Online Graphic Design Degree

Breathe new life into graphic design by earning an online BA in Graphic Design and Media Arts with a concentration in 3D Modeling and Animation. As the field of graphic arts leaps beyond traditional design, artists with cutting-edge skills are in high demand to create visual content for video games, animated web content, movies and other media.

In this program, you'll focus on 3D sculpting workflow, including:

• Foundations in color theory and typography
• Designing wireframe 3D models
• Rendering photorealistic effects
• Animating character functions

In a blend of form and function, you'll be taught by award-winning creative faculty using industry-standard software, including the Adobe Creative Suite and Autodesk's Maya and Mudbox. You'll graduate with leading skills that extend your proficiency – and marketability – in industries such as game arts, digital animation, interior design and web development.

SNHU’s 3D modeling and animation degree gives you the skill set to be a player in the multidimensional design world. You’ll explore the stages of game models, including observational and conceptual drawing. You’ll master the basics of modeling using a wide range of techniques. You’ll also study the 12 principles of animation and learn to skin and rig a character. Better yet, you’ll create hands-on projects using emerging technology and be well prepared to take on jobs in game development, advertising, marketing, virtual education and other fields that use graphics to provide spectacular interactive experiences.

A 3D modeling concentration can also help prepare you for roles in experiential graphic design. Experiential graphic designers collaborate with architects, interior and industrial designers and landscape architects to create interactive design environments in retail spaces, museums, public art exhibits and more.

Learn more about what you can do with a 3D animation degree.

Courses may include:

• Intro to Digital Sculpting
• 3-D Modeling and Animation
• Interactive Animation

If you're looking for a career that combines graphic design and digital media, the Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Media Arts with a concentration in Web Design at Southern New Hampshire University could be the right fit for you. The web design degree online program supplements the traditional graphic arts foundation with digital-oriented core courses, striking the balance of artistic interests and practical web design.

Equal parts theory and practice, this specialized graphic design program stresses the critical thinking skills and hands-on technical proficiency to complement your designs, along with the know-how to promote yourself and keep your skills sharp in an ever-changing, competitive marketplace.

Career outlook:

As the use of mobile devices grows and e-commerce continues to expand, job prospects appear promising for graphic designers with web design skills. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of designers with experience in computer systems design and related services is projected to grow 24% through 2028.¹

Those with knowledge of multiple programming languages and digital multimedia tools will have the best opportunities. Our web design degree online concentration program gives you the advantage you need to succeed in a number of industries, including:

• Advertising and marketing
• Public relations
• Specialized design services
• Digital media outlets
• E-commerce

The online graphic design degree curriculum includes the full graphic design course of study, plus four web design-specific courses to expand your skillset. Courses are taught by award-winning creative faculty using the most advanced technology available.

As a graduate of this online web online design degree program, you'll build the skills to concept and develop your work using the Adobe Creative Cloud. You'll learn how to conduct usability testing on multiple platforms and interfaces, from mobile phones to tablets to desktop computers. Using these skills, you’ll be prepared to execute various media projects, including interactive animation, digital publications, video and other rich media.

Learn more about web design degree concentration offerings including:

• Interactive Animation for the Web
• User Interface and Experience
• Advanced Digital Imaging and Digital Publishing

Flexible

With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.

Affordable

Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, plus financial aid for those who qualify. We also make it easy to transfer to SNHU by accepting up to 90 credits from your previous institution.

Respected

Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 100,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.

Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:

• “Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
• A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
• Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium

Network

At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 200,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.

96.5% of students would recommend SNHU.² Discover why SNHU may be right for you.

Part of SNHU's mission statement is to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time  and get an acceptance decision within days of submitting all of your required materials.

Decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.

Simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options, answer all your questions and walk you through the application process. Start by:

• Completing a free undergraduate application
• Providing previous institutions attended – so we can retrieve transcripts for you at no cost

Test scores are not required as part of your application.

Required Hardware

The below computer specifications are recommended for students to meet the minimum system requirements of the software programs required for download in the program. Student discounts are available, and your academic advisor can provide details.

A Mac is preferred for this program. 

A digital SLR camera is required in FAS-226 and is recommended for students to use throughout the program. You may also need an external hard drive (2TB). 

Students pursuing the BA in Digital Photography or the 3D modeling and animation concentration will need to be responsible for additional requirements. 

Required Software

Adobe Creative Cloud is required by all students in the graphic design and media arts program. Creative Cloud licenses are available at an educational discount directly through Adobe.

Adobe’s terms and conditions require a full-year contract for Creative Cloud.

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

While we've developed a reputation as a leader of online education, we also offer campus and blended learning experiences. All of SNHU's programs are regionally-accredited, and some, such as our nursing and accounting programs, 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.

Just ask one of our online students:

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

Graphic designers play a major role in 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 a contractor, you may help a small business redesign their company website. In an ad agency setting, you may spearhead an interactive out of home (OOH) experience. As long as you know how to apply the skills in your personal 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.

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 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.²

For those who have yet to break into the field, a bachelor's program can offer a safe space to grow, test and develop 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.

Plus, a grounding in a liberal education and the humanities will 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 working in the industry today. These experiences, and the resulting portfolio work, can help you stand out in a highly competitive market.

Graphic design often combines images and words to tell compelling stories – making it a critical skill in "selling" products, ideas and brand identities. As a graphic designer, you'll be a key player in:

• Advertising
• Public Relations
• Marketing

See the Career Outlook section above for a more detailed look at potential career paths with a graphic design degree.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment for graphic designers is projected to grow 3% through 2028.¹ However, graphic design jobs in computer systems design and related services are projected to grow at a much faster rate – 24% through 2028.¹

When it comes to computer systems 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 at once visually striking and easy to use.

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

Graphic designers will have the option to work in a number of different professional settings, such as studios, ad agencies and design firms.

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

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the Internet at:

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm#tab-6 (viewed May 4, 2020)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm#tab-1 (viewed May 4, 2020)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/multimedia-artists-and-animators.htm (viewed May 4, 2020)

Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

² According to survey responses from over 9,200 SNHU online students conducted in the fall of 2019.