Discover a range of career options in the graphic design industry, including Art Director, UI/UX Designer, and more.
In a visually noisy world, graphic design dominates the landscape around us. From product packaging and app interfaces to billboard displays and instruction leaflets, visual communication mediums are constantly competing for our attention.
Are you passionate about making your mark as a visual communicator, creative storyteller and innovative designer? On top of elevating your creative vision, pursuing an MA in Graphic Design can unlock exciting in-house, freelance, and consultancy career opportunities.
Whether you're interested in branding, digital media, advertising or user experience design, you'll gain an advanced level of visual literacy. You'll also acquire the transferable skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a variety of creative industries or even to start your own agency or business.
Here are just some rewarding career paths you could pursue as an MA Graphic Design graduate:
Art Director
Art Directors are responsible for overseeing the visual style and imagery in print and digital media campaigns. They work closely with creative teams to ensure that the artistic vision is aligned with the brand's objectives. Art Directors often manage a team of designers and collaborate with copywriters, photographers, and other creative professionals to bring campaigns to life.
Brand Strategist
Brand Strategists help companies define their brand identity and positioning in the market. They conduct market research, analyse consumer behaviour, and develop strategies to differentiate brands from their competitors. A deep understanding of graphic design principles can be invaluable in crafting visual elements that resonate with target audiences and reinforce brand messaging.
Creative Director
Creative Directors are visionary leaders who oversee the creative direction of projects and campaigns. They collaborate with clients, account managers, and creative teams to conceptualise and execute innovative ideas that meet business objectives. Creative Directors often have a strong background in graphic design and a keen eye for aesthetics.
Freelance Designer
Many graphic design professionals choose to work independently as freelancers, offering their services to clients on a project-by-project basis. Freelancing offers flexibility and autonomy, allowing designers to pursue a diverse range of projects across various industries. From logo design and branding to illustration and web design, freelance graphic designers have the freedom to explore their passions and cultivate their unique style.
Graphic Designer
While this is the most obvious career choice, it encompasses a wide range of industries with varying goals. Graphic designers create visual concepts to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. From designing logos and branding materials to crafting marketing collateral and digital assets, graphic designers play a crucial role in shaping the visual identity of brands and organisations. Michael Beirut’s career is a great example how rich and storied a graphic designer’s journey can be.
Typographer
Typographers are responsible for both designing new and exciting typefaces and arranging text to make it visually appealing and readable. They meticulously select fonts, adjust spacing, and consider various typographic elements to create harmonious and effective layouts. Their expertise lies in balancing aesthetics with functionality to enhance communication through written language. Edward Johnston is an example of a craftsman whose work in typography made a solid, global impact. He was the creator of the Johnston typeface, the lettering of which has become a core part of London’s visual identity.
UI/UX Designer
In today's digital landscape, user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design are critical aspects of product development. UX and UI designers focus on creating intuitive, user-friendly interfaces for websites, mobile apps, and software applications. They conduct user research, design wireframes and prototypes, and collaborate with developers to bring designs to fruition.
Studying an online MA Graphic Design at Arts University Bournemouth
Whether you aspire to work for a creative agency, start your own design studio, or pursue freelance opportunities, our online MA Graphic Design course is the ultimate stepping stone towards your ambitions.
On top of helping you build an industry-ready portfolio, we’ll empower you to answer the big questions about the graphic design industry. How can we harness the power of graphic design to shape a fairer, more accessible world? How do we put real people at the centre of our design processes, and how do we make our messages understandable to audiences across all languages and cultures?
By exploring every aspect of visual communication – from iterative processes to the behavioural psychology that underpins design – you'll develop a profound understanding of your discipline.
If you're keen to pursue these fascinating lines of enquiry and take the next step in your design career, check out our online MA Graphic Design. As an online student, you’ll also study alongside a vibrant cohort of fellow creatives from across the globe, who will offer fresh perspectives on your passion.
Featured image credit: Steph Horan