What Will You Create?
Many people are leery of taking art degrees because they believe it won't lead them into a viable career. In reality, there are many tangible career paths that come out of art degrees, from graphic designer and photographer to fashion designer and much more.
For those who wish to become "artists" and practice a particular craft, if you're willing to work to develop marketing and self-promotion skills, there are many opportunities for self-employment that can be very lucrative.
Types of Art Degrees
Art degree is a broad term and can be used to roll up any number of fields of study. Common types of art degrees include:
- Fine art / visual art degree. Fine arts and visual arts programs focus on artistic skills and techniques, such as drawing, ceramics, painting, etc., as well as art appreciation and how to market yourself in the art world.
- Art history degree. Art history degrees are often offered at the post-graduate level to help students deepen their understanding of historical periods as reflected by art.
- Media / digital media art degree. These programs focus on using computers and software to design, and focus on areas like graphic design, web design, animation, film, etc.
Design degrees, such as fashion design and interior design, may also be rolled up under specific categories of art degrees.
Getting Your Art Degree
While you may think of an art degree as something you need to take at a school, depending on your particular area of focus, it is possible to get your art degree online. The most common online art degree programs are photography, graphic design, fashion and interior design.
When taking a program online, students will be required to download specific software to use for assignments, and will be required to participate in discussions and testing online. Students may also be asked to submit a portfolio electronically, and may be asked to critique those of their online classmates.
Courses that focus on hands-on techniques over software, such as pottery, drawing, etc., are typically offered only through brick-and-mortar institutions, where students can benefit from having supplies at their finger-tips and a qualified instructor demonstrating techniques. These programs will also require students to establish a portfolio, which will be critiqued by a professor and their peers.
