What Is Visual Communications?

Visual communications, also known as graphic design, is the art of communicating a message through visual design.

On one level, being a good graphic designer is like being a good storyteller ?but the stories you tell sell products and services.

If you're interested in a career as a graphic designer, it all starts with a degree in visual communications from a college or university.

If you don't want to put your life on hold while you earn your degree, check out an accredited online degree program.

Degree Levels

You don't necessarily need a college degree to be a graphic designer. However, most employers require at least a bachelor's degree.

Diplomas and Certificates

Many community colleges and trade schools offer diplomas and certificates in visual communications or related fields.

The benefit of these programs is that they typically only take one year of study to complete so you can start your career sooner.

Associate Degrees

With an associate degree in digital design or web design, you'll gain the skills you need to get started in visual communications.

You can typically apply the credits you earned towards a bachelor's degree, which can save you money on tuition.

Bachelor's Degrees

Most employers require graphic designers they hire to have at least a bachelor's degree in visual communications or graphic design.

These degrees are typically fine arts degrees, meaning that there's a strong artistic element and digital portfolio requirement.

Master's Degrees

If you want to take your education even further, a master's degree in visual communications will set you apart in the field.

Master's degree programs equip you with advanced design skills so you can take on any project with ease and create designs that please clients.

Visual Communications Courses

Visual communications is a broad field that offers many courses. Therefore, most students choose to specialize in a particular area.

Digital Design

Digital design courses focus on creating responsive digital art, including 3D objects and digital simulations for apps and the web.

Focus on digital design if you're more artistic and want to create animations or digital imagery for games, websites, and more.

Web Design

Take web design courses if you're interested in designing websites from the ground up. These courses tend to be more code heavy.

Most web design courses focus on using the principles of visual design to create web pages that are as beautiful as they are functional.

User Interface/User Experience

User interface and user experience (UX) courses focus on how the user interacts with and navigates a website through interactive elements.

This area is similar to web design but not as code-heavy. You design the buttons, menus, and other elements that guide users through a website.

Visual Design

Visual design courses focus on the creation of graphic elements that you often see in digital and print media, such as infographics.

You'll also learn about fonts and other graphical elements and how to design a print page. This focus is good if you want to work in media.

Career Options

Given that visual communications is such a broad field, your career options are pretty extensive as well. Here are some top picks.

Content Creator

Content creators use their graphic design skills to create infographics, videos, and other content for websites and print publications.

Some content creators also do illustrations and create other graphic elements for advertisements or promotions.

User Experience (UX) Specialist

A UX specialist is responsible for evaluating traffic on a website and figuring out how to improve its functionality.

If the goal is to sell products or services, the UX specialist is in charge of making sure the shopping and buying process is intuitive and seamless.

Multimedia Specialist

Multimedia specialists work with all different types of media, including print, video, and digital media.

Some multimedia specialists work for digital publishers, while others work for advertising or marketing agencies.

Web Designer

The web designer is responsible for the overall look of a website and each of its pages. The main focus here is simplicity and consistency.

Web designers may work on their own or through a design firm. They typically have multiple clients and build as well as maintain websites.

Job Market Outlook

While graphic designers aren't necessarily in high demand, there are plenty of opportunities available if you have strong skills.

Employment Growth

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of graphic designers will grow 3% from 2022 to 2032.

This growth rate is about as fast as the national average for all occupations and reflects the decrease in print media.

Top States

States that employ the most graphic designers include California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Illinois.

States with the most job openings for graphic designers include Washington, D.C., New York, Rhode Island, Nebraska, and Minnesota.

Top Metropolitan Areas

Metropolitan areas that employ the most graphic designers include New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Metropolitan areas with the most job openings include Oshkosh, WI; Los Angeles, CA; Provo, UT; and Bolder, CO.

Top Industries

Industries with the highest levels of employment in graphic design include advertising, specialized design services, and media.

Industries with the highest concentrations of employment in graphic design include specialized design services and advertising.

Learn More About Visual Communications Degrees

If you're interested in communicating information through visual design, start your career with a degree in visual communications.