Online Print Design Degrees
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Print design is an exciting career for people who are both creativity and business savvy. Projected career growth in print design is higher than average, but it is a competitive field. There are many emerging designers coming out of universities and jobs may be tough to find. The salary level for print designers is on par with other fields that require a degree.
Print designers work very hard and they work with all types of people from creative directors to photographers to CEOs of companies. Print designers must have strengths in math and business as well as art. Designers must not only be familiar with concepts of art and design, but also with the computer aided design software programs, math, business and advertising techniques. Print designers need to adhere to strict deadlines and work with multiple publications and printers to achieve their desired final product.
The education to become a staff-level print designer in a design firm is typically at least a bachelor's degree. Occasionally, entry level print designers may only have an associate degree, however, experience will need to be substituted for education.
Print designers work in many different industries, including advertising firms, real estate offices, specialized design services and magazine and newspaper. Many print designers are self-employed, and many more do contract work to supplement their regular income.
Answers to Your Questions
Featured Accredited Schools Offering Online Print Design Degrees
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Learn more about Academy of Art University Online
Career Specializations
- Commercial and Industrial Designers: Commercial and industrial designers work with a team of scientists and engineers to create functioning goods and services. These designers typically work with toys, furniture, tools and cars.
- Advertising: Print designers do ad layout and creative design, and even copy write different advertisements. This specialization combines print design and graphic design.
- Prepress Technicians: Prepress technicians work for printers and make sure that the designs are being printed correctly. Prepress technicians need to have an understanding of print design and know how to operate huge printing devices on a large scale.
Degree Levels Available For Print Designers
- Associate degree: 2 years to complete
- Bachelor's degree: 4 years to complete
- Master's degree: 1.5-2 years to complete
- Doctorate degree: 3-7 years to complete
Education and Certification Requirements
You can get a degree in print design at every level ranging from an associate degree to a doctorate degree. The more advanced your degree, the more doors your education will open up for you within your career.
The associate degree in print design takes around two years to complete, and may be offered by art and design institutes, junior colleges, or traditional universities. These degrees will include courses in design basics, through courses in print and graphic design, math, business, and design theory.
Students who are interested in launching into a more advanced design career may be more interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree in print design. Typically, an internship is also a requirement for your bachelor's degree program which shows employers that you can enter into a print design career with ease. Courses include art theory, computer aided design, marketing, design concepts, advertising, materials, and professional skills.
A master's degree or doctoral degree in print design is a high degree that will help you land a mid-level design job right out of school. Master's degrees typically let students specialize in a particular design area such as advertising, graphic design, or prepress work.
Some design schools are now offering doctorate degrees in print design as well, which require the student to do significant new research into an area of design. Both a master's and doctorate degree will prepare you for a career in print design as well as a higher education teaching career, if that is the path you choose.
Salary Information
Salary information throughout print design will vary based on a number of factors, including location, education and experience level.
Those with an associate degree or bachelor's degree will likely be seeking out entry level positions and will likely earn less money. The lowest 10-25% of print designers earn $26,110 through 35,000 a year. Those with employed with larger design firms and in bigger cities have higher earning potential. Many print designers are self employed and will have more irregular earnings.
Designers with a master's degree or bachelor's degree and some professional experience can earn $32,600 through $56,620 per year. After years of professional experience, it is possible to move into various management positions and advance to the highest earnings bracket of $95,000 and up, earned by the top 10% of print designers. (BLS)
Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for print designers is high and growing faster than average. The growth of careers is expected to increase by 13 percent, as fast as the average for all occupations from 2008 to 2018, as demand for print design continues to increase from advertisers and computer design firms.
The higher level your education is, the more likely you will get a job after graduation. Because of the skill of designers entering the field, job competition is tough and getting more competitive. High levels of education and experience are required to be able to land a job with a prominent firm.
Individuals with graphic design, advertising, business, and marketing skills are likely to gain employment. Print design employers want well-rounded individuals with keen business sense. (BLS)
Related Careers
- Advertising Design: Advertising design trains students how to work with advertising and design. Courses include print design, graphic design, typography, copy writing and computer animation. Graduates will be prepared to freelance, work for newspapers or advertising firms. People wanting a career in advertising should be creative with a strong mind for business.
- Visual Communications: Visual Communications trains students how to present ideas and how to interpret design. Courses include drawing, illustration, graphic design, print design and advertising. Visual communications is theory based and more about why people interpret things the way that they do. People with a degree in visual communications typically go into an advertising or marketing field.
