Are you an imaginative soul, with a great passion for art and communication? Then, studying graphic design can be a great career option for you. This occupation is ideal if you dream of developing your creativity professionally.
If you don’t know what a graphic designer does, you should know that, above all, their work is an art of vital importance in the world of marketing, advertising, web programming, multimedia production and even video game development.
Keep reading this article where we answer 6 frequently asked questions about the graphic design career: what it is about, what is its study program, what are the job opportunities available for graduates and more. Find out!
1. What is the Graphic Design degree about?
Graphic design is a art of planning. the role of a designer is to communicate messages and ideas visually.
For example, think about the logos of big brands: Coca Cola, Nike, McDonald’s or Apple . What do they have in common? They were all the result of the work of a designer. Yes, from the choice of colors, typography, figures and the way the message is communicated.
Maybe a bitten apple seems easy to create, but in reality, there is a very complex ideation process behind it. In fact, a good logo manages to simplify the values of a brand, represent it and remain in the consumer’s memory, to the extent that a glance is enough to recognize which company it is.
However, by studying graphic design you will not only learn the theories and fundamentals of designing brand and product logos. You can also create all types of visual material such as book covers, movie posters, website interfaces, images for advertising campaigns, among others.
2. What is studied in the Graphic Design degree?
The objective of the graphic design career is to communicate messages and ideas through a visual medium, using different graphic and textual elements as tools. To do this, various disciplines are studied that vary depending on the educational institution chosen.
In general, in all academic programs the fundamentals of design and its basic elements are studied: textures, colors, shapes, points, lines and spaces. In addition, the study of graphic design covers four large areas: technology, management and humanities, visual communication and design.
Therefore, depending on the curricular program and the educational institution, some of the subjects you could take are:
- Graphic composition
- visual thinking
- Marketing
- Illustration
- Editorial design
- Strategic advertising
- Digital tools for design
- Typography
No matter where you decide to study graphic design, you will have the skills to create visual projects from the fundamentals . You will also develop your creativity, responsibility and critical sense. And, in addition, you will know how to properly use technological tools and design software .
3. How many years does the Graphic Design degree last?
The degree in Graphic Design lasts approximately 4 years , although this may vary depending on the university and the country where you study. Programs of this duration are known as Bachelor Degrees, and are structured in a way that gives you a solid theoretical basis to enter the job market.
Now, if you are looking for a shorter program, you can opt for a diploma or vocational course . These typically last 1 to 2 years, although there are some as long as 3 years.
The advantage of these courses is that they are practice-oriented, so once you complete your studies, you will have already had work experience. Plus, another advantage of these short courses is that you can study them in another country! We will talk about this below.
4. What are the best countries to study Graphic Design abroad?
Although you can study graphic design online or in your home country, consider that there are destinations with a high educational quality recognized internationally. This, in addition to benefiting you academically, will allow you to live a unique experience that will help you grow not only professionally, but personally.
If you are looking for learning beyond academics, studying abroad may suit you. Nowadays, there are many countries that offer graphic design programs. We’ll inform you about the most intriguing ones down below.
Canada
What comes to mind when you think of Canada ? Modern cities, temperate forests, snowy landscapes and an environment full of calm and peace? It’s hard not to be attracted to it, especially if you like nature, but also big cities.
Canada is one of the best countries to study because of its high academic standards and design schools. As if that were not enough, it has a very interesting art scene that will inspire you and open doors to interesting job opportunities.
Australia
If you like art, but you are also passionate about the beach and surfing, Australia is your place. This surfing destination par excellence is not only characterized by its big waves, its sunny climate and its super relaxing lifestyle. Their VET courses to study graphic design are also known.
These allow you to study and work at the same time, which is very convenient to pay for your stay in the country. After completing the course, you can specialize with a Bachelor Degree at one of the best universities in Australia. The coolest thing is that you do it surrounded by the sun, sand and sea.
USA
It is a fact that some of the most prestigious universities in the world are located in the United States . Therefore, studying there is the American dream of many students, above all, because it is a destination with many opportunities to prosper.
In addition, this country has hundreds of art galleries and museums that will inspire you, not to mention the design studios where you can start your career. Keep in mind that if you decide to study in the United States, you will also enjoy a very busy nightlife, so fun is guaranteed.
Ireland
Would you like to become a graphic designer in Europe? Well, in Ireland you find quality of life, excellent educational options and a lot of inspiration , since this country is magical in every way.
The culture of Ireland is very interesting, not only because of its castles and legends, but also because of how the Irish live, who love to have fun in pubs and enjoy themselves with friends. Not to mention the job opportunities in startups and multinationals.
5. What is the salary of a graphic designer?
We know that this question is the one that interests you the most, however, you should know that there is no universal salary for graphic designers. The amount depends on different aspects such as the working conditions of each country, the company you work for and your previous experience.
Therefore, the only thing we can do is offer you an estimate to give you an idea of how much you can earn. Depending on the country in which you are interested in working, you will earn more or less the following monthly figures.
- Canada: 5,000 Canadian dollars (between 3,600 and 3,800 USD).
- Australia: 4,700 Australian dollars (between 3,100 and 3,200 USD).
- Mexico: 8,000 Mexican pesos (between 400 and 550 USD).
- Colombia: 1,600,000 Colombian pesos (between 350 and 500 USD).
- Spain: 1,700 euros (1800 to 2000 USD).
- Argentina : 85,000 Argentine pesos (390 to 600 USD).
Remember
The salary depends on the economic conditions of each nation, years of experience, work hours, tasks to be performed, available vacancies and the city in which you want to work.
6. Where can a graphic designer work?
With the rise of the digital environment, the field of work for graphic designers expanded even further. Once you graduate from your degree, you will be able to work as an independent professional in the public or private environment .
For example, educational institutions, cultural organizations and government institutions need professionals to take care of the design of their websites and all the graphic pieces they require.
Additionally, as a graphic designer you can seek employment in digital marketing agencies, where you will help create visual elements for online advertising and social networks based on the brands’ identity. You can also work in:
- Advertising agencies
- Publishing companies
- Media
- Web development companies
We live in a world full of images and visual stimuli. All the advertising you see on social media (and even the interface of this blog) is the creation of a graphic designer. This is why the demand for design professionals is far from over.
