What can you do with a Graphic Design degree from Kendall College of Art and Design?

First, some facts. Of the Graphic Design graduates from Kendall College of Art and 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 15 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 87%, Graphic Design graduates from Kendall College of Art and Design have a much higher likelihood (+20%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 87%
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 Kendall College of Art and 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 2022 from Kendall College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA in Graphic Design. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Graphic Designer
Journeyman Distillery
Jan 2023 - Jan 2024
The position of Graphic Designer at Journeyman Distillery directly utilizes design skills and knowledge acquired through a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, making it highly relevant.

Graphic Designer
Wit & Craft
Feb 2024 - Present
Similarly, the role of Graphic Designer at Wit & Craft relies heavily on the artistic and technical skills developed in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program, demonstrating a strong connection between the degree and the job.

ABOUT

I am a graphic designer with a BFA who focuses on advertising, branding, digital, and print design. In my personal work, I design patterns, often following optical illusion influences and often in black and white. When I'm not designing, I enjoy nature photography, playing piano, and cuddling with my cats.

What jobs can you get with a Graphic Design degree from Kendall College of Art and Design?

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


From the analysis of LinkedIn profiles, it's clear that graduates from Kendall College of Art and Design predominantly find themselves in graphic design-oriented roles. Common jobs include Graphic Designer, Creative Designer, and various positions that require specialized skills in design, such as Junior Graphic Designer and Freelance Graphic Designer. These positions utilize the knowledge and skills acquired during their degrees, enabling them to express their creativity and technical know-how effectively in various professional settings.

However, not every job listed is perfectly aligned with graphic design. Some roles, like Executive positions or administrative support like at the NAVY EXCHANGE, show a departure from doing hands-on design work. Other positions blend marketing with some graphic functions but aren't solely focused on design. Overall, while the majority of jobs linked to graduates are relevant to graphic design, some drift toward business or administrative tasks, diluting their core creativity-focused education. Still, many of these alumni manage to integrate their design skills into their roles, indicating the versatility of a graphic design degree in the job market.

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 Kendall College of Art and Design):

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

Graduates from Kendall College of Art and Design who enter the graphic design field typically start off in roles like graphic designers or creative specialists. Many land their first jobs shortly after graduating, often in positions that leverage their design skills, such as digital creatives or graphic designers in various companies, including advertising firms, consulting agencies, and even educational institutions. A significant number of these graduates continue to work in graphic design or closely related fields. By five years post-graduation, many have progressed to more senior roles, such as lead designers or project managers. Others take on freelance opportunities, allowing them to diversify their portfolio and experience a range of design projects. It's clear that most graduates are able to find relevant work shortly after finishing college and often remain in the creative industry.

However, it's essential to recognize that not every graduate stays on a focused design path. Some venture into roles that aren’t directly tied to graphic design, such as marketing positions, administrative roles, or even working in completely different sectors like retail or tech. An intriguing observation is that while many successfully land design-related jobs, there are some who seem to drift away from graphic design roles over time. Especially for those who might have felt pressured to find work quickly post-graduation, positions in marketing or other areas become viable alternatives. Overall, it’s a mixed bag: many thrive and build promising careers in design, while some others end up exploring different career avenues, potentially sidestepping their design education along the way.

How hard is a Graphic Design degree from Kendall College of Art and Design?

Honestly, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design can be a pretty intense journey, but it's also super rewarding if you’re passionate about creativity and design. At Kendall College of Art and Design, like many art schools, you can expect a mix of challenging coursework that tests your skills in both software and traditional art techniques. You'll be diving into projects that require not just artistic talent but also concepts, critiques, and collaboration. Some folks find it easier than a typical degree because they love what they’re doing, while others might struggle with the workload and tight deadlines. It’s definitely not a walk in the park, but if you're into it, you'll find it really fulfilling!

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 Graphic Design.

Do Graphic Design graduates from Kendall College of Art and Design tend to make good money?

Looking at the job histories of these Kendall College of Art and Design graduates, it seems like some of them have definitely been able to climb the pay ladder, especially those who’ve snagged roles as Creative Directors or Design Managers. But not everyone is pulling in the big bucks—like the ones who’ve bounced around freelance or held jobs with a mix of graphic design and unrelated gigs, which might suggest they’re not making a ton of cash. Overall, it seems like if you stick with it and aim for solid positions, you can make decent money in this field, but it can take some time and luck to hit those higher-paying roles. So, if you're into graphic design, just be ready for some ups and downs!

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 Kendall College of Art and 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