As technology continues to evolve, notably through the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the digital space, there are more opportunities for you to pursue a career within digital design. The web and digital design field includes careers in graphic design, augmented and virtual reality (extended reality), and web development. You could advance your career in this innovative industry with a bachelor’s in web and digital design. The skills you learn in this program can be universal, allowing you to tailor your degree to match your desired career and give you flexibility in the job market.
What careers could you pursue with a bachelor’s in digital and web design?
The job market for web and digital design specialists continues to grow each year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of web and digital designers is projected to grow 16 percent from 2022 to 20232 with about 19,000 job openings each year, much faster than the average overall job growth of three percent across all industries. In addition, the median annual salary for web and digital interface designers was $98,540 in 2023.
Careers that students who graduate with a bachelor’s in web and digital design could pursue include web developer, UX/UI designer, digital content creator, full-stack developer, graphic and interactive media designer, CMS specialist, and many other positions.
“A student with a bachelor's in web and digital design from University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) can pursue a variety of job titles across multiple industries,” says Dr. David P. Johnson, portfolio director and professor of web and digital design at UMGC. “These job titles reflect the diverse skill set acquired through the program, allowing graduates to adapt to various roles in the rapidly evolving field of web and digital design.”
What current trends could you learn in the web and digital design program?
Because there are so many technology trends that impact the web and digital design industry, it is important to consider a program that allows you to specialize in a specific area and understand how these trends relate to the career you want. For example, the bachelor’s in web and digital design from UMGC offers three focus area options so students can align their degree with their career: web design and development, digital design, and extended reality (augmented and virtual reality).
In the web design and development focus area, students learn about responsive and mobile-first design using HTML and CSS, emphasizing the creation of websites that adapt seamlessly to various screen sizes. The program also covers user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design principles, focusing on usability and creating user-friendly interfaces.
“The web design and development focus area provides hands-on experience with the modern web technologies of UX and UI,” says Dr. Johnson. “Additionally, students will explore advanced JavaScript techniques and content management systems (CMS) to build dynamic, interactive websites.”
The digital design focus area highlights trends such as digital image editing and illustration using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, ensuring students can create and edit high-quality digital images. The focus area also covers electronic publishing with Adobe InDesign, teaching students to produce professional digital publications. Students can take courses that include image editing, electronic publishing, digital video compositing, special effects, and interactive multimedia product creation.
In the extended reality focus area, students are introduced to 3D modeling and animation, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) design, and game design principles. This helps students become well-versed in these cutting-edge technologies, which many employers look for.
“This (extended reality) focus area aligns with the growing demand for immersive experiences and prepares students for various roles in the digital design industry, providing them with the skills to develop, test, and deploy immersive VR and AR experiences,” says Dr. Johnson. “The web and digital design program at UMGC is highly flexible, so students can take courses in any of the three focus areas to complete their degree program in a way that best fits their career and professional goals.”
How has the rapid growth of AI impacted the field of digital design?
AI has the potential to revolutionize digital design by automating tasks, personalizing experiences, and enhancing interactivity. In web design, AI-driven tools can generate layouts, design elements, and entire websites, while analyzing user data to deliver personalized content and user-friendly interfaces. AI-powered chatbots provide real-time support, and AI can streamline content creation.
In extended reality, AI enhances realism and interactivity through procedural generation of detailed virtual worlds and adaptive learning experiences. It can also create 3D models and environments, offering insights for optimizing user experiences. AI is also advancing the capabilities of avatar non-playable characters (NPCs) by enabling them to recognize speech, engage in dialogue with users, and perform complex functions.
“This technology represents a significant leap forward in interactive virtual environments, where AI-driven avatars can interact seamlessly with users, enhancing immersion and user experience,” says Dr. Johnson. “Additionally, AI improves accessibility with features like real-time translation and adaptive interfaces, driving innovation and transforming the field by opening new possibilities for ideation, interaction, and content creation.”
In digital design, AI, particularly generative AI, is revolutionizing workflows by automating the creation of content, including stock photography, illustrations, video, animations, and audio. By generating high-quality content based on input data or parameters, generative AI significantly reduces the necessity for manual design work while unlocking new creative possibilities. This advancement not only boosts efficiency in digital design processes but also broadens the scope of visual content that designers can produce.
“AI has the potential to significantly increase job opportunities in digital design by creating new roles and transforming existing ones,” says Dr. Johnson. “As AI technologies evolve, there will be a growing demand for professionals who can leverage these tools effectively.”
What are the benefits of earning your bachelor’s in web and digital design from UMGC?
One of the primary advantages of UMGC’s bachelor’s in web and digital design program is that students can earn one or more undergraduate certificates while completing their degree, which include undergraduate certificates in web design, digital design, and augmented/virtual reality. These embedded certificates signify proficiency in specific areas and provide students with tangible credentials that enhance their competitiveness in the job market.
“This dual achievement allows students to pursue career opportunities in their chosen field with validated skills and expertise even before graduating,” says Dr. Johnson.
The program emphasizes hands-on projects across web development, digital graphics, multimedia, and AR/VR design, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for diverse roles in the rapidly evolving field of digital design. Students have the opportunity to create a variety of projects, which can be used to build their portfolios and gain real-world experience.
“Students in the program design professional websites, digital publications, interactive media, motion graphics, image compositions, video games, augmented reality, and virtual reality applications,” says Dr. Johnson. “These projects provide practical skills and showcase their capabilities to prospective employers.”
In response to the advancements of AI, the web and digital design program at UMGC proactively updates its courses to incorporate AI technology, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to excel in this dynamic and evolving field. This preparation ensures that graduates are well-prepared to meet industry demands and drive innovation in their respective roles.
Additionally, UMGC's flexible online format accommodates diverse student needs and schedules, providing accessibility and convenience without compromising educational quality. Students at UMGC gain access to the online library to support their research, no-cost digital materials which have replaced textbooks for most courses, and the opportunity to earn credit for prior learning.
Web and digital design is an exciting and in-demand career field. Discover how a bachelor’s at UMGC can help you prepare for multiple career opportunities in web and digital design.
Reference on this webpage to any third-party entity or product does not constitute or imply endorsement by UMGC nor does it constitute or imply endorsement of UMGC by the third party.
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