What the School Says

The International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT) offers quality degree programs that are designed to get your creative juices flowing. The graphic design program in particular is incredibly popular as graphic design proves to be one of the most rewarding and prosperous creative fields today. In the associate degree program for graphic design at IADT, students will become familiarized with design fundamentals such as layout, typography, color, and illustration. Nearly all of the work will be done on a computer as students explore the world of digital graphic design. Students will take courses that train them in the use of graphics computer programs as well as trade-specific skills, such as the actual process of creating a graphic product. The degree program typically takes full-time students two to three years to earn. The specific amount of credits needed to graduate varies depending on which IADT campus you enroll in as well as whether or not you will take online courses. Contact the school directly for information about specific graduation requirements.

What We Say

The most obvious and common career choice for those who earn an associate degree in graphic design is to become a graphic designer. Though many employers prefer those with a bachelor's degree in the field, associate degree holders can still find rewarding work as long as they have an extensive portfolio to showcase their skills. In addition, those with an associate degree could work as assistants to graphic designers where they could employ their technical skills to help clean up photographs, correct tinting and lighting in certain designs, and much more. Employment opportunities for graphic designers are expected to increase 13 percent during the 2008-18 decade, adding 36,900 new graphic design jobs into the market, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This number does not include positions that will open up due to retirement. Graphic designers earned a median annual wage of $42,400 in May 2008, the most recent information available from the Bureau. Salaries for graphic designers will vary, however, depending on the designer's employer and the amount and type of work the designers must complete.