An Online Degree in Design
Anything around you made by people has been shaped by designers. But what designers get to shape goes deeper than what meets the eye.
"Design is about more than appearance," writes Adrianne LeMan, president of the largest association of designers in Europe.
"Good design is equally concerned with function: a well-designed chair looks good, but is also comfortable; a well designed teapot is elegant, but also pours well; a well-designed car is something to covet, but is also economical on fuel, doesn't pollute, doesn't rust and doesn't need servicing every week. Things that work well have been designed to work well."
What Careers are Available?
Distance learning and an online degree in design can prepare you for many types of careers. Specialties include ceramics, fashion, furniture, jewelry, textiles - and a newcomer, tattoo design.
Graphic design covers newspapers, magazines, brochures, typography, corporate identity, advertising, packaging, illustration, and graphics for multimedia, TV and film.
Thanks to the rapidly expanding Internet, a growing number of opportunities exist in web site design and web page design. You can make a big difference for your clients. The best web design and database design can become a valuable competitive edge.
Product or industrial design includes everything from cars and ships to hairdryers and shovels, as well as all the machines needed to make them.
Competition for jobs is keen. The key to a successful career in design is a portfolio and skills developed at a design school. What's the job outlook? The U.S. Dept. of Labor projects 10-20% growth in the field by 2012. About 532,000 designers were working in the U.S. in 2002.
Median salaries range from $19,480 for floral designers up to $52,260 for commercial and industrial designers. According to the Industrial Designer Society of America, industrial designers can make $100-$120,000 with about 20 years of experience.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Design Career Advice and Job Vacancies
