Students who are interested in design can choose from a great selection of undergraduate degree programs. Depending on the time and resources you have available to devote to your studies, you can earn a professional certificate, an associate's degree, or a bachelor's degree in the design field of your choice. Undergraduate programs in design take between one to four years to complete depending upon the level of degree you choose to earn.
Benefits of an Undergraduate Degree in Design
An undergraduate degree in design is a great way to start your career in a design-related field. Whether your interests are in interior design, graphic design, game design, or any other kind of design, post-secondary education is an important first step in beginning a career. Most fields of design require technical training and many employers are not willing to provide this training on the job. That's why earning an undergraduate degree in design is so important to pursuing a career in design. Depending on the level of degree you earn you can greatly increase your earning potential, improve your standing in the job market, and set yourself up for future promotions with an undergraduate degree in design.
Types of Undergraduate Design Programs
Undergraduate programs include professional certificates, associate's degrees, and bachelor's degrees. You can earn any one of these undergraduate degrees in a variety of design fields including:
- Architecture
- Computer Animation
- Fashion Design
- Game Design
- Graphic Design
- Industrial Design
- Interior Design
- Multimedia
- Photography
- Web Design
The further you go with your education, the more specific jobs you'll be able to qualify for within each design area. You also earn higher pay in each of these fields with a higher level degree.
Career Options with an Undergraduate Degree in Design
A number of great career options are open to people with undergraduate degrees in design. Some design fields look for job candidates with higher level degrees, but in most cases a bachelor's degree, a professional certificate, or an associate's degree is enough to get you in the door. Popular career options pursued by people with undergraduate degrees in design include:
- Graphic Artist
- Web Designer
- Art Director
- Artist
- Web Developer
- Marketing Coordinator
- Product Designer
- Animator
- Illustrator
Entry level salaries for these positions are typically in the low $30,000 range. Over the course of your career, you can eventually make over $100,000 per year with an undergraduate degree in design.
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