Guide to Art & Design Degree Programs

1. What Will You Study in an Art & Design Degree Program?

As an art and design major you can receive instruction in the principles of lighting, design layout, art history, color theory, design principles, illustration, graphics, computer software design programs, and more. Other degree programs related to your art and design major may vary according to your specific interests and school curriculum.

Your courses can help you to develop and nurture your talent and prepare you for the job market by giving you the career training necessary to qualify for positions in art and design. Art courses provide the essential knowledge and understanding of how art was used and produced throughout history. This background in art gives you the necessary foundation for developing your own artistic style.

The design aspect of this major can enhance and strengthen your creative design skills by familiarizing you with design theory, how art and graphics are related through design, and understanding the connection between art and function.

2. Which Characteristics Do Art & Design Majors Typically Possess?

Students who enroll as art and design majors should have a deep sense of appreciation for the aesthetics displayed in nature, the environment, and art. These sensibilities provide inspiration for new ideas and techniques for budding artists and designers. At the heart of all of this is the strong motivation for self-expression and creativity.

Art and design majors are open to original concepts and strive to incorporate what they learn in the classroom for use in practical applications. This process of creativity often exhibits itself in distinctive styles and forms that are unique to each student.

Students in art and design enjoy thinking "outside the box" and are intuitive in their approach to invention. They like to experiment with new methods and styles in producing art, but are also mindful of the parameters necessary for critical design. This fertile environment, that is supportive of new ideas, serves to encourage an open forum for students and teachers to share, compare, and discuss the elements of art and its importance in the process of design.

3. Which Specific Careers Can Art & Design Majors Pursue?

A major in art and design opens a wide range of career options. Some students prefer to specialize in a particular discipline during their studies, while others go on to finish their degrees to pursue one of the many occupations available within the scope of the liberal arts.

Some of the career choices open to art and design majors are in the categories of:

• Art Direction
• Fashion Design
• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Artists
• Interior Design

Art and design majors can branch out to several other disciplines related to their studies such as Web design, photography, and animation. Online degree programs are available to individuals who need maximum flexibility in scheduling their classes, or have special circumstances that make online education a viable alternative to traditional campus settings.

Graduates with a liberal arts degree have consistently shown strong traits associated with creative thinking, problem solving and effective communication skills; these attributes are particularly attractive to employers in business, management, or services.

This marketability is an added bonus to graduates in art and design who may wish to expand their career horizons outside of their original major or choose to switch career paths at a later time.

4. Which Well-Known People in the Industry Have Completed Art & Design Degree Programs Before Becoming Successful?

Norman Rockwell. One of the most renowned illustrators of the 20^th century, Rockwell attended many educational institutions especially geared towards the arts. After graduating high school at the tender age of 14, he went to Chase Art School. From there, he went on to the National Academy of Design, and then to the Arts Student League. In 1961 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts.

Calvin Klein. Klein, whose cutting-edge styles in fashion design are recognized around the world, studied apparel at the famous Fashion Institute of Technology located in Manhattan. He launched his own clothing line in 1968 and quickly sold $50,000 worth of merchandise to a trendy department store chain. His designs have been featured in magazines such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.

5. How Much Do Art & Design Majors Typically Earn in the Various Fields They Can Pursue?

The list of careers art and design majors can qualify for is quite varied because of the flexible nature of this degree. The following data, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is a sampling of the 2008 median annual wage for some of the careers that are available to art and design graduates:

• Art Director: $76,980
• Fashion Designer $61,160
• Artists and Illustrators $56,330
• Interior Designer $44,950
• Graphic Designer $42,400

Since an art and design major is multidisciplinary in nature, some graduates go on to pursue careers as craft artists, painters, sculptors, or multi-media artists.

6. Which Part Of The Country Or World Do Prominent Art & Design Communities Flourish?

The hot spots for various art and design communities are found where favorable conditions exist such as available employment opportunities and community support. The following list shows these various locations and the corresponding career categories.

