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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.”

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.