Degree Description: The International Academy of Design & Technology was founded in 1977 and offers students a wide range of degree options from campuses across the United States, as well as online. This degree from IADT is designed to provide students with a well-rounded education in the complex and ever changing field of graphic design. Students should leave this program with a thorough understanding of the profession, and the principles of the industry. Key areas students will study include page layout, digital graphics development, editorial design, branding and identity, environmental graphics, prepress, design history, theory, and packaging. In order to enroll in this program, students are required to complete and submit all application material, which includes a high school transcript of equivalent, application for admission, and payment of the non-refundable application fee. College transcripts are also required if students are transferring from another school, or if they already possess some college education.

Degree Outlook: Students that complete their bachelor’s degree in graphic design from IADT are prepared to seek employment in a variety of design fields, from visual communication and promotions, to catalog development and advertising. Possible job titles include graphic designer, junior illustrator, page layout designer, photograph retoucher, web designer, and prepress printing technician. Graphic designers, for instance, work with creative marketing and advertising teams or information technology teams, to create images, branding identities, and other collateral for companies. These can include brochures, billboards, websites, and even logos. This profession is slightly different from a web designer, which is essentially a graphic designer that works primarily on the web. They create e-mail campaigns, websites, and landing pages as part of a greater advertising campaign or company’s image. Both of these professionals can work for design firms, in-house for corporations, or as independent contractors. They generally earn around $45,000 per year, but this will depend on their locality and experience level.