What can you do with a Graphic Design degree from ArtCenter College of Design?

First, some facts. Of the Graphic Design graduates from ArtCenter College of Design 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 97%, Graphic Design graduates from ArtCenter College of Design have a substantially higher likelihood (+30%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 97%
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 0% 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 Graphic Design graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Graphic Design graduate from ArtCenter College of Design 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 ArtCenter College of Design with a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Graphic Design Intern
Funkhaus
Jul 2021 - Jan 2022
The Graphic Design Intern position at Funkhaus directly utilizes skills and knowledge from the Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, making it highly relevant.

Graphic Designer
Hello Design
Mar 2022 - Jan 2023
As a Graphic Designer at Hello Design, this role requires the application of graphic design principles and techniques learned during the Bachelor's program, hence it is directly relevant.

Junior Designer
Instrument
Jan 2023 - Mar 2024
The Junior Designer role at Instrument involves specific graphic design tasks and responsibilities that align closely with the skills and knowledge acquired in a Graphic Design degree, making it highly relevant.

ABOUT

[NAME REMOVED] is has been in the industry for three years after graduating from ArtCenter College of Design. He has experience working with a variety of clients that span from the digital to the cultural sphere. His strengths range across branding, identity systems, and editorial design. [NAME REMOVED] sees visual language much like music. There is a symphony and harmony that brings different notes together for a cohesive experience.

What jobs can you get with a Graphic Design degree from ArtCenter College of Design?

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


When looking at the variety of jobs taken by graduates of the Graphic Design program at ArtCenter College of Design, it's clear that many have pursued roles that directly relate to their field. A lot of them have positioned themselves as Graphic Designers, whether as full-time employees or freelancers, where their work involves the application of design principles, creativity, and the technical skills they honed during their studies. For instance, positions at well-known companies like Apple and Michael Kors showcase how these graduates are using their training in environments that genuinely value graphic design expertise. These roles often span from junior designer positions to senior art director roles, reflecting a strong career trajectory built on relevant experience.

Interestingly, while many have indeed landed jobs closely tied to graphic design, there are a few instances where roles seemed less directly connected or involved general design tasks without a strict focus on graphic design. Freelance positions sometimes lack the structure of formal design roles, and while they utilize relevant skills, they sometimes suggest a less formal application of those abilities. Overall, however, the majority of these graduates are finding their way into jobs that leverage their education effectively, confirming that the Graphic Design degree from ArtCenter sets them up for success in relevant and fulfilling career paths.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Graphic Design graduates (this is across all Graphic Design graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to ArtCenter College of Design):

What kind of career trajectories do Graphic Design graduates from ArtCenter College of Design have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from the ArtCenter College of Design with a degree in Graphic Design seem to follow some pretty solid career trajectories. For many, the first step after graduation is often landing a job as a graphic designer, either in-house at various companies or as a freelancer. Like the 2010 grad who started out as a freelance designer and quickly moved on to positions at Viacom and Michael Kors, many graduates get their feet wet in the fast-paced world of design and take the opportunity to climb the ranks fairly quickly. A number of graduates also land impressive gigs at well-known companies, especially within tech and fashion. For instance, a 2018 grad transitioned from a design intern at Apple to an art director in just a few years, which showcases how rapid growth is often possible in this field.

As for where these designers find themselves five to ten years later, the trend continues in a positive direction for many. Some have moved into senior or lead roles, like art directors or design directors, at prominent companies, while others have turned to freelance work or even started their own design agencies. However, it’s also important to note that not every graduate has a straight path to success. Some grads tend to bounce around between freelance gigs and short-term positions, which might not feel as secure or fulfilling in the long run. Overall, though, many ArtCenter grads appear to thrive in their careers, carving out impressive roles in the design world that are often relevant to their studies and interests. So, if you're thinking about pursuing graphic design, it looks like a pretty promising field with plenty of opportunities!

How hard is a Graphic Design degree from ArtCenter College of Design?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design at ArtCenter College of Design is definitely on the challenging side. ArtCenter is known for its rigorous programs, and you can expect a heavy workload with tons of projects, critiques, and late nights working on your portfolio. The curriculum is super hands-on, so you’ll be pushing your creative limits quite a bit. It’s not just about making things look cool; you’ll dive into the theory behind design, learn a ton of software, and really hone your skills in a way that can be pretty intense. If you enjoy being creative and are ready to put in the effort, it can be an amazing experience, but just know it’s going to take some serious dedication!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 5 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design.

Do Graphic Design graduates from ArtCenter College of Design tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these ArtCenter College of Design graduates, it seems like a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. The grad from 2010 really climbed the ladder at Michael Kors, which usually pays well for senior roles, especially in the fashion industry. The 2018 grad who worked at Apple also seems to be on a fast track to decent earnings with promotions to Senior Designer and now Art Director, which indicates a solid salary behind those titles. However, a couple of other grads, especially those staying in freelance gigs or bouncing around from one graphic design job to another, might not be raking in as consistent cash, especially early on. Freelancing can be unpredictable, but it definitely gives room to grow and chase bigger opportunities down the line. Overall, it seems like the potential for good money is definitely there, especially for those who land roles in big companies, but not everyone’s gonna hit the jackpot right away.

What buzzwords do Graphic Design 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 Graphic Design (this is across all Graphic Design graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to ArtCenter College of Design). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Graphic Design?

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

College Score Count
ArtCenter College of Design 97 10
Florida Atlantic University 95 11
Rhode Island School of Design 93 12
Brigham Young University 92 10
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 90 14
Massachusetts College of Art and Design 90 10
University of Houston 89 14
Kendall College of Art and Design 87 15
Auburn University 85 11
George Mason University 85 18
Savannah College of Art and Design 85 47
California State University-Sacramento 83 13
Iowa State University 82 16
Louisiana State University 82 13
San Diego State University 82 17
Liberty University 81 21
Drexel University 81 13
School of Visual Arts 81 18
Illinois State University 79 15
Utah Valley University 78 10
University of Central Florida 77 10
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 77 12
Towson University 76 15
Portland State University 76 18
Kean University 76 12
Saginaw Valley State University 76 11
California State University-Long Beach 75 14
Colorado State University 74 12
Virginia Commonwealth University 74 10
Art Institute of Pittsburgh 74 11
Pennsylvania College of Technology 72 10
University of Wisconsin-Stout 71 13
The Art Institutes 71 34
James Madison University 70 14
Brigham Young University - Idaho 70 15
Columbia College Chicago 69 18
State University of New York College at Oswego 69 10
Pensacola Christian College 69 11
San Jose State University 68 17
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 68 10
University of Massachusetts Lowell 63 18
Queens College 62 21
Oakland University 59 10
Southern New Hampshire University 50 16
Full Sail University 50 47
Georgia Southern University 50 10