Graphic Design Courses
Graphic design in and of itself refers to the creation of a design concept with a specific purpose targeted to a certain audience. A computer graphic artist uses various computer-based techniques for the same purpose of creating art for a specific campaign, advertising effort or artistic endeavor. The field, by nature, is a visual presentation of art. Common uses of graphic design that can be created by a computer include: various publications such as newspapers, magazines and websites, identity such as logos and branding, advertising and product packaging. Today, most computer graphic artists do work that appears on online or is used for various forms of online marketing.
Graphic Design Schools
- American InterContinental University
- DeVry University
- Full Sail University
- International Academy of Design and Technology
Getting Started
You will need certain qualities if you want to seriously become a computer graphic artist. The most important of these qualities is some degree of creativity. You do not necessarily have to be a great artist, but you should have a basic knowledge of computer-based graphic design programs. This doesn’t mean you have to know how to create everything from scratch. There are plenty of graphic artists who take elements from other sources to create something unique or put a fresh touch on an existing design.
Narrow Your Focus
It helps to narrow down your focus before you go about obtaining a degree or certificate. If you are going to be a computer graphic artist, obviously you will be working on a computer at some point. It is important to realize that there are different ways to pursue a career in this field. You may end up in a more structured environment where you work as a team to solve a specific problem or work on a certain project. You may consider working in the television or exclusively with web-based design solutions such as web pages or social networks.
Education
Talent is a good start, but you also need a certificate or degree if you want to make a career out of it. You won’t even get your foot in the door if you haven’t completed some graphic design related program. A degree or certificate is not really a reflection of your talent, but it does show that you have a basic knowledge of the field. Even if you are working independently as a computer graphic artist, you need some sort of training if you hope to attract clients. You will find many graphic design schools throughout North America and abroad. Almost all graphic arts schools or programs focus on computer design since digital technology now dominates the industry.
Choosing a Course/Program
You can find online courses or courses through your local university or community college. It is important to know what slant a particular program has before signing up. Some programs focus specifically on marketing and advertising, while others focus on Internet design or multimedia efforts. Make sure you select a program or course that reflects your interests. A certificate program takes about 1-2 years to complete. A longer-term program where you are earning a degree may take 3-4 years to complete.
Job Market
The whole landscape for graphic designers has changed, especially for a computer graphic artist. Devices like iPads and smart phones mean that you are no longer designing solely for information that will be accessed with a traditional computer. Some of your graphic designs may be geared towards clients who need visuals for their apps or other computer programs. You may end up designing graphics for the latest video game or the latest game app. Most programs do feature some type of career placement as graduation or completion of the certificate program approaches. Do a little research and find out what the percentage is in terms of job placement for the program or school you plan to attend. Many schools offering a graphic arts program have connections within the industry.
The graphic arts community tends to be supportive as well. Once you get your foot in the door, you are likely to find plenty of networking opportunities where you can meet others in the industry and make connections that just might pay off down the road. The job market, as a whole, looks good for the computer graphic artist. Technology is growing at a rapid pace. Social networks and apps are expanding our reliance on all things computer related. A computer graphic artist with the right blend of creativity, skills and training is likely to be in demand now and in the future for some time to come.
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