Graphic design education is a broad field and covers many different sets of expertise. Logos, branding, the design of street signs and the words and design on the outside of an airplane all fall under graphic design. New software technologies and the Internet have changed the landscape of graphic design. Rarely do you see the creative director or art director (all names for graphic designers) sketching out ideas in detail with a pad and paper. Everything has gone to the computer. Cartography, computer-aided-design (CAD), advertising, multimedia and web design all assist the modern graphic designer.

You can find graphic design education and training in colleges and universities or you can get a journalism degree that emphasizes design. Looking for good sources of news and trends for graphic design training is not difficult. Consider the following points when looking for news and trends about graphic designer training:

1. Keep up to date with changes in graphic design schools by reading news and articles.

2. Visit or join graphic art design associations and societies for professional news that makes a difference.

3. Tap into the latest online graphic design education and training news and trends for info on logos and website design.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read about news and trends for graphic design programs and schools

Find out good schools to attend or the latest in design trends online with forums and graphic design sites that make it their business to keep up with what is happening in the field.

I recommend: Look to Adobe for design schools and education. They are perceptive to the latest trends and post timely articles and news about graphic design. Design-training.com also provides up-to-the-minute information about design education, employment and online graphic design topics.

Go online with a graphic designer education and training society or organization for your news

Sometimes the best place to find the latest news in your field is to tap into the pool of professional members of official organizations and groups in your field. Graphic designers have a number of organizations posting articles and news about the field.

I recommend: AIGA is a professional organization for design that regularly posts articles about the graphic art and design field. Go to EServer TC Library for a long list of organizations in graphic design.

Look at graphic designer education websites for news on logos, branding and website design

The following web links are as good as any online graphic design courses in keeping your finger on the pulse of the industry. Read these latest posts from those in the trenches and find out what is on these graphic design experts' minds. Learn about graphic web design and find forums, news and articles.

I recommend: Read articles and news to find out what you need to know about specialty trends and training at the Graphic Design School Review. AG Design offers a forum, links to articles and all kinds of goodies to keep you up-to-the-minute on graphic art design training. They especially have good info about graphic web design.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Do your research and go to the forums. Find out what other students and professionals are saying about graphic design schools and courses before putting a lot of money into any programs.

A career in graphic design can be an exciting and lucrative one. It allows you to express yourself in creative ways at the same time as challenging you with new technology. As a graphic designer, you can find yourself working in many industries such as advertising, education, entertainment, web design or journalism.

In order to have the best chance at a promising career it is important that you get the proper graphic design education and training.

When considering a career in graphic design you need to:

1. Obtain graphic designer education and training.
2. Choose the institution that is right for you.
3. Concentrate on gaining valuable experience.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find graphic design schools that offer Bachelor's degrees

A university with graphic design degree programs is going to provide you with the best, most complete and well-rounded education you can get. A university can also provide you with internships, job placement and other tools needed upon graduation.

I recommend: Have a look at graphic design programs offered at the Art Institute of Cincinnati, the University of Phoenix, or Brooks Institute.

Get an Associate's degree in graphic design at a community college

Many community colleges offer programs in graphic design. A two-year program gives you experience, an internship and job placement as well. A community college is cheaper in price and more accommodating to working adults.

I recommend: Find a local community college at Community College Web or Community College USA.

Go to a technical school to get graphic designer education and training

A technical school provides training that is more concentrated in preparation for the workforce immediately. Graphic design training programs may be a short as two weeks, or as long as two years.

I recommend: Search for technical graphic design schools at Technical Schools Guide or ACTE Online.

Get internships in the field while in school

An internship gives you valuable hands-on experience in a real working environment. Some internships are paid, but most are not. Do an internship during summer breaks while in college.

I recommend: Find an internship at AllGraphicDesign.com or ArtsOpportunities.org.

Find online graphic design courses

Online graphic design schools may generally not be as credible as bricks and mortar schools, but they are low-cost, easy access and effective. Most of the programs can be completed in your spare time at your own pace, but will give you the tools you need to success in graphic design.

I recommend: Earn one from the Art Institute Online, eLearners, University of Pheonix or from American InterContinental University Online.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Apply for financial aid, which is available in every level of training.
• •  Have a very professional, well-written resume.
• •  Spend much time putting together a good quality portfolio featuring samples of your best work.

