Christian Universities with Graphic Design Degrees

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

In our modern age of technology, social media, and online shopping, the field of Graphic Design is prolific and hard to miss. From company logos to website designs to email templates to animation, Graphic Design covers so much of our online experience. A graphic design degree teaches students to harness their creativity and build cohesive designs and work with technology all to communicate a message, tell a story, or promote a brand’s identity. The work of a graphic artist spans entertainment, communication, and business and is built on creativity.

Choosing to major in graphic design at a Christian college promises not just the cultivation of your creativity and skill, but also a culture of spiritual fellowship and encouragement. The technical prowess needed for a career in graphic design is readily taught by professors who can bring real-life experience into the classroom, as well as spiritual mentorship. A Christian college prepares you for your career with a graphic design degree, and a lifetime of serving and loving the Lord.

A list of career options for someone who chooses to major in graphic design:

• Animator: An animator is a professional artist who brings life and movement to 2D or 3D art, usually through the use of technology and software, in order to tell a story. The result is movies, cartoons, video games, anime, ect. Some of their main roles are storyboarding, creating backgrounds and characters, and drawing frame-by-frame to create movement.
• Graphic Designer: Graphic designers are artists who work with technology to create virtual pieces related to branding, websites, advertisements, or many other electronic visuals that inform, educate, or bring users to the desired platform. They work closely with marketing departments or clients to execute their vision and create designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and on-brand. Graphic designers have a strong grasp of both artistic design and technology.
• UI/UX Designer: UI/UX designers focus on designing and improving the user interfaces and user experiences of apps, websites, or software. This involves working on the interactive and visual aspects of these digital products, making sure they are appealing and easy to use.
• Illustrator: An illustrator is a professional artist who creates images or “illustrations” for books, magazines, text, advertisements, and digital media. They work to complement and bring to life ideas from clients or authors in their writing/content. They can be found in many industries, such as publishing, fashion, animation, and advertising. Illustrators are talented and practiced in using many mediums, like painting, sketching, and using digital tools.
• Game Designer: A game designer creates the art, visual design, and animation for games, including character development, maps, objectives, storyline, and scenarios. Game designing often involves some math, engineering, coding, and science in addition to animation and art.
• Art Director: An art director oversees all aspects of the visual appearance of a project. They work closely with directors, production, and other artists or designers to make sure all artistic decisions are consistent with the project’s desired look and feel. Art Directors often make decisions about color palettes, character designs, backgrounds, and other visual aspects.

Specific placement rates are difficult to pin down for all graduates with a graphic design degree, however, many sources believe that the opportunities for employment are high. Graphic design offers a relatively generous salary, with an estimated median salary of around $61,300 after a few years in the business. With a competitive salary outlook, even though the opportunities are believed to be many, you may still be competing with many others for career roles in your future. So, how do you prepare yourself in college to put your best, most “noticeable” foot forward after graduation?

Your portfolio is a huge part of what makes you marketable as any kind of artist, and a graphic designer is no different. Start working on your portfolio while you’re still in school, treating each assignment as an opportunity to flex your creative muscles, try new formats and styles, and show off your best. Not every project will be a winner but be sure to learn what you can about each assignment or personal project. Ask for detailed feedback from professors or other artists, take note of what they say, areas to improve, and what is working. While having a niche style or design format that you excel in is great, make sure to show some variety in your portfolio as well. Practice what you aren’t good at and perfect the things you are good at. Your portfolio is going to be what employers use to determine how capable you are as an artist, so be sure to show off your skill with it.

While talent is what will get you through the door, you also need something to get you in the door to begin with. That is what networking and internships are for. Networking is incredibly important in any field of work, as often our connections are what find us jobs. Network with professors, bosses, peers, other artists, and anyone you can who is working in the field you want to go into. Make a point of going to events within your desired field, meeting people, and striking up a conversation. Exchange contact information and ask them questions about their journey to where they are today. Your genuine interest in them can gain you a valuable contact and recommendation for future positions, and maybe even find you a mentor. Internships in the graphic design or art world are also key, showing future employers that you have experience and at least know a little about the workplace and what may be expected of you. Prioritize internships while you’re in college to make employment out of college, with your graphic design degree, as simple as possible.

So much of what graphic designers do depends on technology, so being proficient with tech, various design programs, and even having some knowledge of web design are crucial to succeeding with a graphic design degree. Of course, creativity is a “must” in a career that is dependent on aesthetics, as graphic design is. But, as with any artistic path, being able to take constructive criticism is also necessary as a client’s vision, ultimately, is more important than yours—since they’re the ones paying. Patience and adaptability go hand in hand with dealing with clients and making changes to your work. Being an effective communicator is also important, as you’ll likely be working with others, both in terms of clients and coworkers (unless you freelance, but even then you’ll need strong communication skills). Some understanding of business/marketing will prepare you well for designing with intent for businesses or companies looking to advertise or appeal to a specific audience. If you can juggle all these characteristics, you’ll be well prepared for a career in business, art, or even ministry!

Work Cited:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Graphic Designers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm (visited April 18, 2025).

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Exodus 35:35
"He has filled them with the skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.”

Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…”

Someone with a graphic design degree can have a profound impact in both the Church and in ministry. Art and visuals are not just part of expression for the artist, but interpretation and connection for the viewer. So, the visuals, effects, and even the font/typography used in worship services and slides for a pastor’s message can be an important part of how the congregation connects with and interprets what is said. Those who major in graphic design can be part of that impact.

Both churches and ministries operate, in some degree, like a business in that marketing themselves and their mission is part of the deal. Someone with a graphic design degree can be an integral part of designing promotional material that speaks to the community or social media. They can create designs, logos, visual messages, and more that effectively grab the attention of viewers and reach out to people in unexpected ways. There is no limit to who the Lord can reach through the work that He gives them to do.

With a graphic design degree, the career opportunities are ample, spanning the creative industry, business world, or even ministry. If you are a creative individual, technically proficient, patient, determined, and artistically gifted, then perhaps the Lord is leading you towards a graphic design degree!