Graphic design is the process of producing visual content, including posters, logos, infographics, websites, magazine spreads, and so much more. Although the term includes a broad spectrum of categories, a graphic design process includes the use of visual content, such as shapes, concepts in color, imagery, and typography, to communicate a particular message to the viewers.
Working as a graphic designer has its benefits, one of which is the ability to work remotely. You can specialize in various areas depending on the aspects of graphic design you like the most. You can focus on graphic design projects in the field of branding, motion and video, or even do packaging design. There are so many options that you will be spoiled for choice.
As online education has become more advanced, some schools provide quality programs at affordable prices across several disciplines. One of these schools is Masters Design Lab, which offers aspiring designers a unique opportunity.
Masters Design Lab students have the opportunity to learn high-quality design principles from designers with more than 15 years of experience working in some of the world’s largest corporations.
Masters Design Lab’s courses teach everything from basic design principles to what you need to launch a career as a graphic designer.
Choose the right course for you.What Is Masters Design Lab?
Masters Design Lab is an accredited online educator that offers students three different routes to pursue a graphic design education. This design school gives people worldwide the chance to earn diplomas and certificates that three separate European agencies accredit.
Seasoned design professionals, experienced industry designers, and academic leaders came together to form Masters Design Lab. The idea from the very beginning was to create a high-quality design school that focuses on the students and provides them with hands-on mentoring and feedback while pushing them to be the best designers they can be.
Only highly knowledgeable designers who have at least 15 years of experience and are working for big multinational brands are hired by Masters Design Lab. This philosophy ensures that students get direct contact with professionals who have a track record of achievement and longevity in their industries.
Masters Design Lab’s mission and the access it provides to experienced instructors are just two of the qualities that make this school unique.
What Makes Masters Design Lab Unique?
Masters Design Lab distinguishes itself from other design schools with three factors. It provides a valid accreditation that will help you advance your career, offers online courses, and students have direct access to skilled designers.
Accredited Credential
Masters Design Lab, unlike many other online educators, can offer its students an accredited credential backed by three separate organizations. This school is an accredited member of the European Centre of Independent Certification in E-Learning (ECICEL), the CPD Certification Service, and the European Association for Distance Learning.
These accreditation organizations have rigorous standards that members have to meet. The fact that this school meets the requirements of three organizations—including one for professional development—shows that it has something to offer for everyone at all stages of their rewarding careers.
Online Access
An accredited organization is one thing, but one that anyone can access is another. Masters Design Lab offers its curriculum at a flat international price no matter where students may reside. This accessible model evens the playing field for busy professionals and people who may not be able to attend a design school under normal circumstances.
Students can learn from anywhere from experienced designers who offer continuous feedback and mentoring. There are over 25 courses between the programs, and they come with unlimited one-on-one sessions and free access to the Adobe Suite. The school’s unique course portal helps facilitate its small cohorts, which ensure students get the attention they may need.
As part of its mission to bring accessible education to everyone worldwide, Masters Design Lab is also planning to expand to India with a cohort built for the country’s needs. Live sessions are planned for India’s time zone, but the curriculum of all programs will remain the same. Students will also have access to the mentors at Masters Design Lab.
Experienced Mentorship
We’ve mentioned Masters Design Lab’s experienced faculty, who have worked at companies including Facebook, Google, Converse, MTV, and Intel. The faculty is led by two veteran designers: Academic Advisor Michael Leblanc and Master Graphic Design Lecturer Dan Perri.
Michael has extensive expertise in several different design forms, along with more than a decade of previous experience as chair of NSCAD University’s design division. Dan has been working in Hollywood for over 50 years, and in that time he’s designed iconic film graphics and titles, including the Star Wars logo and text crawl, the title screen to Raging Bull, and more.
Every week and twice every other week, the mentors hold live studio lessons and live sessions for each design course to cover key concepts. If students can’t make those sessions, they can watch a recording at any time. Moreover, every week, students meet with their peers and teachers in live studio lessons to receive practice assignments and feedback.
This interactive instruction gives Masters Design Lab an advantage over self-study. You can try to learn graphic design principles by watching videos on YouTube, but this route gives you the critique, community, feedback, and practice you need to truly hone your skills.
Now that you’ve learned a bit about what sets this school apart, let’s discuss the school’s online courses in more detail.
