There is a wealth of online degree programs available for students interested in pursuing Art and Design. Although specific degree programs vary by school, online degrees exist in such programs as:
- Graphic Design
- Fashion
- Web Design
- Film
- Commercial Art
- Photography
- Interior Design
- Game Design
- Art Education
- Art Therapy
- Fine Art
Generally, most entry-level jobs in these fields require a 4 year degree, but an associate’s degree can also open a few doors for a motivated artist or designer.
When choosing a particular program, many students consider not only their own interests, but also the employment outlook for a given field. Overall, art and design careers have a steady growth rate, and jobs are increasing at about the same rate as careers in other areas. Some sources predict a 16% increase in art and design opportunities through 2016. Fine art represents perhaps the hardest area to break into, but it provides a well-rounded background that many artists and designers appreciate. Other students prefer the specialized focus of more vocationally-oriented programs like graphic design, web design, and animation.
Artists and designers generally have a wide range of career options after graduation. About 25% of artists and designers work as independent freelancers. Newspapers, magazines, museums, publishing companies, and the entertainment industry also hire artists and designers. Some designers work in more corporate environments. Many businesses, for instance, have in-house artists to handle advertising art, web design, and so forth. And, as the web grows, more and more companies need designers to help craft their internet presence. In fact, the growth in computer and software companies is driving a similar growth among designers. Animators and graphic designers represent one of the largest growing segments of art and design careers. For further information about predicted job outlooks in these areas, students can look at a detailed breakdown of employment projections for art and design at the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Online Art and Design programs provide a flexible, effective option for students interested in creative careers. Just as they would in traditional art schools, students in online programs will create professional portfolios to showcase their creative work for prospective employers. This portfolio is the cornerstone of art and design education, both online and in traditional art schools, and is a tangible collection of an artist’s skills. Looking at online portfolios can help students envision the products of an art and design degree as they sort through potential schools and programs.