Advertising design classes are usually part of a whole program geared toward qualifying one to work in the advertising field. While one may just want to take an introduction to advertising design class to see if this is what they may want to pursue, this would not qualify them to compete in today’s job market. Most other ad designers will have specific program certificates and college degrees making it a competitive, yet demanding, career choice. The only other way to compete in the field is if one already has a strong portfolio of freelance work they have done.

Here are some frequently asked questions about advertising design classes and programs:

What type of person becomes an advertising designer?

Most people who become advertising designers are creative and artistic, but also enjoy the competitive edge of working in a business environment. Most will have an outgoing and ambitious attitude, the ability to work under pressure, the skills to work with well others, and the understanding of what drives people to buy. They also usually will have successfully completed some type of ad design program.

What type of advertising design classes are required?

A person usually enters into a program specific for advertising design and will have many different courses to take. Introduction classes will be required such as Introduction to Advertising, English composition, and Photoshop/Design/Illustrator Basics. Once many of the introductory classes are finished, the student would move on to more advanced and in depth classes covering topics such as color psychology, various computer graphic classes, project planning, copywriting, brand communication, and advertising media. Heavy loads of courses are usually not recommended because of all the pre-requisites that are required to enter into the next class.

How long are advertising design programs?

Programs range in length depending on what type of degree one is seeking. The range is between 9 months for a certificate program to 6 years for a master’s in advertising design. The most popular choice is the 4 year degree, which would provide someone with a Bachelor’s in Advertising Design. This is the type of degree many larger advertising companies have come to expect, although with a strong portfolio and freelance experience one can get a good job with only a certificate. Many choose to work for small local companies on contract positions to gain experience and help them get a better job upon completion of their degree.

What types of jobs are available for Advertising Designers?

An ad designer can expect to land a job in an advertising agency or media company as someone who develops packaging, book, and/or magazine design and layouts. Advertising agencies also need project coordinators to develop and launch ad campaigns. The companies who hire range in size and location from the bigger and better known agencies to the smaller and more localized agencies. A person entering the advertising design field will often start at more assistant-type level and after showing drive and capabilities can climb the ladder to more senior-type positions.

How much does an Advertising Designer make?

Wages will be dependent on the size and location of the agency, but the demand is high enough for designers that the median income is between $80,000 and $120,000 for those who have a 4 year degree and have taken all of the advertising design classes necessary.

Becoming an advertising designer can be a solid career choice. If one is debating whether this could be the right path for them, then taking 1 or 2 intro to advertising design classes may be the answer. This could give a foundation for other ad courses while also giving a person a background in other possible design programs as well.