Where Design Studies Graduates Work
Design Studies graduates have built careers with organizations including:
- The Walt Disney Company and Disney+
- Pixar Studios
- ESPN
- NBCUniversal Media
- Live Nation Entertainment
- Vineyard Vines
- Washington Nationals
- Spectrum
- Kontoor Brands
- Greenhouse Fabrics
- Margaritaville
- Krispy Kreme
Design Studies Salary and Job Outlook
U.S. News & World Report ranks High Point University #1 among Regional Universities in the South for Earnings by Major in Best Colleges 2027, a factor that measures what graduates earn four years after leaving campus.
Across all majors, 99% of High Point University’s Class of 2025 was employed or continuing their education within 180 days of graduation, 13 points above the national average, measured by National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) standards. The Princeton Review ranks HPU #14 for Best Career Services in its 2027 guide.
Across the Classes of 2015 through 2024, 151 of 157 Design Studies graduates who sought employment were placed. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a $62,960 median annual wage for graphic designers and $114,850 for art directors in May 2025.
Salary and employment opportunities vary by occupation, industry, location, experience and other factors.
Job Titles Design Studies Graduates Hold
Career paths represented among HPU Design Studies graduates include:
- Senior Manager and Associate Director, Creative Marketing
- Experience Manager
- Graphic Designer
- Production Designer
- Marketing Assistant
- Graphic Design and Sales
Roles Design Studies Graduates Can Pursue
A Design Studies degree can also prepare students for roles such as brand designer, social media designer, content creator, marketing coordinator, digital designer, art director and creative project manager.
U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2027 edition ranked High Point University #1 Regional Universities in the South for Earnings by Major, a new factor that measures what graduates earn four years after leaving campus.
Design Studies Student Organizations
- Graphic Design Club, for students building design portfolios and leadership experience
- Art Club, open to students of every major and skill level
Design Studies students also work alongside the National Retail Federation Student Association and Fashion Forward.
Portfolio Review and the Market
Students enter the major through a faculty portfolio review and build their work in Mac labs with large-format printers and the Anderson Creative Innovation Lab.
Campus sits a short walk from the High Point Market, the largest home furnishings trade show in the world, where design students see brand and showroom design up close.
What Design Studies Students Say
Elisabeth Crane
Graphic Design and Sales, Greenhouse Fabrics & Anna Elisabeth
“HPU has provided me with amazing professors that went out of their way to support me beyond what I could have expected.”
Ashton Kajcienski
Fan Engagement Intern, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
“High Point University’s graphic design program has given me the tools to excel in this internship, and I would not be where I am today without the knowledge and support I have gained from this program.”
Kenzie Ulrich
Marketing and Graphic Design Intern, Lowes Foods
“Experiential learning, a focus in life skills, and a plethora of resources prepared me to apply for internships, and feel confident that I had the skills necessary to be successful in these positions.”
Design Studies Graduate Outcomes
Michaela Mucha is senior manager and associate director of creative marketing at Disney+, after starting at Walt Disney World as a graphic design professional intern. She credits campus roles as a student concierge, resident assistant and staff graphic designer with building her professional footing.
Ashton Kajcienski became an experience manager at Live Nation Entertainment, and Elisabeth Crane joined Greenhouse Fabrics in graphic design and sales.
Graduate School and Internships
Design Studies graduates have continued to graduate study at Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Cincinnati, Maryland Institute College of Art, Longwood University and HPU’s M.A. in Communication and Business Leadership. All 28 who applied to continue their education from 2015 through 2024 were accepted.
Students have interned at Disney, UPS, Marvel Comics, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Lowes Foods.
Explore Design Studies at High Point University
See the courses behind these careers and how HPU design studies ranks.
Accreditation & Awards Curriculum & Research
Questions about the program? Email Mark Brown, chair of the Department of Art and Graphic Design, at [email protected].