Beginners Guide to majoring in Graphic Design

It all begins with an idea.

Maybe you want to launch a business someday. Maybe you’ve always loved drawing, photography, or tweaking visuals on your phone just to make them feel right. Maybe you have a creative itch you’ve never quite been able to scratch—and you’re finally ready to explore what that could turn into.

Whatever it is, choosing to major in graphic design is a bold, creative move—and it’s a journey that starts with knowing your why.

Graphic design is everywhere. It’s the logo on your favorite coffee cup, the app interface that makes your life easier, the poster you stopped to look at on the street, and yes—even that irresistible packaging that made you buy a chocolate bar you didn’t need.

As a major, graphic design gives you the tools to become a visual storyteller. It’s how you turn a blank screen into something that communicates, connects, and resonates. But it’s not just about looking good—it’s about making ideas work.

Here’s a secret: you don’t have to know everything right away. You’re not expected to show up with a portfolio full of polished work or a fully-formed personal brand. What you do need is curiosity and a willingness to experiment.

Most graphic design programs will walk you through the essentials—typography, color theory, layout design, software skills (think Adobe Creative Suite), and creative problem-solving. You’ll explore visual communication, branding, digital and print design, and maybe even motion graphics or UI/UX, depending on your school.

But your biggest asset? Your voice.

Don’t worry about sounding professional right away. Sound like you. If your project doesn't feel authentic, if you read your design statement and don’t hear your own voice in your head, you’ve still got work to do. And that’s okay. That’s the whole point.

There are over 1.5 billion websites and countless visual projects out there. What separates you from the noise isn’t just skill—it’s your perspective. Your story. Your why. That’s what design schools—and the design world—are hungry for.

Choosing to major in graphic design is saying yes to a creative life. One where your ideas have the power to connect with others, make change, and even turn into a career.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start.