Types Of Design Degrees
Whether you are new to the world of design or a professional already working in the field, there are many types of design degrees that can help you either become familiar with design, or further expand your knowledge and hone your skills even more.
Depending on the level of experience you have, on the amount of money that you are willing to spend, as well as the time you wish to devote to your studies, choose out of the various types of design degrees the one that suits you best. For example, if you are entering the world of design for the first time, you can choose one of the less advanced types of design degrees. In the beginning, you can find a seminar in design that will help you become more familiar with the concepts, the nature of this field of studies, and the potential job opportunities. If you believe that you deserve a place in this market, then you can opt for a diploma or a certificate in design, which will take about a year to complete (give or take a semester depending on the program), or pursue an associate’s design degree, which usually spreads over a two-year period (two years is admittedly a considerable amount of time, but it is still less compared to other types of design degrees.
Nevertheless, the most common of all types of design degrees is the bachelor’s. As most bachelor’s it takes around four years of study in order to obtain your degree and it involves a certain amount of commitment and an analogous budget. Your educational experience will include both a theoretical and a practical aspect, which means that will both have to wear a neck collar due to the long hours you will be spending on you desk, and complete a variety of courses by practicing your newly acquired skills; you will even have the chance to take internships that will contribute towards your working experience.
Your career, of course does not end with a bachelor’s (unless you want it to end), since there are even more advanced types of design degrees, such as a master’s or a PhD in design. Most professionals choose the former in order to expand their knowledge and acquire more skills that fall within their area of interest, while the PhD is for the brave ones who wish to be become experts in their fields and maybe follow an academic career in design. In both cases, the word that best describes these two types of design degrees is specialization. While the associate’s and the bachelor’s degrees provide you with a rather general education in design, those advanced types of design degrees provide you with the specific tools needed to master the art of design, whether that has to do with graphic design, web design, industrial design, product design, furniture design, etc.
All in all, if you are considering a career in design, you need to look over all types of design degrees, make a cost benefit analysis for each, and find out which one will best serves your goals.
