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.
North Carolina Visual Communications Schools
North Carolina is home to 139 Title IV colleges and universities. A Title IV school is eligible for financial aid programs, making them more accessible to students with financial need. North Carolina’s eligible colleges and universities offer programs for aspiring artists, designers, and communications professionals of all kinds. Just a few popular options include Duke University, Fayetteville State University, and Barton College. Continue reading to find out which North Carolina schools are tops for visual communications majors and what they have to offer.
Durham
North Carolina Central University - Degrees Offered: B. A. Art with Concentration in Visual Communications
Wilson
Barton College - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art and Design with Concentration in Visual Design, B. A. Visual Communications
Greensboro
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University – Degrees Offered: B. A. Visual Arts (Visual Media Design), B. S. Graphic Communication Systems
More Visual Communications related programs to consider:
- Atlanta, Georgia; Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and SCAD eLearning
- Animation – BFA, MA, MFA
- Film and Television – BFA, MA, MFA
- Graphic Design – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Illustration – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Immersive Reality - BFA
- Interactive Design and Game Development – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Motion Media Design – BFA, MA, MFA
- Sequential Art – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Visual Effects – BFA, MA, MFA
- User Experience (UX) Design – BFA
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#3) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#12) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#9) - 2020
- Top 40 Nationally for Illustration (#9) - 2020
- San Francisco & Online
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#15) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#23) - 2020
- Top 40 Nationally for Illustration (#29) - 2020
- Winter Park, FL & Online
- Computer Animation - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Game Programs - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Graphic Design & Digital Arts - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Film & Digital Cinematography - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Mobile Development - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Simulation & Visualization - Bachelor's - Campus
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#19) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#17) - 2020
- Top 5 in Florida for Graphic Design (#4) - 2020
- Online
Employment and Salary Trends for North Carolina Visual Communications Professionals
According to the latest report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state of North Carolina is home to 37,420 artists and designers. This includes visual communications professionals, multimedia artists, graphic designers, art directors, and more. The population has increased since 2002, when it was around 30,390. Salaries have increased as well. The average salary for North Carolina artists and designers was $36,400 in 2002. As of March 27, 2012, the average salary was $47,250.
It is important to note that salaries vary by industry, education, company, experience, location, and more. For example, many visual communicators eventually become art directors. The average salary for an art director living in North Carolina is around $84,180 per year. This is higher than the nationwide average of $80,630 per year, but lower than California where the average salary for art directors is $108,430 per year.
Visual communications professionals in North Carolina still do very well. They average around $51,000 per year and even more in most major cities. According to salary reporting sites such as Simply Hired, the average salary for visual communications professionals in Durham is around $65,000. In Charlotte and Raleigh, the average is $57,000 per year and in Greensboro and High Point, the average salary is $51,000 per year. Wilmington and Fayetteville are at the lower end of the pay scale at $47,000 and $46,000, respectively.