If you’re seeking a job as a graphic designer for advertising, publications or media projects, it’s vital to hone your skills with formal graphic design education and training to discover industry trends, key tools and software and ways to visualize a client’s requests. Before embarking on a graphic design career, you may want to familiarize yourself with the educational requirements for securing a job with a publication or agency.

Discover information covering graphic design education and training for beginners that discusses the type, quality and amount of graphic designer training you’ll need to be marketable in the field. When looking for resources on graphic design education:

1. Find information on graphic design careers online to determine the types of graphic designer education or graphic design degree programs that will qualify you for the job you want.
2. Attend industry events to network with graphic design professionals to discover the best graphic design programs, graphic design schools and courses to prepare you for specific types of graphic design.
3. Discover online graphic design courses or a graphic design college near you to answer specific graphic design education and training questions.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out sites dedicated to graphic design to determine the graphic design training you'll need

By reading news articles and blogs on websites for graphic designers that discuss trend watches, projects and career descriptions, you'll not only be able to discover possible jobs, but also the graphic design training necessary to land them.

I recommend: A Digital Dreamer provides articles on such topics as graphic design classes, job options, schools and ways to turn your creative streak into a lucrative career. Discover everything from graphic design publications and supplies to a glossary of terms, graphic design techniques and education and employment opportunities through Graphic Design Info.

Network at graphic design trade events for information on popular graphic design courses

By joining a graphic design organization or attending conventions, seminars or mixers organized by industry associations, you'll get a feel for the graphic design degree programs and types of training that will benefit your career.

I recommend: Check the AIGA website for professional resources, graphic design education opportunities and social events to further your interests or let you network with other designers. AG Design provides resources for graphic designers such as business tips, blogs, a directory of events and a search engine to find the right graphic design course.

Research graphic design classes available through a graphic design institute near you

Once you've decided on the type of graphic design career you'd like to pursue and the education you'll require, find the right graphic design schools with graphic design programs to further those aspirations.

I recommend: Get more information on graphic design education and use the search engine at Graphic Designs Schools to search for an institution by state or specific school name. The site also features resources to find online educational opportunities. Find Your Art School features directories to help you discover a school or graphic design degree program based on location or type of program.

For those who are planning to receive an education in graphic design, it is vital to learn and understand the key terms for all of the various facets of a graphic design education. Whether you plan to work as a traditional illustrator or work with computer graphics, there are key terms for each discipline that describe every aspect of graphic design. Take the time to learn the key terms for graphic design education as you prepare to become a graphic designer.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Typography

Typography is the craft of arranging type or fonts on a page so that they are visually appealing. Typographers design typefaces or fonts and use them in graphic design, printing and other aspects of publication.

I recommend: Brian Cray offers 8 helpful tips for typography on the web.

Composition

Composition is the placement of type, photographs, art and other visual elements on a page. There are many creative ways of using composition to add visual excitement to graphic design projects from using large bold type to the placement of art and images. Composition is a huge part of graphic design and it is a vital area of study for all graphic design students.

I recommend: Learn about the importance of composition in graphic design at Design Skills.

Desktop publishing

Desktop publishing is the ability to use computer software to layout and design a project. Those who work in desktop publishing must have knowledge of many aspects of graphic design including layout, typography and page composition. Those who choose to do this type of work must have a graphic design as well as computer background.

I recommend: Read information about the history of desktop publishing at Design Talk Board.

Visual hierarchy

Visual hierarchy includes arranging images or type on a page to give importance through contrast, styling and placement. Visual hierarchy grabs your attention with visual elements that create an impact.

I recommend: Gather information about visual hierarchy in graphic design at Graphic Design the Basics.

Package design

Package design is the ability to create exciting packages for products with fonts, art or photographic images. Package design includes everything from grocery store boxes, perfume boxes and paper bags. Graphic designers who work in package design learn how to use certain colors and patterns to draw consumer attention to product packaging. Package design is a specific area of study for graphic design students.

I recommend: Browse through the examples of package design at Abduzeedo.

Photo retouching

Photo retouching removes blemishes and problems and may also add new elements to photographs. Magazine publishers, newspaper publishers and editors use photo retouching for advertisements of models and celebrities as well as images of places and things.

I recommend: Read the overview of photo retouching and how it is used in graphic design at Go Freelance.