what course should i take in highschool to be a graphic designer

by Ms. Vernice Goldner II 8 min read

It never hurts to start early in any field, but it is particularly important when it comes to graphic design. While in high school, students should take classes in art history, drawing, graphic arts and website design. They can put their emerging skills to use designing and producing the school newspaper or yearbook.

Graphic Designers - Helpful High School Courses
  • Art.
  • Commercial Art.
  • Computer Applications.
  • Desktop Publishing.
  • Drawing and Painting.
  • Graphic Arts and Printing.
  • Graphic Design.
  • Web Page Design.

Full Answer

What training do you need to become a graphic designer?

How to become a graphic designer with no experience

  • Invest in good equipment. Every graphic designer needs to be equipped with the best possible equipment they can afford. ...
  • Volunteer or intern. As with many disciplines, one of the best ways of learning about graphic design as both a practice and a profession is on the job.
  • Do a course. ...
  • Freelance. ...
  • Figure out a sensible day rate. ...
  • Market yourself. ...

What are the requirements to become a graphic designer?

The Qualifications Needed to Work as a Graphic Designer

  • Job Description. Graphic design used to be a job that focused on print marketing pieces like posters, advertising slicks or product labels.
  • Education Requirements. Education and training requirements for a graphic designer vary by the position sought. ...
  • Industry. The salary expectation for a graphic designer is varied. ...
  • Years of Experience. ...
  • Job Growth Trend. ...

What education is required for a career in graphic designing?

  • Important Facts About This Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree. The best way to begin a career in graphic design is to complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art ...
  • Associate's Degree. An associate's degree in graphic arts focuses primarily on the technical aspects of the work. ...
  • Certificate of Completion. ...

What is the best online school for graphic design?

Universities Offering Online Bachelor’s in Graphic Design Degree Programs

  • Hodges University. ...
  • Kentucky Wesleyan College. ...
  • Lesley University. ...
  • Liberty University. ...
  • Maryland Institute College of Art. ...
  • Maryville University. ...
  • Midway University. ...
  • Minneapolis College of Art and Design. ...
  • National University. ...
  • Pennsylvania State University – World Campus. ...

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What subjects do you need to study to become a graphic designer?

Depending on the institution, this might be a three or four year degree, but all degrees will focus on subjects including:Drawing.Photography.Design Techniques.Art theory.Visual communication theory.Illustration.Digital Design.

How do you become a high school graphic designer?

To get a job teaching high school graphic design, you need to meet your state's minimum teaching certification qualifications, which usually include a bachelor's degree in education or a related field.

Is graphic design hard in high school?

When it comes to the question, are graphic design classes hard? I would say that any class you take will be hard. Graphic design classes require a passion for working visually, exceptional time management, and collaboration.

What is digital graphics in high school?

This course is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills related to the graphic design industry. It is intended to serve as a starting point for several pathways including Digital Media, Graphics and Printing, 3D Animation and Game Development.

What is Adobe visual design class in high school?

Visual Design is a project-based curriculum that develops key digital communication skills such as design, project management, research and communication, and photography, graphic design and illustration, and page layout technical skills using Adobe tools.

Do graphic designers pay well?

The annual average graphic designer salary with experience of 5 years is ₹3.3 Lacs and ranges between ₹ 1.4 Lacs to ₹ 6.5 Lacs. The annual average graphic designer salary with experience of 10 years is ₹ 3.8 Lacs and ranges between ₹ 1.6 Lacs to ₹ 8.0 Lacs.

Does graphic design require math?

Many graphic design undergraduate programs require three to four credits of math as part of degree completion. These courses can include traditional math subjects, such as algebra or calculus.

Is graphic design a good career 2021?

Projected Growth for the Graphic Design Field Careers in graphic design usually fall into one of two categories: Digital graphic design – The field of web design and computer graphics is expecting to grow by 30% in the next 7 to 10 years, creating a strong job market for tech-based designers.

Understanding Graphic Design Tasks

Before you can select specific high school art classes, you first must understand what a career in graphic design entails. In its broad sense, graphic designers plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications problems.

Helpful High School Design Courses

To prepare yourself in the best way possible, you should start taking various art and design classes while attending high school. Additionally, you should take courses that will prepare you for college as well.

Fine & Performing Arts

Art History Drawing, painting, sketching Art portfolio Graphic arts and printing Multimedia Graphic design (No kidding)

What are the courses required for a graphic design degree?

The required courses for a graphic design degree may include courses on working with clients, digital applications, general education courses, and classes in your concentration. Graphic designers use computers and other forms of technology to create products for clients, and as a college student, you can expect to take a variety ...

How many credit hours do you need to take to become a graphic designer?

You will usually take 12 or more credit hours of courses in your concentration in addition to any other required courses. Other concentrations available in graphic design programs include interactive design and 2D design. The following represent a few of the graphic design classes one can expect to encounter that are specifically geared ...

What are the most common languages to learn in a linguistics class?

