Communication Design Schools in Pennsylvania

From Carnegie Mellon University to Penn State, Pennsylvania is home to some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities. While many top schools here are famous for law, medicine, science, and other prime fields, Pennsylvania’s top schools are also known for art and design. These schools offer a variety of art and design programs, ranging from fine art and film to communication design.

Communication design is a unique field that features elements of art, design, and communication. This means, students typically take a hodgepodge of courses such as art history, graphic design, writing, graphic design, creative computing, one or two languages, and even animation. Because communication design professionals have such a diverse skill set, they are qualified to work in a wide variety of fields such as advertising, graphic design, web design, multimedia, digital art and more. Just a few common job titles include art director, digital artist, creative director, graphic designer, content writer, and web designer.

Depending on the school, students may have the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B. F. A.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A), or even an M.F.A. in this field. Students may choose the M.F.A program if they are interested in teaching positions, research positions, or management.

Pennsylvania Communication Design Schools

According to the National Center for Education Sciences, Institute of Education Sciences (NCES IES) Pennsylvania is home to 262 accredited institutions, placing it at number three on the list of states with the most colleges. More than 600,000 students are enrolled, with more than 3,700 enrolled in Pennsylvania’s top art and design schools alone. Continue reading to review Pennsylvania’s best options for aspiring communication design artists and what they have to offer.
 
Kutztown
Kutztown University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Communication Design, Studio Art with Concentration in Digital Media

Pittsburgh
Carnegie Mellon University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. with Concentration in Electronic and Time-Based Media, Bachelor of Computer Science and Art (combined program), B. F. A. Communication Design; Masters of Entertainment Technology

More Communication Design related programs to consider:  

Employment and Salary Trends for Pennsylvania Communication Design Artists

Communication designer artists work in a variety of fields, so salaries and employment growth may vary depending on this and other factors such as experience, company, location, job title, and more. The following jobs represent only a few attractive options for communication design graduates:

Art Director - In 2002, Pennsylvania was home to 840 art directors. In 2002, the state was home to 850. Salaries have increased greatly since 2002, when art directors averaged $56,800. Today, they average $82,910. The median annual wage for art directors nationwide is $81,260.

Graphic Designer - Pennsylvania is home to 63,230 salaried artists and designers. Nearly 8,000 (or nearly 13 percent) are graphic designers. The population and salaries have increased at a steady pace since 2002 when the state’s 5,710 graphic designers earned $37,600. Today, the average salary is $44,010.

This figure has increased significantly since 2002 when the state was home to 5,710 graphic designers. Salaries are on the rise as well. In 2002, Pennsylvania graphic designers earned an average salary of $37,600. Today, they average $44,010. Nationwide, graphic designers average $43,500, up from $36,680 in 2002. Overall employment growth for graphic designers is expected to average 13 percent for the 2010-2020 decade.

Media and Communication Professional – Pennsylvania is home to 390 media and communications professionals, down from 880 in 2006. Although employment is down in this field, salaries have increased. In 2006, PA media and communications professionals averaged $40,480. Today, they average $42,070.

Multimedia Artist - Pennsylvania was home to 690 salaried multimedia artists & animators in 2002. Today, the state is home to 450.  Fortunately, salaries are on the rise. In 2002, the state’s multimedia artists & animators averaged $46,850. Today, the average salary is $53,190.

Communication designers, art directors, graphic designers, multimedia artists, and media and communications professionals fall under the major “artists and designers” group at BLS.gov. According to the Bureau, the U.S. is home to 1.7 million salaried artists and designers, up from around 1.5 million in 2002. Salaries are on the rise as well. The mean annual wage for salaried artists and designers was $41,660 in 2002. Today, the average salary is $53,850.