An Overview of Masters Design Lab Programs
Masters Design Lab has four current programs for students at all stages of their graphic design journey. If you’ve never done any design before, you can start with the school’s nine-week program to get some foundational design instruction. If you’re looking to launch a career in design, there’s a four-and-a-half-month certificate program and a year-long program for those who want an intensive education from start to finish.
To increase accessibility, the school recently added a COVID-19 Relief Sponsorship to give more people the chance to enroll. Students who pay their tuition in one lump sum get 15 percent off of each tuition price, and students who pay early get 10 percent off each tuition price. Each program also offers payment plans and student loans to help students who may not normally be able to afford their program a chance to experience it.
After completing the year-long program, you’ll have all the graphic design skills you need to pursue a design job. To top it off, the school will soon establish a UX and Digital Product Design Course to help designers advance their careers even further.
Introduction to Graphic Design
This introductory program lasts for nine weeks and is for those interested in taking their initial steps into the world of design. Through the program’s four modules, students gain a solid foundation in essential graphic design concepts, including Adobe Illustrator, Introduction to Graphic Design, Color Theory, and Graphic Design History.
Even though this introductory program is shorter compared to the other three, students still acquire fundamental skills in graphic design, with bi-weekly live sessions, projects with professionals, community support, and more. The program costs $1,298. With a sponsorship, it comes down to $649. The cost can be split into up to three installments.
Graphic Design
This intermediate program lasts for four and a half months and consists of 11 graphic design courses, including two studio courses. This program is suitable for students seeking a more in-depth foundation in different elements of design or designers who have been working for a while and want to add a new skill set to their repertoire. Photoshop, Typography, Grids & Layouts, and other topics are covered in this training course.
This program is designed to teach the basic creative skills you will need to become a modern designer. The program costs $5,500. With a sponsorship, it costs $1,950. The tuition fees can be divided into five installments.
Graphic Design Advanced
This year-long program consists of 25 graphic design courses. Students who complete it earn an accredited diploma that showcases their graphic design mastery. Students learn graphic design concepts from top to bottom, including a variety of topics such as design, storytelling, copywriting, market research, and more.
This program is designed for beginners who want a profound introduction to the design world. The program costs $13,000. With sponsorship, it costs $7,900. Students can also opt to pay for the course over 12 months.
UX & Digital Product Design
This year-long program is expected to begin in April of this year. In this program, experienced designers get to step into the world of advanced digital work. The 16 graphic design courses in this program will cover topics including game design, graphic design project management, data visualization, design patterns, and more.
As this program comes to a close, students will be able to cover multiple roles at many different companies. This program provides a way for designers to prepare for the sweeping changes already taking place in the design industry. The program will cost $11,000, but with a sponsorship, it’ll cost $6,900. The cost of this program can also be split into 12 monthly payments.
Each of these programs comes with career advising and tips, as well as an internship placement service. Students can get a boost as they start their new careers with expert advice on working in graphic design, and the chance to learn on the job from a master while finishing their education.
All of these programs include self-paced work, and the more advanced courses also have live sessions. If you’re interested in any of these programs, prepare to commit at least 20 to 25 hours per week to your studies. However, the hard work can pay off, as you’ll have the opportunity to join a growing job market.
Is Graphic Design a Good Career?
The job market for graphic designers is showing signs of continuous growth. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 3 percent growth in the graphic design job market by 2030. Digital designers, on the other hand, are expected to be part of a job market that’s growing at 13 percent.
According to the most recent Dice Tech Job Report, graphic design is one of the top 20 occupations by job posting volume. This means that many companies are looking for skilled graphic designers who can use many of the same tools students conquer at Masters Design Lab.
Many graduates go on to work in a wide variety of roles as designers. These roles have differing salaries, according to PayScale, with entry-level graphic designers earning around $47,085. However, professionals who work their way up to job roles like product designers can expect to earn around $86,0767 after their promotion.
Design Your Future with Masters Design Lab
This program offers a chance for people without any design skill level to enter a growing field with solid pay. Best of all, you can take these courses from anywhere in the world at just about any time. Moreover, you can also earn a diploma or certificate, enhance your professional portfolio and practical skills, and gain access to the highest-paying jobs in the graphic design industry.
Depending on the program you join, you can also show potential employers that you have a strong foundation in graphic design and have mastered the key tools you’ll need in the business.
If you’re interested in learning about any of these programs, you can request more information at Master Design Lab’s website.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
