ArtBistro

Education >> Browse Articles >> Education and Art

Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Graphic Design

A Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design is a professional degree that will prepare you for the professional workplace of a designer. The first year of your program will give you a foundation of visual art skills such as drawing, 3-dimensional design, color, composition, and some computer aided design. In the second year you will typically explore different types of design typography, graphic design, illustration, animation, and other computer aided design. After the first two years, you choose a focus. The last two years of classes concentrate on that particular focus. You will graduate with a focused and professional portfolio that will help you to land the job you desire. The BFA degree is awarded by a college or university after completion of a minimum number of academic units, with a specific number of units in the major focus.

A Bachelor of Arts Degree in graphic design is the basic degree for becoming a designer. It is similar to a BFA except you do not choose a focus of study. For a BA, you will take upper division classes in a variety of different design specialties. This degree is preferable to many students and does not typically take as long to complete as a BFA. Either degree is a stepping stone toward a Master of Fine Art degree.

A Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design typically takes four years to complete as a full-time student. Part-time programs and online degrees allow for flexibility and can increase or decrease the amount of time it takes to complete the degree requirements.

A Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design will most likely increase your salary. A designer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree can make up to $30,000 more a year than a designer with an Associate degree. Plus, career opportunities open up for those with Bachelor degrees. Job applicants with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design will have a competitive advantage over candidates without this degree.

Continue reading on next page.

---