First, some facts. Of the Graphic Design graduates from Savannah 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 47 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 85%, Graphic Design graduates from Savannah College of Art and Design have a much higher likelihood (+18%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 6% 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:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from Savannah College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONVisual Design InternGroupon Sep 2013 - Nov 2013 Graphic Designer Provision Health Partners Dec 2013 - Nov 2014 Graphic Designer Vectorworks Nov 2014 - Feb 2016 Graphic Designer Ainsley & Co. Feb 2016 - Feb 2017 Graphic Designer idfive Feb 2017 - Nov 2018 Graphic Designer imre Nov 2018 - Feb 2020 Senior Designer imre Feb 2020 - Sep 2021 Art Director imre Sep 2021 - Nov 2022 Senior Art Director imre Nov 2022 - Apr 2024 Art Supervisor imre Mar 2024 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
So, if you look at the career paths of recent graduates from the Savannah College of Art and Design, the common theme is that many of them head straight into roles like Graphic Designer, Freelance Designer, and various positions in creative direction or art direction. It's clear that the bulk of these jobs leverage the graphic design skills and knowledge gained during their studies, making them highly relevant to the degree. For instance, roles like Graphic Designer at different companies or freelance positions allow these individuals to showcase their creativity and application of design principles in real-world scenarios, which is pretty much the bread-and-butter of what they learned in school.
However, not every job they take is perfectly aligned with graphic design. Some graduates move into roles that pivot more towards management or marketing, such as Marketing Coordinator or Creative Services Manager, where they may still utilize some design skills but also engage in broader responsibilities that aren't solely focused on graphic design. A few even took paths that seem pretty distant from design altogether, like working in sales or as front desk personnel, indicating that while many graduates find fulfilling careers directly tied to their education, others venture into areas that might not fully utilize their graphic design potential. Overall, though, the most common types of jobs are definitely in the design sphere, reflecting a strong connection to their academic background!
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 Savannah College of Art and Design):
Graduates from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with a degree in Graphic Design tend to follow pretty engaging career paths. Right after graduating, it's common to see many of them land roles as Graphic Designers or take up freelance positions to build their portfolios, which can range from smaller companies to agencies, and even in-house teams. For instance, those who graduated around 2010 and 2011 quickly moved from junior roles to positions like Senior Graphic Designer or even Creative Director within five to ten years. It reflects a solid trajectory where they not only make a name for themselves in the industry but often step into leadership roles, and some even start their own businesses. This all points to a healthy pattern where early opportunities can lead to more significant roles in reputable companies or entrepreneurship down the line.
However, it’s worth noting that while most graduates find their way into relevant roles, some do end up in positions that aren't directly related to graphic design, especially in the early stages of their careers. For example, among those who graduated in 2020, there were instances of people working as retail associates before finding design positions. Still, as time passes—like five or ten years after graduation—many tend to settle into design-related jobs once they gain more experience and build their networks. Overall, the outlook for SCAD Graphic Design graduates seems promising, with many achieving fulfilling careers in various aspects of design, advertising, and creative leadership. So, if you're considering this path, it looks like a solid choice with plenty of growth potential!
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design can be pretty challenging, especially at a place like Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), which has a strong focus on creativity and technical skills. You’ll be juggling projects, deadlines, and critiques, all while trying to develop your own unique style. You’ve got to be open to feedback and willing to refine your work constantly. It’s a mix of art and some pretty complex software skills, so if you're passionate and prepared to put in the hard work, it’s totally doable. Just know that it might feel a bit intense at times, but that’s all part of the learning experience!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design.
Looking at these SCAD grads, it seems like many of them have carved out pretty solid careers, especially those who graduated a bit earlier, like in 2010 and 2011. For example, some have worked their way up to creative director positions, which usually means they're pulling in decent salaries. Freelancing is pretty common too, and while it can be hit or miss income-wise, those who have managed to start their own businesses or keep steady freelance gigs are likely doing alright financially. However, recent grads might still be hustling a bit more, taking on internships and entry-level jobs, which typically don’t pay as well. Overall, it looks like most of these folks have found ways to make a decent income in the graphic design world, but it's a mixed bag depending on when they graduated and how much experience they’ve gained.
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 Savannah College of Art and Design). This may or may not be useful:
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: