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"Graphic design, what kind of study is it?”

Graphic design is a form of art that plans and reflects the idea and experience through visual or text contents. Mainly, it refers to visual design of an ad medium duplicated by printing technology. Recently, it includes not only print media but also designs such as advertisement, animation, film, etc.

"What would I mainly learn in graphic design major?"

Graphic design field is a major well suited for creative students who have desire to communicate by using keen visual sense, words and images. Graphic design is professional yet multidimensional field. Students can focus on creating design for digital market and for traditional media such as print media or TV. They can also design commercial packaging product, build ad campaign or communicable website. During the undergraduate program, students acquire computer and graphic software skills, and they learn the uses of design factors such as typography, visual composition, color and texture. In addition, because many graphic artists are working freelanced, business courses are generally included in the curriculum.

"Graphic design, how does its future look like?”

According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth rate of graphic design field is at 4%. It is not a high figure, however, demand is continuously guaranteed. Therefore, it is a field of study which still has research value. In particular,

Graphic design field offers numerous opportunities regardless of their age and experience, which lowers the market entry barrier. As a result, it is easier for recent graduates to get a job.

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「Job groups for graphic design majors」

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Graphic design majors usually have following job groups.

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▪︎ Graphic designer

Graphic designer delivers the idea through visual concepts. They develop and publish communication material such as advertisement, brochure and magazine.

▪︎ Industrial designer

They design various products that customers use everyday such as automobile, electronics, office furniture and even toys in economical and useful manner.

▪︎ Web developer

They design website. They optimize creative and technical aspects of the website and offer simple browsing experience to users.

▪︎ Multimedia artist and animator

They require strong creativity and technique to create visual effect and animation for various media such as movie, tv and video game

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「Average salary of graphic design majors 」

Salary of graphic design graduates vary depending on the field they enter. Graphic designers earn an average salary of around $48,700, while multimedia artists and animators earn about $70,530. If a graduate works as a practitioner, such as an industrial designer or a web developer, average salary is between $65,000 and $68,000.

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「Portfolio preparation to enroll in graphic design school」

Portfolio is a collection of works created by students using various forms of art such as painting, sculpture, etc. and it should fully express the students' unique skills and personality. Portfolio is a great opportunity to show the student’s artistic skills, experiences and interests, and admission officer will use the portfolios to determine if the applicant is suitable for the school he/she is applying for. To enroll in school of graphic design, students usually create their portfolio using media such as drawing, video, photograph, sculpture, 3D work, collage, digital image and more. It is important to adequately appeal to the harmonious sense of color and the mixed and multidimensional images displayed from multiple angles.

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TOP 3 schools with graphic design major

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Stanford University

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· Expected tuition : $49,896

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· Founded in 1891, Stanford University is a private research institute located in Stanford, Californa. Stanford University is located close to Silicon Valley which is a global state-of-the-art industrial base, and it offers more opportunities for education and research. Several of its undergraduate programs are ranked at the top, and professional graduate schools such as business administration, law school, and medicine are among the best in US.

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· School feature : Stanford University has its own building for art studies including graphic design. In addition, the school has added new teaching programs in art, art history, creative writing, dance, design, digital media, film, music, theater and performance.

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· Graphic design major includes following fields.

Marketing and ad design

Sustainable design

Illustration

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Louisiana State University

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· Expected tuition : $14,000 per semester

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· LSU was founded in 1860, and many students wish to major in design enroll in the school every year. LSU is the largest school in the state and it is recognized for its comprehensive design program. Through the program, many students can gain wide range of experience in graphic design.

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· School feature : In graphic design school of LSU, students develop typography and branding, and learn identity design. Some programs include drawing, composition, color design and graphic abstract painting. Faculty members along with many exercise professionals who provide mid to high level education prepare students to communicate in visualization, think critically and become creative problem solvers.

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· Curriculum are as follows.

Digital imaging

Print and edit design

Information design

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University of Arts London

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· Expected tuition: $24,000

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· University of Arts London(UAL) is one of the leading instuttes in art and design education field. The school offers 9 different curriculum including graphic communication design, painting, jewelry, textile and more. The school provides open environment where students can surpass boundaries in each field of art and develop new approach and creative idea. The school has on-campus digital production studio, moveable print studio, digital media lab, animation lab and more.

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· School feature : At University of Arts London(UAL), students can learn not only graphic design but also BA Fine Art, BA Photography, BA Illustration and FdA Illustration. Students learn through globally recognized curriculum and work in 4 paths of 2D, 3D, 4D and XD. They acquire expert knowledge and technique to cultivate talents who can lead and innovate the fields of art and culture.

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· Major curriculum are as follows.

Motion graphic

Packaging and environment design

Identity design work development

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List of colleges with graphic design major

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