Fashion. For fashion designers there can be little argument in naming the following cities as world fashion centers. These cities represent the heartbeat of where new fashion trends originate. By following the latest offerings coming from these epicenters of style, art and design students can feel the pulse of this constantly evolving industry. Top designers and their associated companies put down their roots in:

• Paris
• New York
• Rome
• London
• Los Angeles
• Hong Kong
• Tokyo

Art Direction. The career of an art director can encompass different aspects and skills needed in jobs related to film and television, advertising, consumer products, media, print, or specialized design services. In the United States, the highest percentages of art direction jobs are in:

• New York
• Massachusetts
• California
• Washington
• Ohio

Artists and Illustrators. Communities for artists and illustrators thrive in areas where there is strong support for the arts and employment opportunities in media, publishing, print and other related fields. The following metropolitan areas are the top locations where careers in art and illustration are located:

• Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
• Boulder, CO
• Colorado Springs, CO
• San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA
• Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, MD

Interior Design. The hot spots for interior designers are found where design services for architectural firms, building material and supply dealers, furniture businesses, and home remodeling is needed. The following states are where the highest concentrations of interior designers are found:

• District of Columbia
• Utah
• Colorado
• Massachusetts
• Florida

7. What Type Of "Real World" Experience Could You Combine with Your Art & Design Degree Program to Supplement What the Program Teaches You?

A good college education in art and design serves as an excellent source for your career training. In addition to this, there are several things that you can do, while still attending art and design schools, to obtain the needed job experience that many potential employers want from job candidates:

Internships. Contact your school advisor or counselor about internships at design or art firms. These positions are made available to individuals who are still attending school and are in the process of earning their degree. The express purpose of these programs is to provide real job experience to qualified students.

The internships are usually run in conjunction with a school/job program and the participating companies. Although intern positions do not usually pay, the career experience gained offsets the lack of a salary.

Taking on an internship means you can work with professionals who can teach and mentor you in the finer aspects of art and design. You should be in an environment where you can experience, first hand, what it is like to work in a professional setting and doing the associated work that is connected with your internship position.

In some cases, students that do exceptionally well during their internships are called back to work for the firm upon graduation. In other situations, the intern is able to establish a social network within the company, which can later serve to help the former intern to locate job leads.

Short-Term Positions. The best projects and assignments you complete in school can be used as portfolio material to show perspective employers. In addition, you can supplement your examples by doing independent art or design work for family, friends, or local businesses.

There are usually a number of job queries and ads for graphic design, portraiture, illustration, or other related work in your local newspaper. Take advantage of these opportunities for short-term employment and experience.

With the advent of the Internet, businesses place job ads on the World Wide Web in search of individuals who can assist them in their design and art needs. With the convenience of the Internet, a computer, and design software, work can be done for clients regardless of distance or location.

Volunteer Positions. Some nonprofit establishments, religious institutions, and community groups lack the funding for services related to art and design. Volunteering your time and talent to these organizations can be of benefit to you, while also helping others.

The career training you obtain from these various jobs gives you experience in how to deal with customers, meet deadlines, and fulfill the wishes of your clients. These are real-world skills that are valuable to have regardless of the career path you take.

8. What Can An Art & Design Degree Give You That On-The-Job Experience May Not Be Able To?

Whether you earn your degree from a design school degree program or through an online degree distance learning center, the career training you receive in school keeps you up-to-date on the latest methods and developments available in art and design. Technology and software design programs are constantly changing and updated--an art and design degree gives you the proficiency to use these tools of the trade.

Graphic designers who apply for entry level jobs typically need a minimum of a bachelor's degree, while other entry level technical jobs accept an associate's degree. The advantage of formal training from art and design schools becomes very apparent when you realize that the majority of employers seek candidates who hold college degrees.

While talent and skills are important in qualifying for a job, the added advantage of a degree may be the crucial factor in turning the tables in your favor. The best of both possible worlds incorporates job experience with formal education. With experience under your belt, a college degree, and an exceptional portfolio, you can be competitive when applying for careers in art and design.