Online Art & Design Degrees
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Art & design is one of the most popular disciplines for students who want to express creativity in their daily work. The field includes painting, interior design, architecture, and graphic design, to name a few. All subjects are a bit different in what medium they use, but the fact remains that all are artistic expressions and offer challenging and rewarding careers. Furthermore, many people make a good living being an artist, and job outlook is positive overall, but salaries do vary greatly based on specialization.
Art & design means different things to different people, but most people think of an artist with a paint brush and a canvas, and while this is one aspect of the field, it goes much deeper than this. Design can range from interior design, which may involve choosing the colors and layouts of various rooms to fashion design, which deals with the design of women's or men's clothing. Today, with computers and various design software programs available, many artists design and do much of their work on a computer rather than physically drawing and sketching. As more artists continue to rely on computers, computer programs in turn have become more intricate and powerful.
Some of the areas that rely most on computers are video game and graphic design. Therefore, it is vital that these artists have access to the best computer programs out there. However, even painters and sculptors often use computers, making mock-ups and playing with visuals digitally before moving to the physical canvas.
Featured Accredited Schools Offering Online Art & Design Degrees
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- Associate
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Certification
Learn more about American InterContinental University
What are some of the specializations within this degree program?
- Graphic Design: Many people specialize in graphic design, which typically deals with working on a computer and various software applications to create different visuals for clients. For instance, graphic designers are often in charge of designing company logos, 3D animation, or multimedia pieces.
- Fashion Design: Fashion designers use clothing as their medium. They often strive to create new trends, or to produce work that fits current trends. They often use sophisticated computer software programs to create their ideas.
- Advertising: Many people do not think of advertising as part of the art & design industry, but this is a very important specialization that is available. Think about all the fliers and other advertisements that companies send to customers. These are created by artists that work in advertising.
- Web Design: Typically those in this area use web design and graphic design interchangeably, but web design focuses on creating websites for businesses versus graphic design, which can be totally offline, like in the case of designing a book cover. Web designers need to understand concepts like color, illustration, animation, and layout techniques.
What degree levels are available?
- Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
- Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
- Master's Degree: 2 years to complete
- Doctorate Degree: 3 to 7 years to complete
What are the educational and certification requirements?
Depending on your field of study, there may or may not be extra certification requirements after graduation, but in general, certification is not required for art and design degree graduates. Degrees can be received for all levels in art & design, but it is vital to ensure that the program you are considering has the proper accreditation through the National Association of Schools of Art and Design or the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. Typically, when the program is accredited by either of these, it also has the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, which is a regional accreditation.
Two exceptions to the general certification rule for art and design graduates are the fields of architecture of interior design, which do require licensing for professional jobs. The interior design exam is administered through the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, and before designers can sit for the exam, they must have demonstrated that they have six years of education, as well as experience working as an interior designer. Graduates who have studied architectural design can also take the National Council of Building Designer Certification. As with any certification, students must attend and graduate from properly accredited degree programs before receiving it.
What kinds of classes will I be expected to take?
The courses necessary to complete a degree in art and design will vary for each school and specific degree focus, but below is a broad overview of the major courses within the art & design family:
- Applied Arts & Design: Focuses would be on computer design, graphic design, illustration, interior design, photography, and the like. Classes would range from drawing to computer science, and CAD to color history, with a variety of similar courses making up the bulk of each student's focus.
- Architecture: Architectural history, building science, and landscape architecture would be mainstays in the field. Art history courses would be required, as well as horticulture and construction management.
- Art: Art history, administration, and therapy, along with the fine arts and museum studies would be potential focuses for the student within the art & design spectrum. Theories of art & design, contemporary art & design, and thesis work would be a large part of this focus.
- Film, Television, and Video: Script writing, producing, directing, and acting would fall under this category. A Master of Fine Art degree will offer courses in screenwriting fundamentals, classical film theory, art & technique of filmmaking, as well as many other diverse and unique courses.
- Performing Arts: This focus would include dance, theater, drama, and music. Courses would include acting methodologies, dramatic theory and criticism, costume design, an internship, and a thesis project.
If I pursue this program online, will I be required to complete any on-site training?
In general, no, but many schools offer options for a hybrid combination of online and in-class/studio coursework. Depending on your focus within the art & design field, many schools will in fact have entirely online course study for the student looking to work around a busy schedule without having to fit in a daily commute on top of other stresses.
What are some other degrees that are related to this program?
- Construction Management: The degree helps to prepare students for a supervisory position in the construction of homes, businesses, bridges, hospitals, and everything in between; they oversee the initial plans, building, and completion of the project.
- Typography: Design page layouts, formats, and text on consoles as a means to incorporate technology with art & design.
- Marketing: Promotional materials are designed by you in an attempt to increase customer base. Both writing skills and drawing may be used.
- Copywriting: Similar to marketing, copywriting allows for the student to imagine and incorporate promotional materials in attempt to find a larger audience for the product and/or company.
- Industrial Design: This degree will entail a focus on how to create a variety of products that will appeal to the masses while, at the same time, combine both art and science to achieve the desired results.
