Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Graphic Design

Online Bachelor's Degrees in Graphic Design

Graphic design is a specialty that is both creative (translating ideas into original visual concepts) and technical (designing). That is, this is a specialty that combines art and technology. Often, specialists in this field work in a variety of fields, including marketing and advertising, publishing, digital communications, and more. In particular, this can be advertising design or advertising and marketing design (creating visually attractive marketing materials for a brand or company and their promotion).

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Where can I get an online bachelor's degree in graphic design?

Many schools offer the opportunity to earn an online bachelor’s degree in graphic design. But every applicant must understand that studying this discipline can be rather difficult, especially in terms of homework. Luckily, you can find graphic design experts at EssayShark. They will help you with tasks of any complexity.

Great Britain

The specialty of a graphic designer is usually obtained in schools (faculties) of art and design. For example, you can obtain an online bachelor’s degree at Manchester Metropolitan University, at the famous Manchester School of Art – one of the oldest art schools in the U.K., at the School of Digital Arts SODA. There are also excellent graphic design programs at the Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts (CSVPA). In addition to undergraduate programs, CSVPA has a one-year preparation program for entering a British university – Foundation. 

USA

There are many universities in the U.S. where you can major in graphic design, but you need to take into account the fact that, as a rule, a major in graphic design is not a STEM major.

 

STEM majors – graduates of American universities receive the right to legal employment in the United States for three years for highly qualified specialists in the fields of natural sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM includes majors in engineering (all types), computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, geology, ecology, astrophysics, economics (as a science), astronomy, psychology, architecture, statistics, etc.

 

Graphic Design B.A. is available at Suffolk University Boston, Oregon State University, and Illinois State University. By the way, the ranking state university Illinois State University has a bachelor’s degree program in Creative Technology, which is STEM and allows you to work in the field of web and graphic design.

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Canada

The design industry in Canada has an impressive market size of $1.6 billion in 2023, and the demand for graphic designers and illustrators is steadily increasing. To provide the industry with the necessary number of specialists, many Canadian universities have programs in the fields of graphic design, animation, 3D animation, and web & UX design. Thus, the top University of Toronto offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Visual Studies. Graphic design programs are also available at Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology, Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology, and Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. 

Professions related to graphic design

When choosing this profession, it makes sense to consider professions related to graphic design. These are Web Design, Multimedia Design, and User Experience Design (U.I. Design and UX Design). These specialties are more technical, although they are also creative. And these specialties will often be more highly paid. It makes sense to consider them too when choosing a future specialty, especially since now all specialties, provided they are combined with modern technologies, are becoming the most popular and in demand. 

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Web Design and Web Development

A direction close to graphic design is web design. There are many similarities between graphic design and web design; they are closely related, but they are not the same thing. Both graphic designers and web designers work with visual elements and digital products. However, web design skills are different from graphic design skills; web design is closer to web development. Strictly speaking, graphic design refers to visual communication and not the creation of products such as a mobile application or website. Most graphic designers are not associated with web development, but web design is closely related to development, and a web designer must know some technical aspects (programming skills) required to create web products. But at the same time, Web Design is not Web Development.

Where can I get an online bachelor's degree in Web and User Experience Design?

These specialties are available in many universities; for example, at Illinois State University, a web design specialty is available in the Creative Technologies: Interdisciplinary Technologies program, which is STEM. The Interdisciplinary Technologies program is a completely unique program that involves learning the concepts of mobile, web programming, UI/UX, and motion graphics, plus many electives in various creative/technical fields, including audio, electronic music, music production, AR/VR/XR and game design. After receiving a bachelor’s degree, you can work in the following areas:

 

  • 3D design/engineering
  • Advertising
  • AR/VR design
  • Animation
  • Digital artist
  • Graphic design
  • Film and video editing
  • Marketing
  • UI/UX design
  • Multimedia design & production
  • Web development. 

 

And most importantly, it is a STEM program.

 

At Canada’s Simon Fraser University, the bachelor’s degree program in Interactive Arts and Technology has three concentrations: design, interactive systems, and media arts. After graduation, it allows you to work as a graphic designer, digital designer, and Web Designer.

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Multimedia design

Multimedia designers create animated images and videos and develop computer graphics using artistic and computer animation programs. Multimedia designers work in a variety of fields, including television or film, set design, and video game development. A career in multimedia design requires creative thinking and imagination to develop innovative designs. Typically, multimedia designers are required to have a bachelor’s degree in visual design, multimedia digital art, or web design.


In the USA, the top-rated Oregon State University (OSU) has a rare program in this area of digital creative arts, and what is important is that it is a STEM program that leads to work in such areas as:

  • Broadcasting
  • Production
  • Content manager
  • UX design
  • Game design
  • Editor
  • Journalist.

What do you need to study graphic design?

Portfolio

Universities have different requirements for applicants to creative professions. However, regardless of the school you choose to study graphic design, you need to prepare a portfolio and work on developing your creative skills. It is advisable that upon admission, the portfolio should contain at least 10 – 15 works. Ranking universities may request more than 20 – 25 works.

Language exams for foreigners

When planning to study graphic design abroad, you must take into account the requirement to pass language exams, such as IELTS or TOEFL. These exams will assess your language proficiency and ensure successful mastery of the material throughout your studies. Mastering the English language will also be an essential tool in your design career abroad.

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Conclusion


In conclusion, pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in graphic design offers a diverse array of opportunities globally, spanning institutions in Great Britain, the USA, and Canada. The intersection of creativity and technology in this field is evident, allowing graduates to explore avenues in advertising, marketing, web design, user experience, and multimedia design.

 

Universities like Manchester Metropolitan University, Suffolk University Boston, and the University of Toronto, among others, offer comprehensive programs, while emphasizing the importance of a robust portfolio and language proficiency for international students.

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Online Bachelor's Degrees in Design

If you found this post useful you might like to read these post about Graphic Design Inspiration.

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