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North Carolina Graphic Design Schools and Careers

Career Information for Graphic Designers in North Carolina

Graphic Designers picture    Graphic Designers image

Graphic designers, also known as graphic artists, use a variety of visual elements to promote or enhance a product, brand or company. They can have a typical 9 to 5 job or can work on a contract, or job, basis as consultants or freelance designers. Graphic artists can find employment at newspapers and magazines as well as in corporate businesses, advertising agencies, marketing companies and design firms.

Graphic Design Schools in North Carolina

A four-year degree in graphic design from a college or university is typically required for most graphic design positions. Many schools require students to complete a year of basic art and design courses before enrolling in a bachelor's degree program. As a student, you'll learn principles of design, printing techniques, commercial graphics production and website design. To be an even more effective designer, you can take additional courses in art history, business, psychology, writing, marketing and cultural studies. 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. North Carolina graphic design schools offer both online and traditional campus-based programs to give you the education and skills you need to become a graphic artist.

Graphic Designer Salaries in North Carolina

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects employment of graphic designers to grow 13 percent between 2008 and 2018. 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 5,200 graphic designers in the state, North Carolina graphic design schools are the perfect place to start your career as a graphic designer. Those in North Carolina earned an hourly median wage of $18.79, or $39,090 annually as of May 2009 (latest available data). Although there are opportunities throughout the state, graphic designers are concentrated in the metropolitan areas of Charlotte, Raleigh-Cary and Virginia Beach.

If you're interested in this creative and rewarding job, get more information from one of the following graphic design schools in North Carolina.

Schools for Graphic Designers in North Carolina are listed below.

Selected Graphic Design Schools in North Carolina

These schools offer particularly quick info upon request, and we have written detailed profiles for each (click school names to see the profiles).

Request info from multiple schools, by clicking the Get Info links.

The Art Institutes
Charlotte, Durham

The Art Institutes (AI) provides programs that stimulate the minds of its students with programs in design, the arts, game programming, culinary cuisine, and fashion.

  • Programs: Design, Media
  • Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor , Diploma
(Offerings vary by location; please request additional info.)

Selected Online Schools for Graphic Designers in North Carolina

SchoolLocationsDegreesQuick Info
DeVry University OnlineOnlineBachelorGet Info
AIU OnlineOnlineAssociate, BachelorGet Info
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online DivisionOnlineAssociate, Bachelor, DiplomaGet Info
Ashworth CollegeOnlineDiplomaGet Info
Herzing CollegeOnlineAssociate, BachelorGet Info

More North Carolina Graphic Design Schools

School NameCampusHighest AwardEnrolled
Appalachian State UniversityBooneDoctorate15,871
Campbell UniversityBuies CreekMasters & First Professional6,208
Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotteAssociate18,052
Chowan UniversityMurfreesboroBachelor875
Duke UniversityDurhamDoctorate & First Professional13,598
Elizabeth City State UniversityElizabeth CityMasters3,061
Forsyth Technical Community CollegeWinston SalemAssociate7,276
Lees-McRae CollegeBanner ElkBachelor882
Lenoir Community CollegeKinstonAssociate2,733
Lenoir-Rhyne UniversityHickoryMasters1,626
Living Arts CollegeRaleighAssociate325
Meredith CollegeRaleighMasters2,202
North Carolina A & T State UniversityGreensboroDoctorate10,498
North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleighDoctorate & First Professional31,802
Peace CollegeRaleighBachelor692
Piedmont Community CollegeRoxboroAssociate2,575
Pitt Community CollegeWintervilleAssociate6,499
Stanly Community CollegeAlbemarleAssociate2,390
Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleighAssociate12,238

Job Popularity in Metro Areas for Graphic Designers

The map below shows job statistics for the career type by metro area, for North Carolina. A table below the map shows job popularity and salaries across the state.

Metro Areas Rated for Popularity (as of 2008) for:
Graphic Designers

Listed below are metro areas ranked by the popularity of jobs for Graphic Designers relative to the population of the city, as of 2008. Salary data was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A Relative Popularity of 1.0 means that the city has an average number of the particular job, for its population, compared to the rest of the US. Higher numbers mean proportionally more jobs of that type.
Metro AreaJobsSalary
(2008)
Relative
Popularity

NORTH CAROLINA

   
Raleigh820$42,0601
Wilmington220$36,8001
Durham420$42,3900.9
Greensboro550$43,2000.9
Winston-Salem310$44,9200.9
Burlington70$38,0700.8
Asheville230$35,8000.8
Hickory200$38,6500.8
Greenville80$40,3600.8
Charlotte1,070$45,2500.7
Jacksonville40$39,1200.7
Fayetteville130$42,3400.7
Employment For:
All JobsGraphic Designers > North Carolina

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