Foreign Language. Students can typically pick from a wide variety of foreign languages to learn in this popular prep course option. Spanish, French, Latin, and German are among some of the most common choices for expanding horizons in the linguistics area. Computer Science.

The ability to pursue your passion

If you're a creative individual, you might find a career as a graphic designer a fulfilling option. This job allows you to express your creativity every day, creating unique designs for clients that attract attention. When you feel passionate about your job, you enjoy the time you spend working and look forward to your day.

The salary

According to Indeed Salaries, the average base salary for graphic designers is $18.70 per hour. Your salary can vary depending on several factors, including your geographic location, employer, education credentials and level of experience.

The flexibility

While you can look for full-time jobs, you can also begin a freelancing career as a graphic designer. This option often offers more flexibility, allowing you to set your hours and pricing yourself.

Diverse opportunities

Companies and organizations in almost all industries need graphic designers. Whether you work for an agency or company full-time or as a freelance graphic designer, you can find jobs and projects that serve various purposes. You can also choose a specialization depending on your interests and seek training to expand your skill set.

1. A high school diploma or GED

Individuals interested in a graphic design career can begin preparing during high school. Having a diploma or GED is often also a requirement for degree programs, which most employers expect from candidates.

2. A post-secondary degree

Pursuing a career as a graphic designer typically requires at least a post-secondary degree from an accredited program. Individuals can get an associate's degree, which often takes two years to complete, or a four-year bachelor's degree. They can find these programs at various colleges and universities, including in-person and online options.

3. Master's degree

While a master's degree isn't always required for graphic design jobs, it can help candidates advance their careers and skills. Students can find online and in-person options, and a master's program typically takes about two years for full-time students to complete.

What classes do you need to take to become a graphic designer?

Fine Arts Courses. Some colleges prefer you have a solid foundation in the traditional art disciplines before specializing in graphic design. During your freshman and sophomore years, you may be required to take courses such as drawing, painting and sculpture, depending on the school.

What do you need to be a graphic designer?

Even if you're a natural talent, to get a job as a graphic designer, you need a college degree.

Who is the creative team lead at Geek Powered Studios?

“I went into this field thinking that a great designer can create for anyone,” says Shavanna Pinder, creative team lead at Geek Powered Studios. “When in reality, client and designer pairing is much like any other close relationship; styles, temperaments, and values should complement each other.”

Is graphic design a one way street?

Becoming a graphic designer isn’t a one-way street for the rest of your career. It’s a versatile skill and education base that offers opportunity in many different roles. “There are so many avenues within graphic design,” says Casey Mathison, brand experience manager at Marr Media Group. “A graphic designer can mean illustrator, animator, layout artist, website designer, UX designer, etc. It really is a multifaceted career!”

Can you stop learning graphic design?

You never stop learning. Whether you get a graphic design degree or teach yourself graphic design, the initial education is really only the beginning. “You will never stop learning,” Mathison says. “I see this as more of a positive, but it can be daunting trying to keep up with an industry that evolves every day.”.

Is tedium part of graphic design?

Ideally, the two come together often. But Downey says tedium is part of graphic design as much as other careers. “And yet, seeing your artwork out in the world makes all of the not-so-glamorous days worth it.”.

What are the most important classes in high school?

Computer Science. Arguably the most important cluster of classes you can take in high school relates to computer science. This area of study is all about how computers work, the constraints you must endure when working with them, and how to get them to do what you want. Look for classes on: Computer science theory. Algorithms.

What is the best time to start developing games?

Getting Started Developing Games. The barrier to developing games is getting lower, so high school is the perfect time to begin on your portfolio of games. Your portfolio is what employers and colleges will look at as evidence of your ability to design games.

Is art class good for games?

Taking an art class is not only fun and relaxing, but it will give you a competitive edge to employers. If you can choose a class that specializes in digital art or 3D modeling, even better – these skills are immediately transferable to the world of game design.

Digital Applications

  • Many of the courses that you’ll take as a graphic design major include courses on digital applications. The men and women working in this field use a wide range of different software and programs every day that let them create ads that can run along the sides of blogs and on websites, create interactive sites for customers and build marketing campaigns for businesses …
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Preparatory Courses

  • Even if you plan to state your own company or work from home instead of working for a graphic design firm, you still need to work with clients. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for graphic designers is $52,110 per year and this field will grow by 3 percent from 2018 to 2028. Students who do best while working in the field are those who complete a progra…
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Concentration Classes

  • The required courses for a graphic design degree usually include core courses in the concentration that you choose as a freshman. You can pick a concentration that applies to the specific area of graphic design that you want to focus on later. Those studying web designlook at how to build, edit, and renovate websites for clients, while those studyi...
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General Education Courses

  • As much as you love and appreciate art and design, you can’t expect to end your studies with classes focused solely on those areas. Most art and design schools now ask students to take several general education courses that will make them more well rounded. Those courses can include life science, behavioral science, math, and humanities courses. You should expect to tak…
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