In today’s digital era in which the push for visual communication is at its peak, graphic designers play a more crucial role now than ever before. And to supply this growing demand, more and more people are breaking into the graphic arts industry through self-teaching and experience. 

That’s why, in such a saturated market, it’s important to differentiate yourself. While there are a few ways to go about this, one of the more surefire paths is through formal education. 

If you’re considering a route through formal education, one more crucial decision awaits: should you pursue a two-year or four-year graphic design degree? Not sure what the differences are? We’ll delve into the graphic design requirements of both to help you make an informed decision.

A Two-Year Graphic Design Degree:

For obvious reasons of time, a two-year associate’s degree may sound much more appealing than its longer four-year counterpart. However, there are also several tradeoffs you should be aware of before you make a decision:

The Pros:

• Time and Budget: Because two-year programs are shorter, they are typically less expensive. So if you’re short on time or on a limited budget, a two-year degree may be the better choice.
• Streamlined Curriculum: Whether it’s a basics-based course or a more specialized program, two-year degrees are going to concentrate on essentials. You can be confident that you’re receiving a more focused curriculum that teaches you the necessary skills to succeed in the industry right away.
• Industry Experience: As a two-year graphic design degree is usually more geared toward practice than academia, you’ll get greater focus on hands-on work that will allow you to gain industry experience alongside school. This can give two-year degree holders an upper hand when it comes to formally entering the workforce.
• Portfolio Building: Another advantage of pursuing a career-oriented degree is the ability to build a more competitive portfolio. With both academic and industry experience, you will have the opportunity to craft a well-rounded portfolio that showcases a range of techniques and contexts. 

The Cons:

• Narrow Skillset: While you’ll have the opportunity to focus on a specialized area within graphic design, this will likely be at the cost of a broad understanding of the field. This may limit your understanding of graphic design requirements when it comes to establishing a career path.
• Few Networking Opportunities: Although you may have the chance to gain industry experience in a 2-year program, it’s likely that you won’t have enough time to establish long-term professional relationships with the professors, professionals, and classmates needed to boost your career prospects.
• Impeded Career Growth: While a two-year degree may satisfy the requirements for a beginner-level role, when it comes to furthering your career or jumping into intermediate positions straight away, you may find it challenging. It can be difficult to compete for these positions with four-year degree holders. 

A Four-Year Graphic Design Degree:

If you’re a traditionalist, you may be tempted to enroll in a four-year degree right away. However, it’s important to be aware of all the benefits and drawbacks of a traditional four-year program.

The Pros:

• Breadth and Depth: In a four-year program, you’ll have plenty of time to learn the graphic design requirements of all the niches of graphic design, such as web design, 3D design, or advertisement. As a result, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision when it comes to picking a specialty in the field.
• Creative Autonomy: A longer degree will afford you plenty of opportunities to establish your own graphic style. You’ll have the support and encouragement you’ll need to learn and test multiple artistic techniques and methods so that you can express your creativity to the fullest.
• Plenty of Networking Opportunities: Although opportunities for industry experience may not be incorporated, pursuing a four-year degree will inevitably allow you to form stronger relationships with your professors, professionals and classmates, which can open doors to internships and opportunities throughout your career.
• Accelerated Career Growth: A traditional bachelor’s graphic design certificate can give prospective clients and employers the confidence that you’re committed and hardworking, which can lead to securing your first job and climbing the career ladder.

The Cons:

• Time and Budget: Arguably, the biggest drawback to a four-year education is the cost of tuition, as well as added unforeseen expenses along the way, such as books, materials, and electronics that may be necessary for completing your degree with ease and success. It’s also a four-year commitment, which is a significant investment. 
• Slow-paced: As you’ll be covering the full extent of what graphic design has to offer, the program is naturally geared toward those with little to no previous design experience. So if you’re already familiar with the basics and know exactly what you’d like to specialize in, the slower-paced curriculum may be less desirable. 
• Theory-based: Four-year graphic design programs tend to put more emphasis on design theory than on practice. This may make the transition from student to professional more challenging.
• Antiquated Curriculum: As graphic design is a fast-evolving field, some traditional programs can become dated and unable to keep up with new industry demands. Because of this, you may find that some four-year graphic design degrees are not able to connect you with contemporary ideas.

While both two- and four-year graphic design degrees have their merits and shortcomings, ultimately, the choice to pursue either degree hinges on personal roadmaps, expenses, and the graphic design requirements of your professional ambitions. 

Regardless of your decision, Cubebrush provides resources to help you along the way. In fact, you can even start with art school here.