Online Graphic Design Degree Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Yes. Along with SNHU's other 200+ online degree programs, you can earn your bachelor's in graphic design online on your time.

Similar to on-campus programs, SNHU's online graphic design degree program provides real-world experiences with classes taught by faculty members with industry experience. Additionally, all of SNHU's programs are regionally accredited, and some have additional industry-specific accreditation. That means when you finish a program with us, you'll get a respected degree from a university you can trust.

"Southern New Hampshire University, when it comes to online education, is top of the league," said SNHU organizational management graduate Adam Schumacher '22. "I may be sitting here in Kingsland, Georgia, nowhere near New Hampshire, but I still feel like I'm part of SNHU. I still feel like I'm part of the university."

Online graphic design graduate John Reck '22 agrees.

"I found the online program to be remarkable," he said. "There are a ton of resources in the SNHU virtual world – tutors, workshops, library. The [online writing center] will read your papers and guide you to understand what you're working on."

Graphic designers play a major role on any creative team. Here are a few key skills you'll need to succeed in the field:

• Creativity. An appreciation for art and creativity is probably what brought you here in the first place – and it's a highly valuable skill in the field. By using your knowledge of color, composition and typography, you'll find new ways to push designs in unexpected directions. As long as you know how to apply the skills in your toolkit, you'll have the power to influence and innovate through your work.
• Collaboration. The ability to work with a team is another crucial skill, as you'll need to collaborate closely with writers, web developers and videographers to make your vision come to life. In addition, clients, stakeholders and creative directors will provide feedback to help fine-tune your work. This means finding a happy middle ground between owning your ideas and redirecting creative executions as needed. It's a delicate balancing act, but when done right, it can help you create some of your best designs.
• Communication. Similar to collaboration, designers need to be able to communicate clearly with clients and stakeholders and be able to explain their work. Designers need to be able to articulate their design choices while ensuring they're understanding the needs of the clients.
• Tech-savvy. Marketers are always looking for new cutting-edge ways to appeal to consumers. To keep up, you'll need to have a solid understanding of today's technologies. This means knowing how to use the latest design software tools and keeping an eye on current trends in marketing, UX, web design and more.
• Problem-solving. There are many moving parts from the ideation to the implementation stage of every creative project, and that can make for a whole host of challenges. For example, a client may have strict budgetary restrictions that limit the scope of your design. Time can also be a major factor. If you're producing work for a specific event, like a national conference or job fair, you'll be expected to complete it with very little lead time. In these situations, you'll have to find out-of-the-box ways to deliver great designs that satisfy client requests (and, ideally, exceed their expectations).
• Attention to detail. In many situations, yours will be the last set of eyes to view your design before it gets printed or published. That means you'll need to have a sharp eye for details, spotting errors like typos as well as inconsistencies in line spacing and alignment. You'll also need to make sure that file types and sizes match the request of the stakeholder, giving them everything they need to put your work out into the world.

While not required, typical entry-level education for graphic designers is a bachelor's degree.¹ Plus, with the growing competitive marketplace for designers, an online degree in graphic design can help set you apart.

For those who have yet to break into the field, a bachelor's program can offer a safe space to grow – testing and developing compelling work in various media. You'll learn about industry-leading graphic design software and challenge your limitations as an artist by creating fully formed, marketable ideas and creative executions.

In addition, a grounding in a liberal arts education and the humanities can give you a cultural frame of reference that can help enrich you both professionally and personally. You'll be prepared to take on real-world visual communication projects that demand an understanding of a broad range of content.

Programs like SNHU's BA in Graphic Design also offer internships where you can gain critical workplace experience. In addition to putting your technical skills to the test, you'll learn firsthand how to collaborate, solve problems and implement creative design solutions for real stakeholders. These experiences – and the resulting portfolio work – can help you stand out in a highly competitive market.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, specific projections for growth in graphic design vary by industry.¹ For example, jobs in web development and digital design are projected to grow 16% through 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.¹

When it comes to web development and digital design, graphic designers play a major role in creating compelling, user-friendly experiences on both web and mobile environments. They must blend form and function to create layouts that are visually striking and easy to use.

With website development driving much of this job growth, graphic designers with a background in web design or user experience design may possess a more marketable skill set for today's employers.

The responsibilities of a remote graphic designer or one that is onsite are ultimately the same. In addition to the chance to work at home, graphic designers also have the option to work in many professional settings, such as studios, ad agencies and design firms.

You may have the option of working as a contractor, giving you additional flexibility with both remote and onsite work. Collaboration, however, is crucial in this profession, so you'll need to facilitate consistent communication with clients, stakeholders and fellow creatives throughout every project, whether in-person or through remote channels.

The time it takes to complete a degree in graphic design can vary depending on your education, experience and the pace at which you move through the program.

An online bachelor’s in graphic design from Southern New Hampshire University is 120 credits, which is designed for completion within 4 years for full-time students. As an online student, you’ll have the option to take either one course per term as a part-time student (3 credits) or two courses as a full-time student (6 credits). With 6 undergraduate terms per year, this means you can complete up to 12 courses in a year, allowing you to finish in fewer than 4 years.

Plus, if you have prior college credits, SNHU accepts up to 90 eligible transfer credits into bachelor’s programs, making it easier for you to finish your degree faster.

“I was able to transfer a lot of my credits from previous schools,” said Jesús Suárez '21. “It made it easier for me, knowing I didn’t have to start all over again.”