How to Get a Degree in Graphic Design Online
Have you wanted to earn a degree in graphic design, but can’t due to time constraints? You’re not the only one – for millions of Americans, the time commitment of being a full time student makes pursuing a graphic design degree, or any degree, impossible. Talented people who just happen to be holding down full time jobs or have family responsibilities have long been blocked off from career advancement.
Luckily, this is 2010, and online schooling has gone from trend to tradition. Fully accredited degree programs from universities all around the country are catering to the needs of students who have the drive and passion for graphic design, if not the time. This website – Graphic Design Online Degrees.com – is here to help you cut through the online noise and find the great school you’re looking for. What follows is some information about two of our favorite graphic design degree programs
The Academy of Art University Online (Founded in 1921)
In addition to it’s Online Award of Completion Program, the Academy of Art University Online offers three levels of degree for aspiring graphic designers: a Master of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts or Associate of Arts degree are all available through online course study.
Students develop finely hones abilities in packaging, branding and identity, motion graphics, web design, print mediums and typography. Here are just some of the career opportunities available to you at the Academy of Art University:
- Corporate and Brand Identity
- Website Design
- Motion Graphics
- Multimedia
- Package Design
- Print & Collateral
In addition, Academy of Art University graduates often go on to perform graphic design work for today’s top businesses and firms, such as:
- Addison
- Apple
- Arias & Associates
- Addis
- Axion Design
- Broom & Broom
- Cahan & Associates
- CF Napa
- Enterprise IG
- The Ideas Group
- Interbrand
- Landor Associates
- MarchFirst
- Michael Osborne Design
- Microsoft
- Oracle
- Primo Angeli
- Sony
The Academy of Art University was founded in 1921 by Richard S. Stephens. Having just been hired on as creative director for the famous Sunset Magazine, Mr. Stephens started the academy with a vision of bringing the principles of good fine art and design to students from around the world. This year, while celebrating the academy’s 80th anniversary, the Academy of Art University has nearly 16,000 enrolled students, making it the largest private design and art university in the USA. Now, let’s take a look at the four levels of study offered by the Academy of Art University in the field of graphic design.
Online Award of Completion Level Study
The Academy of Art University’s online award of completion is designed to personally enrich knowledge seekers looking for the basic knowledge and skills inherent to the graphic design profession.
Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts in Graphic Design
The Associate of Arts in Graphic Design program focuses on strategic problem solving, concept development, technique mastery and verbal presentation in an environment that spurs innovation and creative growth.
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh (Founded in 1931)
One of the finest universities in the entire country to study graphic design at is the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh offers Bachelor’s, Associate’s and Diploma level courses in Graphic Design, Web Design, Digital Design, Media Arts & Animation, Photography, Web Design & Interactive Media and Game Art & Design – all fields offering invaluable skills and training to the aspiring graphic designer!
Because there are a lot of scam online university websites out there, let’s take a moment to assess the Art Institute of Pittsburgh’s accreditation. Established in 1921, the Art Institute of Pittsburgh has been a vibrant and important artistic academic center for over 80 years. Their newly opened downtown campus, just a hop across the Golden Triangle, is a sprawling complex, with a main building on Pittsburgh’s famous Boulevard of the Allies. Professors at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh comprise some of the top talent from across the globe, and their graphic art curriculum is industry focused, offering you the skills you’ll need to work in computer graphics, production and computer imaging. Additionally, the Art Institute of Pittsburgh’s graphic design course
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh made history earlier in the decade, becoming the first 2 year associate’s degree granting school to successfully earn bachelor’s degree-granting status from the Pennsylvania State Department. As a potential online student, this is fantastic news: now, you can earn a fully accredited bachelor’s degree in graphic design without leaving the house.
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh can help you prepare for jobs in the following fabulous fields:
- Production Artist
- Graphic Designer
- Computer Artist
- Corporate Communications Coordinator
- Assistant Art Director
- Production Artist
- Graphic Designer
And much much more! To get competitive, high paying jobs like these, the Art Institute of Pittsburgh offers top of the line training. Here’s a list of the courses available at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh:
- Professional Development
- Drawing
- Color Theory
- Interactive Portfolio Design
- Perspective
- Photography
- Internship or Program Elective
- Freshman Studies
- Life Drawing
- Concept Development
- Typography
- History and Analysis of Design
- Digital Image Manipulation
- Graphic Symbolism
- Design Principles
- Mixed Media
- Advanced Typography
- Electronic Design
- Digital Image Manipulation II
- Digital Illustration
- Corporate Identity
- Dimensional Design
- Art Direction
- Design and Technology
- Intermediate Illustration
- Design Team Production
- Foundations of Electronic Production
- Design Marketing
- Contemporary Typography
- Packaging Graphics
- Editorial Illustration
- Advertising Design
- Fundamentals of Web
- Portfolio Preparation for Graphic Design
- Communication Design
- Basic Web Animation
- Portfolio
- Digital Illustration II
- Basic Web Animation
- Graphic Illustration
- Experimental Typography
- Advanced Life Drawing
- Web Animation II
- Advanced Computer Graphics
- Environmental Graphics
- Airbrush Basics
- Airbrush Techniques
- Dynamic Digital Illustration
- Information Graphics
- Advanced Illustration
- Conceptual Imagery
- Painting
- Advertising Design II
- Digital Photography II
- Design Studio I
- Design Studio II
Finally, and I repeat this because it’s important: The Art Institute of Pittsburgh is fully accredited through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The Art Institute of Pittsburgh is also authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to distribute Bachelor of Science and Associate of Science degrees to graduates.
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