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Three Reasons to Get an Online Design Degree

By Clare Kaufman
Learning & Life Columnist

Reason One: There Are Lots of Jobs Out There

The increasing availability of outsourced graphic design jobs--especially in the fields of animation, video game design, and Web design--has fueled interest in online design training programs. Every time a new technology is invented, more career opportunities for graphic and Web designers pop up in the United States and abroad.

Reason Two: You Can Study Online

The same technology that drives career growth for designers also enables them to train and work from home--no matter where that home is. Online programs introduce international students to state-of-the-art technology, and help them develop a portfolio capable of attracting the attention of U.S. and foreign employers.

Reason Three: Your Choices Are Endless

There are many degree and career choices available within the design industry. An online graphic design program offers versatile training in multimedia, Web design, game design, animation, and more. The core of the program is computer-aided design (CAD) training. Students also gain expertise using applications such as Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator, FrontPage, and Macromedia Flash.

Web design degrees, meanwhile, follow a more focused curriculum that emphasizes online visual communications. The curriculum covers Web coding languages such as HTML and Java, 3-D modeling and Web animation, and online marketing.

Graphic and Web design programs are available in various formats, from short certificate programs to four-year bachelor's degrees. The right program for you depends on your career goals:

Certificates offer training in a specific application or skill. Many are intended for design professionals who already have industry experience but need to learn a particular new skill.

Associate's degrees are two-year college programs that require a secondary school diploma or equivalent. An associate's degree provides an introduction to the design field, and allows students to build a portfolio and professional contacts. This program is a good choice for entry-level designers headed for international graphic and Web design jobs.

Bachelor's degrees offer a broader approach to design that incorporates visual art and business coursework. This four-year college degree is the basic qualification for most entry-level design jobs in the United States. International students must have completed secondary school, and may be required to supplement their education with ESL and writing courses.

International students aiming for outsourced jobs may find applied technical training sufficient; those aspiring to U.S.-located jobs may need a bachelor's degree, preferably with a business communications emphasis.

Sources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Graphic designers"
• MSNBC, "How to ride the global outsourcing wave"

About the Author
Clare Kaufman is a freelance writer specializing in education and career advice. She has a graduate degree in English.

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