Graphic Design and Digital Media in Georgia
Georgia's Graphic Design and Digital Media pathway prepares students for careers in visual communication, digital design, and multimedia production. With Atlanta's growing creative industry, film production sector, and corporate marketing departments throughout the state, skilled graphic designers find diverse career opportunities.
The program provides comprehensive training in design principles, digital imaging, web design, and multimedia development. Students work with industry-standard software including Adobe Creative Suite, developing professional portfolios showcasing their design capabilities. The curriculum integrates creative thinking with technical proficiency and client communication skills.
Georgia's graphic design pathway connects creative expression with practical business applications. Many programs partner with local businesses and nonprofits to provide students authentic design projects that build both skills and professional networks.
Graphic Design and Digital Media at a Glance
3
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Georgia's Graphic Design pathway standards emphasize both artistic creativity and technical proficiency with digital tools. The curriculum addresses design theory, color theory, typography, and layout along with software applications and digital workflows.
Programs must provide access to current design software and hardware sufficient for professional-quality student work. Georgia emphasizes development of design thinking skills and ability to meet client specifications.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Introduction to Graphic and Web Design |
| Graphic Design and Production I |
| Graphic Design and Production II |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓Unity Certified User - Programmer
- ✓Unity Certified User - Artist
- ✓Unity Certified User - VR Developer
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Photoshop
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Illustrator
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - InDesign
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Premiere Pro
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - After Effects
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Graphic Designer
Entry LevelSalary range: $45,240 - $78,640
Web Designer
ExperiencedSalary range: $58,490 - $106,470
Multimedia Designer
Entry LevelSalary range: $44,190 - $99,120
Creative Director
ExperiencedSalary range: $84,710 - $156,810
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students complete design projects for local businesses, nonprofits, and school organizations. Internships with marketing agencies, design studios, and corporate marketing departments provide professional experience in Georgia's creative sector.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Georgia CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Georgia Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Georgia's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Georgia standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in Georgia
Film and Digital Media Production
Georgia's Film and Digital Media Production pathway capitalizes on the state's position as a premier filming location and production center. With extensive film and television production in Atlanta and throughout the state, Georgia has become known as the 'Hollywood of the South,' providing exceptional career opportunities for production professionals. The program provides comprehensive training in cinematography, video editing, sound design, lighting, directing, and production management. Students work with professional-grade equipment to produce original content including films, documentaries, commercials, and broadcast productions. Georgia's thriving film industry provides unique access to professional productions and industry mentors. The pathway emphasizes both creative storytelling and technical production skills. Students develop portfolios demonstrating capabilities across multiple production roles. Georgia's film tax credits have attracted major studios and productions, creating a robust ecosystem for student internships and career pathways.
Arts, A/V Technology & CommunicationsMarketing and Sales
Georgia's Marketing and Sales pathway prepares students for careers in marketing, sales, advertising, and retail management. The program develops skills in market research, promotional strategies, customer relations, and business operations that transfer across all industries. Students learn marketing fundamentals including the marketing mix, consumer behavior, branding, and digital marketing strategies. The curriculum emphasizes both traditional marketing approaches and emerging digital and social media marketing techniques. Hands-on projects allow students to develop marketing campaigns for real businesses and products. Georgia's marketing pathway connects classroom learning with authentic business applications through school stores, DECA competitive events, and partnerships with local businesses. Students develop professional skills in communication, persuasion, and relationship-building.
MarketingRelated Glossary Terms
Work-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) encompasses a range of educational strategies that connect classroom instruction with real workplace experiences. Activities include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, clinical rotations, and cooperative education, all designed to help CTE students apply technical skills in authentic industry settings.
ProgrammaticProgram of Study
A Program of Study (POS) is a coordinated, non-duplicative sequence of academic and CTE courses that spans secondary through postsecondary education. Required under Perkins V, a POS integrates academic content with CTE instruction, includes work-based learning, and leads to an industry-recognized credential or postsecondary degree.
ProgrammaticIndustry Certifications in CTE
Industry certifications in CTE are credentials issued by industry organizations or third-party bodies that validate a student's mastery of specific technical skills and knowledge. Examples include CompTIA A+, AWS Certified Welder, and ServSafe, which demonstrate career readiness to employers in ways that transcend state and district boundaries.
AssessmentEmployability Skills
Employability skills, also called soft skills, workplace readiness skills, or 21st-century skills, are the non-technical competencies that employers consistently identify as essential for workplace success. These include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, professionalism, and adaptability, which CTE programs are expected to develop alongside technical skills.
WorkforceReady to Build Graphic Design and Digital Media Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Graphic Design and Digital Media in Georgia.