Places To Get An Online Graphic Design Degree (With Jobs)

An online degree in graphic design provides students with an in-depth understanding of visual design elements, design theory and design software. Students can choose to specialise in specific areas of graphic design and create work portfolios to show employers. By finding out about the different types of graphic design degree courses available online, you can enrol in a suitable degree programme and prepare for a career in graphic design. In this article, we explore where to pursue an online graphic design degree, discuss how to get one and learn about the jobs you can qualify for with this degree.

Related: What Is A Motion Graphics Designer? (And How To Become One)

Places To Pursue An Online Graphic Design Degree

You can pursue an online graphic design degree in the following institutions:

1. IIT Hyderabad - Department of Design

PG Certificate Programme in Visual Design and User Experience

Partnering with TalentSprint, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad offers a six-month postgraduate certification programme in visual design and user experience. It is conducted by the IIT Hyderabad faculty and invited industry experts via interactive live sessions. You can join the course if you have a graduate or postgraduate degree in any discipline. It is also open to professionals with at least one year of work experience. The course curriculum includes a module on graphic design and visual branding. The course starts in August.

2. Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Media Graphics and Animation

A three-year course, the BSc in Media Graphics and Animation aims to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge through distance education. After enrolling in the programme, students receive self-instructional materials. The programme covers graphic design and animation concepts, drawing, graphic design and animation software, typography, colour theory, web development and HTML. Students can also learn content digitisation, storyboarding, content authoring, flash animation, video production basics and 3D animation.

3. Indira Gandhi National Open University

Certificate in Visual Arts - Applied Art

This certificate programme is open to anyone with a 10th pass qualification. The minimum age for admission is 15 years and there is no maximum age bar. The course duration ranges from six months to two years. You can learn about design elements, aesthetics, Indian art practices, graphic design and advertising.

4. Tamil Nadu Open University

Bachelor of Science (BSc) Visual Communication

The BSc Visual Communication programme is of three years duration and is open to students who have passed the Higher Secondary Examination. The course includes graphic design, print design, web design, animation, commercial advertising, scriptwriting, video production and film editing. Students get self-learning materials in print, e-content, audio and video formats. Successful completion of the course can lead to work opportunities in the advertising, television, film and animation industries.

Related: Online Fine Arts Courses (Skills And Career Opportunities)

How To Get An Online Degree In Graphic Design

You can get an online degree in graphic design by following these steps:

1. Complete 10+2

The basic admission eligibility for many online degree programmes for graphic design is 10+2. It is essential to have passed the Higher Secondary Certification (HSC) examination from a government-approved board with at least 55% marks. You may also benefit from having passed the Elementary Art and Intermediate Art examinations while in school.

2. Research online degrees in graphic design

Spend some time researching available online degrees in graphic design. Get information about the graphic design courses, the duration of the programmes, the institutions offering the online degrees and the fees they charge. Find out if the institutions have government accreditation, ask if they offer internships or job placements and check how their past students are faring professionally. If possible, connect with past and present students on social media and enquire about their experiences studying online.

3. Apply to selected online institution

Once you have selected an educational institution to pursue an online degree in graphic design, find out about its admission procedure and fee structure. Get informed about when the course starts and ends. Send your application in the required manner to the provided address with the necessary documents. Most institutions require identification documents and educational certificates. You can then pay the stipulated fee.

4. Complete the online graphic design course

You will need a computer with free or subscription-based graphic design software for the course. Depending on the programme you select, the online course could be for two to four years. Some programmes may have set schedules, while others may allow you to complete the course at your own pace. You may have online live and recorded lectures, discussion forums and graphic design projects. It is advisable to set aside a few hours daily for your graphic design studies.

5. Prepare a graphic design portfolio

The programme may require you to prepare a graphic design portfolio as part of its curriculum. It can help to research the online portfolios of professional graphic designers and learn what they are doing right. Try to be diligent about creating a strong portfolio so that you can use it for sending out job applications at the end of the graphic design programme.

Related: Graphic Design Skills (With Examples And Tips)

Types Of Jobs With An Online Degree In Graphic Design

You can do the following types of jobs with an online degree in graphic design:

1. Graphic designer

National average salary: ₹23,013 per month

Primary duties: Graphic designers create and arrange images, designs, text, colours and other visual elements by hand or digitally into imaginative layouts. The purpose is to attract consumers and communicate specific ideas and messages. They may develop designs for various things such as logos, advertisements, brochures, magazine layouts, magazine covers, book interiors, book covers, website layouts, infographics, corporate reports, newsletters, banners and packaging.

They may be independently employed or work for companies in the advertising, publishing, news media, information technology and related industries. After receiving the client's design brief, graphic designers determine the project requirements, define budget constraints and map out the work stages. They conceptualise the visuals, prepare rough drafts, get client approval and finalise the work.

Related: How To Become A Graphic Designer: A Complete Guide

2. Web designer

National average salary: ₹23,760 per month

Primary duties: Web designers use their programming skills, creativity and user experience knowledge to design functional, easy-to-navigate and aesthetically appealing websites. Also known as front-end developers, they may work independently or with web design companies. They conceptualise wireframes, site maps, user flows and process flows to build new websites, or make improvements to existing ones. Following the client's branding requirements, they select suitable fonts, colour schemes, visual elements and page layouts. They plan website navigation, incorporate functionalities, set content standards and use content management systems. They also test the final website to ensure its compatibility with different browsers and devices.

3. Illustrator

National average salary: ₹27,574 per month

Primary duties: Illustrators use their artistic and conceptual skills to create hand-rendered digital or hybrid images for a range of printed and digital products. Working in the publishing, advertising, news media or related industries, they work in a range of colours, styles and mediums to create illustrations for books, magazines, advertisements, news media, digital media, web apps, packaging and toys. They review the client's brief, draw rough sketches, get these approved and develop the final illustrations. Generally, illustrators work to a specified schedule and maintain regular communication with the client or the company regarding the overall work progress.

4. Multimedia designer

National average salary: ₹29,166 per month

Primary duties: Multimedia designers generally work with a range of media and across different industries like television, film, advertising, publishing, web development and gaming. They combine their artistic skills and creativity with their knowledge of design technology to create digital images, designs, text, animation and videos. The purpose of their work may be to inform, enlighten, engage, advertise, persuade and entertain viewers. They often work in collaboration with other creative professionals.

5. Animator

National average salary: ₹26,636 per month

Primary duties: Animators work independently or for animation studios, film studios, television studios, advertising companies, multimedia companies and news media. After reading animation scripts, they determine the animation requirements for the storylines, present their creative ideas to the client and get their approval for the animation project. They prepare handmade or digital design sketches, storyboards, illustrations and models. Using their proficiency in CGI software, they create 2D, 3D, stop motion and computer-generated animation. They edit the animation to add background graphics, special effects and synchronised audio. Generally, they collaborate with other animators, designers, directors and other production crew.

Related: How To Become A 3D Animator: Skills, Salary And Duties

6. Art director

National average salary: ₹55,323 per month

Primary duties: Art directors direct, manage and oversee design teams. After understanding client requirements and conducting market research, they develop a design vision aimed at a target demographic for achieving specific objectives. They may implement their visual concepts for advertisement campaigns, publications, multimedia projects, videos, news media, theatre, television shows and films. They plan and manage the budget for the projects they handle, hire graphic designers and other creative professionals, set project schedules, keep the client updated and make the final presentation.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are associated with Indeed.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.