Graphic Design

Online Studies 2 years Higher Professional Degree

Practical design education where students learn to work creatively with visual communication. Become a graphic designer and work with strategic design, illustration, photography, web design and animation.

A graphic designer works in an environment where every day is unique and each project is more colorful and exciting than the last. Even without prior knowledge, it is entirely possible to be a good graphic designer during the study. The most important is interest in the subject, a good work ethic and an ambitious nature.

Be an Independent Graphic Designer

At Noroff, you will explore graphic design through several disciplines, including visual communication, idea development, illustration, advertising, photography, web design and animation. The aim of Noroff graphic design education is that you will be a self-motivated and independent designer who can work well interdisciplinary.

I use what I have learned every day. It has truly been valuable. Malin Soløy Thoresen, student

We received great assistance from the teachers. Emilie Andreassen, student

Innovative and Promotional

During the study period, you will be challenged with real, practical and relevant tasks. These assignments will give you a good idea of what life is like out in industry, and which issues you can expect to work with as a graphic designer.

Businesses compete for consumers' attention. The program teaches you to design to promote, inform and create awareness about products and services. Through creative design and strategic messages, the student is taught how to increase competitive advantage in the market.

Graphic design is changing fast with the latest advances in artificial intelligence. Noroff aim to keep up with the ever-changing industry and encourage the use of AI. By using AI, you can automate tedious tasks, enhance images, and generate new ideas faster. This allows you to focus more on conceptual and strategic aspects of graphic design, making them better suited for the industry. AI will not replace graphic designers, but graphic designers who use AI will have an advantage over those who don’t.

Program Structure

In the first year of the 2-year graphic design program students learn a practical guide of the principals, methods and techniques of effective visual communication both on paper and screen. You as a student will receive thorough training in design software and will receive a good understanding of the rules and standards that make up the graphic design industry.

During the second year you delve deeper into the design profession. You begin to research and find out who you are as a designer. You will be able to answers the questions such as: What do I like to work with? Or What style do I like most?

Towards the end of each semester, students will take part in making and presenting their portfolios. Each semester concludes with a comprehensive study project, which is aimed at consumers/customers.

Job Opportunities

As a graphic designer you can work in a design or advertising agency, a print shop, book industry or the film and television industry. Also, you can do design work for musicians, festivals, businesses or you can run your own business as a freelancer and be self-employed.

In larger companies, a graphic designer could work in their marketing department. You could update corporate profiles, design new marketing materials or perform maintenance on existence marketing material keeping it up-to-date.

As you gain experience you could work as an art director having the responsibility for working with major clients on more comprehensive projects. In addition, you can work as an information consultant who specializes in media and information structures.

Further Studies

After two years at Noroff it is possible to study graphic design for a third year - abroad - and receive a bachelor's degree. Our foreign partners for graphic design are: Teesside University in England and Deakin University in Australia. This option also applies to online students.

Digital Marketing, UX design and front-end development are all great options for students who wish to build on their design skills and technical expertise in web design after completing the graphic design program.