Welcome to Career Corner, a new section in Cougar News which highlights workforce education programs at Collin College. Today, we are focusing on the college’s graphic design program in the Communication Design department.
Graphic Design Career Facts
- Average Salary: $51,600*^
- Job Outlook: 14% growth*
What graphic design degrees and certificates are available at Collin College?
Certificate Level 1 – Graphic Design
Certificate Level 3 – ESC – Advanced Design Illustration
Certificate Level 3 – ESC – Motion Graphics
Certificate Level 3 – ESC – User Experience Design
Student Perspective
“The program did a great job of covering a lot of important parts of design in a short amount of time. I learned everything from technical to professional skills I would need to land a job in the field.
I really appreciated the passion and insight that a lot of the professors had for the Communication Design industry. It made me feel like I was working toward a career and not just a job.”
– Karen Carrillo, graphic designer at Winzer Corporation, Collin College Alumna
Professor Perspective
“It can be a very fulfilling career, especially for someone with a creative spark. A lot of creatives don’t have the opportunity to be creative unless they are presented with a problem or challenge. Working in the field of graphic design, you are presented with new, exciting challenges that let you use your creative spark in different ways every time. I’ve been engaged in the industry for over 20 years, I see it every day and continue to work closely with members of the industry.
“I have colleagues and former students working for some of the top firms and brands in the world. The creative challenges range from developing unique graphics to express a brand’s identity to overseeing photo and video productions to creating new ways to engage target audiences by using cutting-edge technology in all-encompassing experiential environments. There is a lot of depth there are and a lot of challenges to what we do. I love the field.
“It is definitely a growth industry. More and more people are understanding the value of communication. That is greatly stimulating advertising/design growth, not only in the traditional agency setting, but companies are also seeing the need to develop internal creative departments. I can see the field growing until it becomes a standard practice to have a creative inside your company helping you communicate your message.”
– Laura Flores, professor of Communication Design
For more information about the graphic arts and communication design programs at Collin College and more alumni testimonials, visit http://www.collin.edu/department/communicationdesign/index.html.
* Data obtained from JobsEq (Collin County), O*NET
Note: Job growth projected from 2018-2023
^Note: The earning potential for employees with certifications and associate of applied science degrees may exceed the average salary.