Minnesota Graphic Design Schools and Careers

Graphic designers, also known as graphic artists, use a variety of visual elements to promote or enhance a product, brand or company. Graphic designers can have a typical 9 to 5 job or can work on a contract, or job, basis as consultants or freelance designers. They can work for corporate businesses, advertising and design agencies or publishing companies.

Graphic Design Schools in Minnesota

To become a graphic artist, formal education is required to enter the profession--you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree in graphic design from a college or university. Many schools require students to complete a year of basic art and design courses before enrolling in a bachelor's degree program. Graphic design coursework often includes, but is not limited to, studio art, website design, printing techniques, computerized design and commercial graphics production. Some designers may find it helpful to take additional courses in psychology, writing, marketing, business and foreign languages. It is important to note that graphic designers must also be creative and have the ability to showcase their ideas to clients or art directors. There are many graphic design schools in Minnesota--both online and campus-based--that can teach you everything you need to know to become a graphic designer.

Graphic Designer Salaries in Minnesota

As the demand for graphic designers continues to increase, employment should grow 13 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). As projects for interactive media--such as websites and mobile phones--continue to grow, those who have experience in website design and animation will be able to find better employment opportunities. With more than 5,300 graphic designers in the state, Minnesota graphic design schools are the perfect place to start your career as a graphic designer. In Minnesota, graphic designers earned an hourly median wage of $20.47, or $42,580 annually, in May 2009 (latest available data). Although there are opportunities throughout the state, graphic designers are concentrated in the Minneapolis metropolitan area, the Fargo ND-MN area and St. Cloud. Those in Rochester, the Minneapolis area and St. Cloud earned the highest annual median salary.

Whether you want to work for a big advertising company, start your own design firm or do part-time freelance work, earning a degree from one of the following Minnesota graphic design schools will help you achieve your goals.

Fast Facts for Graphic Designers in Minnesota

• Cities with highest percentage of jobs relative to population: Minneapolis and Rochester
• Cities with lowest percentage of jobs relative to population: Duluth and St. Cloud
• Cities with the highest absolute number of jobs: Minneapolis and Duluth

Salaries for Graphic Designers in Minnesota

• Metro areas with the highest median salaries: Rochester and Minneapolis