What can you do with a Design and Visual Communications degree from Kent State University?

First, some facts. Of the Design and Visual Communications graduates from Kent State University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 89%, Design and Visual Communications graduates from Kent State University have a substantially higher likelihood (+22%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 89%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 18% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Design and Visual Communications graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Design and Visual Communications graduate from Kent State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2021 from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Design and Visual Communications. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Brand Expression Co-op
Procter & Gamble
May 2021 - Dec 2021
The Brand Expression Co-op at Procter & Gamble directly involves applying design and visual communication skills which are fundamental to the Bachelor's degree in Design and Visual Communications.

Brand Expression Designer
Procter & Gamble
Apr 2022 - Present
The position of Brand Expression Designer at Procter & Gamble requires the use of design and visual communication expertise learned during the Bachelor's program, making it highly relevant.

ABOUT

I am a recent graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor of Arts, completed with a major in Visual Communication Design with a triple minors in Digital Media Production, User Experience Design, and Italian Studies. I have extensive experience with various Adobe software, including Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, and ProCreate. Due to my familiarity with this software, I am quick to learn and adapt to any Adobe program.

What jobs can you get with a Design and Visual Communications degree from Kent State University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


From analyzing the job trends of Kent State University graduates in Design and Visual Communications, it's clear that the most common roles people have landed in are Graphic Designer positions, User Experience roles, and various leadership roles within design. These positions typically involve applying crucial design skills, including graphic design, visual communication principles, and creative direction, all of which are central to the education received from the program. A significant number of graduates work as Graphic Designers across various companies, and many even advance into more senior roles like Art Directors or Design Directors, which naturally rely on the knowledge and skills they acquired in school.

However, it's not all about design-related jobs. A few graduates have ventured into areas that don't fully align with their degree, such as marketing or roles focused more on administrative tasks than on creative design. For instance, jobs like Marketing Manager and Shop Worker seem to utilize skills only on the periphery of what was taught in Design and Visual Communications. Still, the majority of the roles are indeed relevant, showing that graduates typically find opportunities that leverage their creative training effectively. Overall, it looks like a solid foundation in design does lead to a good chance of landing jobs that are right in line with their studies!

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Design and Visual Communications graduates (this is across all Design and Visual Communications graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Kent State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Design and Visual Communications graduates from Kent State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

From looking at the career paths of Design and Visual Communications graduates from Kent State University, it seems like a lot of them really dive into creative roles right after graduation. Many of the early jobs listed are in graphic design, whether as interns or full-time positions, which makes sense since that’s often where fresh graduates start out. It’s pretty neat to see that a number of them continue building on their initial experiences and move into more specialized roles like User Experience Designer or even Design Director within just a few years. This indicates a healthy flow of opportunities in the design field for those who hustle and seek growth.

However, not everyone seems to have had a straightforward trajectory in design. While some grads are making their mark in reputable companies and advancing in design roles, there are others who seem to have taken a step off the traditional path, finding themselves in jobs like a Glazier or Shop Worker, which aren’t really aligned with their visual communications degree. This suggests that while some folks find success in careers directly related to their studies, others might struggle to land design-related roles right away, possibly leading to careers that diverge from their original intent. Overall, it looks like there’s a mix of success and challenges, but many of the positions are certainly relevant to their field and provide valuable experience.

How hard is a Design and Visual Communications degree from Kent State University?

Honestly, a Bachelor's degree in Design and Visual Communications can be pretty challenging, but it's also super rewarding if you’re passionate about the subject. At Kent State University, you’re going to be doing a lot of hands-on work—think design projects, critiques, and loads of software tutorials. Expect to juggle your creativity with deadlines, which can get stressful, especially when you're trying to nail that perfect design. While some people might find it tougher than an average degree due to the combination of technical skills and artistic flair, if you're really into design and are dedicated, you’ll probably find it easier to stay motivated and push through the tough spots. Just be prepared to put in some late nights working on projects!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Design and Visual Communications.

Do Design and Visual Communications graduates from Kent State University tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Kent State University grads, it seems like a mixed bag when it comes to money. The ones who graduated earlier, especially in 2011 and 2015, seem to have taken a bit of a slower route, with roles mostly in graphic design that could pay decently but aren't sky-high, especially in the early stages—like internships and junior designer roles. However, those who graduated more recently, especially from 2020 onward, seem to land jobs with more potential for decent pay, like at Procter & Gamble and various UX/UI roles, which are pretty hot right now. Overall, some are likely making a nice living, especially if they've moved up into director or senior roles, while others might still be grinding it out for the typical starter salaries in design.

What buzzwords do Design and Visual Communications graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Design and Visual Communications (this is across all Design and Visual Communications graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Kent State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Design and Visual Communications?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Design and Visual Communications (ordered by the average relevance score of their Design and Visual Communications graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Kent State University 89 11