Discover the Best Graphic Design Classes in San Diego
Graphic design is the creative act of producing attractive artwork that communicates a message. For example, advertisements, user interfaces, animation films, websites, and even book covers all need graphic designers who can produce intricate and attractive art. Typically, the graphic design process integrates digital design programs, like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, to help make designing and executing artwork simpler and more effective.
While graphic designers primarily work with images, they must also master proper text layout, font selection, color integration, and shadowing to produce beautiful work. Learning this skill in San Diego is a great way to transition to a creative and financially rewarding career, one that can take you to the next level in your life. Thankfully, San Diego has many high-quality graphic design schools and classes that can teach you the techniques necessary for this skill.
Best Graphic Design Classes & Schools in San Diego
San Diego is an educational center for much of California and has many universities, community colleges, and learning centers where you can master graphic design skills. In fact, there are so many available options that it may seem hard to choose just one. Thankfully, we’ve researched the finest available options so you don’t have to! Without further ado, here are the best graphic design schools and classes in San Diego, including in-person and digital learning experiences.
San Diego State University School of Art + Design
San Diego State University School of Art + Design, or SDSU, is a unique learning community that focuses on teaching a diverse array of students the theories, techniques, and concepts necessary for producing art in multiple mediums. You’ll not only learn how to use graphic design software to create attractive artwork but learn about art history, drawing, sculpting, painting, and other subjects that interest you. When done, you’ll have a bachelor’s degree and an art portfolio.
San Diego City College
If the university experience intimidates you or seems out of reach for your current financial health, consider San Diego City College. This small and intimate community college provides a graphic design associate’s degree that covers subjects as diverse as packaging design, advertising, communication, branding, logo production, environmental design, and much more. You’ll also learn how to produce attractive websites and create a portfolio of work when done.
Noble Desktop
Noble Desktop is a New York City training facility with three decades of educational experience. They also provide online courses in coding, design, and business that San Diego residents can take if they prefer digital learning environments. Noble Desktop’s graphic design class includes hands-on training with a skilled professor who covers Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, alongside important graphic design concepts like coloring and shading.
CourseHorse
CourseHorse is a unique educational booking platform that connects you with multiple educators across various fields. Its classes include in-person courses, which usually cover all your learning materials, and online programs that you can attend anywhere you have an internet connection. CourseHorse helps educational professionals reach students more effectively and makes it easier for you to schedule graphic design classes that interest you.
For example, Kelar Pacific offers a Primavera P6 EPPM Basic course that teaches students how to use this program to create artwork. Similarly, San Diego Continuing Education provides classes like Graphic Design: Logo and Branding and Graphic Design: Typography and Lettering that teach you hands-on design skills that can improve your career. Like all CourseHorse programs, you pay no booking fee and can adjust your schedule until the class starts.
UC San Diego
UC San Diego provides an accelerated graphic design program that includes video-based classes three times a week over 12 months. When finished, you’ll earn a certificate that verifies your graphic design skills on programs like Adobe Creative Cloud. During this course, you’ll get an immersive experience that covers essential theoretical concepts, as well as in-depth practice in producing attractive and engaging projects for your art portfolio.
San Diego Industries That Use Graphic Design
San Diego has a fascinating and modern economy that attracts tech-based companies and helps them thrive in the area. As a result, there are many industries throughout the region that may hire graphic designers like you. Most of these markets focus heavily on technology, so keep that in mind before applying. With that said, let’s take a look at a few of the most popular industries for graphic designers throughout the greater San Diego region:
- Print Publishing: San Diego has several print publishers that may need graphic designers to produce book covers, advertising artwork, magazine layouts, and other important materials. They include Reed Elsevier, Plural Publishing, Torrey Pine Press, Children’s Workshop Publications, and Advantage Publishers Group, many of which have over 20 years of experience.
- Web Design: San Diego is a significant part of California’s tech-based economic boom and has multiple web design firms that may need graphic designers to create beautiful and effective websites. These companies include Mindgruve, Dog & Rooster, The Control Group, BVAccess, Storm Brain, Seamgem, PINT, Neubloc, and many startups that may hire you.
- Software Development: Businesses that create software often need graphic designers to produce user interfaces, graphics, text layouts, and other important visual elements. Like many other cities in California, San Diego hosts multiple software development teams. These include BL3NDlabs, TATEEDA, Oui Will, Small World, and Simplexity Product Development.
- Game Making: Surprisingly, San Diego is home to some of the biggest names in game development, like Rockstar Games, Playstation, The Behemoth, and Naquatic. These firms need graphic designers to produce game backgrounds, characters, animations, and much more. If you’re interested in games, San Diego is a great place to start your career.
- Brand Development: Brand development firms help companies create coherent branding strategies that include logo design, color choice, mascot development, and ad creation. San Diego has many brand development companies that may hire you, including Emplicit, eSEOspace, Intero Digital, Traina, Runningfish, Lien Design, and more.
- Digital Advertising: In today’s internet-obsessed world, digital marketing helps companies thrive by reaching a broader customer base. Digital advertising businesses often hire graphic designers to create online ads, manage marketing campaigns, and produce attractive sites for customers. San Diego firms like RevLocal and Brand & Mortar need graphic designers like you.
- Social Media Management: Social media not only helps people from around the world stay connected but also provides a valuable advertising platform for many businesses. San Diego social media companies like Fresh Content Society, Expertise.com, Ark Marketing & Media Solutions, and eSeach Marketing need graphic designers to create successful social media campaigns.
Graphic Design Jobs & Salaries in San Diego
You should be able to find many career opportunities in the San Diego industries mentioned above. Each of the jobs mentioned below utilizes multiple graphic design concepts and provides fair compensation that can help you live comfortably in this big city. Here are a few of the most popular jobs in this market throughout the San Diego region:
- Graphic Art Manager: Graphic art managers produce attractive designs, such as intricate signs, while leading a team of multiple employees. In San Diego, they average a $128,000 salary.
- Ad Creator: As an ad creator, you’ll produce eye-catching advertisements that engage customers. Expect to make between $36,000 to $42,000 in this career in San Diego.
- Web Designers: San Diego web designers make an average of $55,000 annually producing interesting and appealing websites for their customers.
- Art Director: Skilled art directors manage their customer’s general style to provide a coherent look. They can make an average of $153,000 annually in San Diego.
- Branding Expert: Branding specialists use graphic arts skills to produce logos and marketing materials that meet a business’ branding. They make an average of $45,000 in San Diego.
- User Experience (UX) Designer: A UX designer makes it easier for software and appliance users to handle their devices. They make an average of $75,000 in San Diego.
- User Interface (UI) Creator: UI creators design user interfaces for websites, software programs, and more. They earn an average of $106,000 in San Diego.
Made in NYC
