Graphic Art and Design Associate's Degree Program Education Reference

Graphic Art and Design Associate's Degree Program

With a Graphic Art and Design Associate’s Degree graduates are prepared for a career in fields such as graphic art, illustration, graphic design, or similar careers. Coursework for a Graphic Art and Design Associate’s Degree includes classes such as introduction to printing, design fundamentals, copy making, and more.

Graphic Art and Design Associate’s Degree Program Profile

In this degree program, students combine acquired skills of graphic arts-printmaking, illustrating, drawing, and other skills with knowledge of graphic design. Programs typically offer the option of specializing in a specific area such as and emphasis in web-based graphics, and often contain extensive hands-on training and experience in the production of artwork.

Career Options for a Graphic Art and Design Associate’s Degree

Typical Employment

Graduates with a Graphic Art and Design Associate’s Degree are well prepared for a career in the production or design of graphics and art. Below is a list of some careers that are typically pursued by graduates from a Graphic Art and Design Associate’s Degree Program, followed by the median annual income of each job as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) for the year 2004:

  • Graphic Artist & Illustrator: $38,060
  • Graphic Designer: $38,030
  • Multi-Media Artist & Animator: $50,360

Employment Outlook

According to the BLS reports, the employment opportunities for graphic artists and illustrators is expected to grow about as fast as the national average until 2014. The growth of the field for graphic designers, multi-media artists and animators will continue to increase at an average rate.

Graphic Art and Design Associate’s Degree Program Specifics

Typical Courses

While pursuing this degree, students usually take classes such as: Introduction to Design

  • Printmaking
  • Illustration
  • Drawing
  • Color theory
  • Digital graphics

Skills Obtained

While studying for a Graphic Art and Design Associate’s Degree students learn how to turn artistic ability into professional-quality artwork and how to present this art in a compelling and informative way according to employer preference and industry standards.