2 answers
Kennedi
Student
Bowie, Maryland
3
Questions
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How much education or training do you need to start a career in graphic design?
I am a 10th grader at Largo and I want to be a graphic designer but I wonder how much training I would need in order to be able to do graphic designer as my career.
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2 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Kennedi !
That is such an awesome career to pursue !
Many of the fine and performing arts do not necessarily require a college degree, but do require extensive training in other ways. I do, however, want to encourage you to attend college and obtain your Bachelors Degree in Graphic Arts in order to be competitive in this field among other reasons. A Bachelors Degree would be four years of college and you can apply for Federal Student Financial Aid, Scholarships and Grants to help with college costs. It's possible to start at a lesser priced community college to get your Associates Degree first and then enroll at a local university for your Bachelors Degree. This may help cut down on tuition costs.
A four year college path for graphic arts will facilitate many opportunities for you. You will obtain opportunities as well as meet people that could be very important for future work. You wouldn't have this bonus "built in" if you did not go to college and would have to make great efforts to know where to network. The college route is the best way to go. It will also give you projects to do to build your portfolio. You will have daily support from classmates, professors and various services on campus.
While you are a student at Largo High School, consider joining your school's Theatre In The Den Program so that you can volunteer doing graphics and art for the productions they do. Theater in the Den is designed for students interested in learning more about the aspects of theater. This includes learning stage terminology, working on acting and public speaking skills, set building, and costumes/makeup design. Throughout the year they produce at least one stage production. Theater in the Den is open to all students of Largo High School. You will be able to build a resume if you construct props, design their show posters, or design/paint flats or any other atmosphere used in their shows. This will be good experience before college. Good theatre needs good artists like yourself !
Once you are in college Majoring in Graphic Art, you will have more opportunities and as time goes on, you may even start to get paid work while still in college. This requires being around your art department a lot, hanging out there most of the time, and people will get to know you and you would be privy to lots of information that can turn into opportunity. The networking aspect for this career is just as important as the education. Staying busy with your art will provide you with a sense of professionalism and have you feeling comfortable and confident about this career.
After graduation, when it comes to the career, you are fortunate in that this work can be done by being hired by a company and/or creating your own design service. It's truly something to look forward to.
This is an opinion business, that is why the more people you meet, contacts that you make, having the Bachelors Degree for credibility is all needed. To add to your credentials, you can take some online professional Certifications also. Some of these Certifications to look up online are Penn Foster’s Online Graphic Design Certificate, The University of California, Los Angeles Extension’s Design Communication Arts Certificate includes a mandatory portfolio review and offers courses in UX, photography, and visual arts, available 100% online, Emory University’s Graphic Design & Visual Communications Certificate, The Graduate School USA's Graphic Design Certification Online and The Sessions College Professional Certificate in Graphic Design.
I hope this helps and I encourage you to return here if you have any other questions. For this career, get as much experience as you can and continually create ! College will be a very big benefit to you !
That is such an awesome career to pursue !
Many of the fine and performing arts do not necessarily require a college degree, but do require extensive training in other ways. I do, however, want to encourage you to attend college and obtain your Bachelors Degree in Graphic Arts in order to be competitive in this field among other reasons. A Bachelors Degree would be four years of college and you can apply for Federal Student Financial Aid, Scholarships and Grants to help with college costs. It's possible to start at a lesser priced community college to get your Associates Degree first and then enroll at a local university for your Bachelors Degree. This may help cut down on tuition costs.
A four year college path for graphic arts will facilitate many opportunities for you. You will obtain opportunities as well as meet people that could be very important for future work. You wouldn't have this bonus "built in" if you did not go to college and would have to make great efforts to know where to network. The college route is the best way to go. It will also give you projects to do to build your portfolio. You will have daily support from classmates, professors and various services on campus.
While you are a student at Largo High School, consider joining your school's Theatre In The Den Program so that you can volunteer doing graphics and art for the productions they do. Theater in the Den is designed for students interested in learning more about the aspects of theater. This includes learning stage terminology, working on acting and public speaking skills, set building, and costumes/makeup design. Throughout the year they produce at least one stage production. Theater in the Den is open to all students of Largo High School. You will be able to build a resume if you construct props, design their show posters, or design/paint flats or any other atmosphere used in their shows. This will be good experience before college. Good theatre needs good artists like yourself !
Once you are in college Majoring in Graphic Art, you will have more opportunities and as time goes on, you may even start to get paid work while still in college. This requires being around your art department a lot, hanging out there most of the time, and people will get to know you and you would be privy to lots of information that can turn into opportunity. The networking aspect for this career is just as important as the education. Staying busy with your art will provide you with a sense of professionalism and have you feeling comfortable and confident about this career.
After graduation, when it comes to the career, you are fortunate in that this work can be done by being hired by a company and/or creating your own design service. It's truly something to look forward to.
This is an opinion business, that is why the more people you meet, contacts that you make, having the Bachelors Degree for credibility is all needed. To add to your credentials, you can take some online professional Certifications also. Some of these Certifications to look up online are Penn Foster’s Online Graphic Design Certificate, The University of California, Los Angeles Extension’s Design Communication Arts Certificate includes a mandatory portfolio review and offers courses in UX, photography, and visual arts, available 100% online, Emory University’s Graphic Design & Visual Communications Certificate, The Graduate School USA's Graphic Design Certification Online and The Sessions College Professional Certificate in Graphic Design.
I hope this helps and I encourage you to return here if you have any other questions. For this career, get as much experience as you can and continually create ! College will be a very big benefit to you !
Yasmin Mohamed Alamin
Clinical Nutrition Student
63
Answers
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Updated
Yasmin’s Answer
Hi Kennedi👋🏻...
If you want to be a graphic designer the good news is there are lots of ways to start building skills now,even in high school
You don’t always need a full college degree, but many designers do get an associate’s or bachelor’s in graphic design, visual arts, or a related field...
What really matters is your portfolio — a collection of your work showing what you can do
You can start learning the basics now: practice design software like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva, take online courses, and work on small projects for yourself, friends, or school clubs The more you create and experiment, the better your portfolio will get.
So focus on learning, practicing, and showing your work.
The training doesn’t have to be endless, but consistent effort and real projects will prepare you to start a career as a graphic designer.
If you want to be a graphic designer the good news is there are lots of ways to start building skills now,even in high school
You don’t always need a full college degree, but many designers do get an associate’s or bachelor’s in graphic design, visual arts, or a related field...
What really matters is your portfolio — a collection of your work showing what you can do
You can start learning the basics now: practice design software like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva, take online courses, and work on small projects for yourself, friends, or school clubs The more you create and experiment, the better your portfolio will get.
So focus on learning, practicing, and showing your work.
The training doesn’t have to be endless, but consistent effort and real projects will prepare you to start a career as a graphic designer.