Apply to a college, university or design school that offers a bachelor's degree in graphic design. The BLS says a bachelor's in graphic design usually is the minimum requirement for entry-level graphic design jobs. You will take classes such as "studio art, principles of design, computerized design, commercial graphics production, printing techniques, and Web site design," the BLS reports.
Apply to a professional design school and earn an associate's degree or a certificate in graphic design if a four-year college or design school is not an option for you. Be warned, however, that an associate's degree or a certificate will allow you to work only as an assistant to a graphic designer or "for positions requiring technical skills only," according to the BLS.
Complete a two-year or three-year design program from a professional design school, if you already have a bachelor's degree in a different field.
Take a few business courses; many graphic designers are self-employed. The BLS says, "People in this field need self-discipline to start projects on their own, to budget their time, and to meet deadlines and production schedules. Good business sense and sales ability also are important, especially for those who freelance or run their own firms."
Apply to a design firm. Many graphic designers need between one and three years of work-related experience to advance in a design firm, reports the BLS.