Though most artists already know which creative outlet is their preferred form of expression, it may take a little more reflection to choose an academic and/or professional path that incorporates that artistry. Writers alone may choose to go into fiction writing or poetry, journalism, essay writing or freelancing. An artist who loves to draw or sketch may want to illustrate books, create comic strips or learn about Web design. Choosing early on the right kind of art or design that matches your creative side and your professional goals will help you stay organized and focused while you’re in school or trying to break into the industry.

Once you have made the decision to make a living from your artistic skills or services, you will probably want to determine whether or not you’d like to be a total creative artist, like a fashion designer or actor, or if you’d prefer to work in an industry that combines creativity with more practical skills, like Web design or interior design. In order to make this decision, you’ll need to evaluate the kind of lifestyle you want to have in the future, what your priorities are in terms of expressing your art, and the job outlook for artists in your field. For instance, creative talent who are employed by design firms, magazines, or other businesses, still often have benefits like health insurance, a regular salary, the opportunity for upward mobility, access to exclusive clients and resources, and a sense of security. Freelance artists and artists working to make a living by selling their own work benefit from flexible scheduling, more artistic freedom, and the ability to pick and choose their projects. Even very successful artists, however, struggle with income and payment structure, managing a stable workload and running their own business. While freelancers and those who create art for themselves often enjoy unlimited creative expression and flexibility, they are also tied down managing finances, legal issues, marketing and public relations, and more. A professional working in-house, on the other hand, relies on the company to organize those issues.

Choosing the right kind of art school or academic program will depend on which kind of artist or design professional you want to be. Even though art school and a degree aren’t required for artists looking to break out on their own, art departments can afford students many benefits, like helping them build up a portfolio, introducing them to community artists and contacts, and giving them a free space to show their work. If you are certain that you want to develop your artistic skills and nothing else, an art institute that builds up your portfolio and doesn’t require you to take other types of classes may be the way to go. If, however, you’d like to balance your art classes with courses in business, computer science, engineering, or the liberal arts, you’ll want to explore universities that offer strong art degrees as well as other programs. Many larger universities also offer Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees for those only interested in developing their creative talents.

Top Online Programs

A.A. in Information Technology B.S. in Web Development B.S. in Communications	University of Phoenix – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – The University of Phoenix prepares students for the rapidly evolving multi-million dollar industry of World Wide Web designing and interactive media. The programs offered at the institute teaches students everything from developing their skills in drawing and design to learning programming and scripting techniques.
B.S. in Web Development B.S. in Communication A.A.S. in Information Technology	Kaplan University – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree - Kaplan University offers a web design degree that could be completed in as few as 12 months. This allows students to earn their degree at an accelerated pace and be on their way to advancing in their career in web design.
B.F.A. in Web Design A.A.B.A. in Visual Communications B.F.A. in Digital Design	American InterContinental University – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – For those interested in the exciting career of web design, American InterContinental Universitye will help them prepare with their staff of knowledgeable and skilled professionals who have had prior experience working in the web design industry. The program is a great choice for those seeking to pursue a career in web design, web development, graphic design, graphic art, or web publications designer.
A.S. in Web Design B.F.A. in Graphic Design B.A. in Fashion Merchandising	International Academy of Design & Technology – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree - Since 1977, the International Academy of Design and Technology Online has helped thousands of students prepare for a career in which their creativity and talents are respected and valued. Their affordable courses allow individuals with a passion for web design to advance in their career.
B.S. in Web Design & Multimedia B.S. in Visual Communications A.S. in Graphic Design & Multimedia	Westwood College – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – Westwood College's programs consists of courses in design theory, web design, imaging and advanced web technology to help students build valuable portfolios for potential employers. They offer their programs completely online, allowing flexibility for working individuals or individuals with other time contraints.
A.S. in Web Graphic Design B.C.I.S. in Web Development B.C.I.S. in Web Game Programming	DeVry University – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree – DeVry University has helped thousands of students apply practical skills to produce high-quality graphics and develop many types of graphic media. They are ideal for many students because of their affordable and convenient programs available online.
B.A. in Visual Communications B.A. in Art History	Ashford University – Bachelor's Degree - Dedicated to helping intellectual, professional, and creative individuals, Ashford University offers one of the best web design degrees online. Their web design courses are very convenient and achieveablefor students who have restricting schedules.
B.S. in Web Design A.S. in Web Design Diploma in Web Design	The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Associate's & Bachelor's Degree - The Art Institute of Pittsburgh provides students with the opportunity to learn the latest software and programming applications to compete in the highly competitive, yet rewarding, web design industry. They place special emphasis on the practical application of web development skills and how to effectively use them for organizations.