Profiles of Schools/Colleges in North Carolina (NC) Offering Animation, Design, Gaming, and Media Related Programs

Digital media artists have such a vast skill set, that their expertise can be used in a variety of fields from animation to publishing. To be more specific, digital media artists can find work in film and television, game design, advertising, photography, public relations, graphic design, web design, education, consulting, non-profit organizations/foundations, digital art, government, and museums. In the state of North Carolina, ad agencies, newspapers, electronic media companies, non-profit organizations, museums, graphic design studios, and more are always searching for fresh talent.

Visual communications artists work in a variety of fields from advertising to web design. They communicate ideas through the use of digital art, illustration, graphic design, and more. Visual communicators create everything from posters and packaging to designs for print publications, and productions. To be successful in world of visual communications, you must have a bachelor’s degree (minimum), several years of experience, and advanced technical skills. Common software programs for this field include Illustrator, Flash, InDesign, and Photoshop, to name a few. Fortunately, a large number of colleges across the U.S. offer top-tier programs for aspiring visual communications professionals. Several are located in the state of North Carolina.

The city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina features hundreds of media-related companies and a strong community of mixed media artists. These days, more and more Winston-Salem artists are pursuing careers in the field of audio-visual arts, and editing is the most available occupation in this field.

North Carolina is home to some of the nation’s best schools for artists and designers. These schools are “Title IV schools,” meaning they are eligible for Title IV financial aid programs. The state’s 139 Title IV schools earned this status based on fulfillment of five special requirements. Title IV schools (1) grant an associate's degree or higher, (2) have accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, (3) have signed a participation agreement with the Department, (4) have been in business for at least 2 years, and (5) offer a program of at least 300 clock hours in length.