Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
How design jobs shape what you see in Birmingham every day—apply now and start creating
Reading time: 4 minutes
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Walk around Birmingham and you’ll see design everywhere, from bold murals in Avondale to sleek restaurant menus in Five Points South. What’s wild is most of us stroll right past these little artistic moments without a second thought as to who created them.
But every one of those visuals has a creator behind it, and that’s why programs that train future designers are so relevant right now.
We stopped by a graphic art program in Bessemer to see how students are turning creativity into career-ready skills—and real paychecks right here in Birmingham.
Inside Lawson State’s Graphic Art Communications program
We were welcomed into the classroom by Roosevelt Williams, III, Graphic Art Communications Instructor at Lawson State Community College. Inside the art-filled space, he broke down just how deeply graphic design shows up in every day life.
“Graphic Art Communications is literally everything you see that promotes, sells or advertises something.”
Roosevelt Williams, III, Graphic Art Communications Instructor, Lawson State Community College
With this in mind, you’ll start seeing design everywhere you turn:
- Billboards along I-65
- Concert, festival + pop-up flyers
- Social media ads from Birmingham nonprofits
- Business cards picked up at downtown networking events
Here’s the cool part: Lawson State Graphic Art Communications students are learning to create the designs you see every day and will soon help shape how our city looks and feels.
A closer look at what students learn
Students gain real-world design experience, from concept to creation at Lawson State Community College. (Ben Johnson / Bham Now)
All Graphic Art Communications courses are offered exclusively on Lawson State’s Bessemer campus. Here, students train in a fully-equipped Mac lab that feels more like a creative studio than a traditional classroom.
“We’re all on Macs, and we use Adobe Creative Suite, which includes Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop and Procreate. Students are working on the same tools used in the industry.”
Roosevelt Williams, III, Graphic Art Communications Instructor, Lawson State Community College
From day one, students create projects like:
- Flyers, brochures + print layouts
- Logos + brand identities
- Photography + visual storytelling
- Social media graphics + digital ads
- Website design basics
“We focus on real-world projects. The goal is for students to graduate with a portfolio that already looks professional.”
Roosevelt Williams, III, Graphic Art Communications Instructor, Lawson State Community College
What makes the program stand out is how hands-on and individualized the experience is from day one. Instead of large, lecture-style classes, students work in small groups where feedback is constant and direct.
Work is regularly reviewed through studio critiques, where students learn how to refine their ideas in real time, while also building a portfolio that reflects what the industry actually expects.
The bigger picture: design careers in Birmingham
The “blue tape project” is a favorite among Graphic Art Communications students, who use only blue tape on a white backdrop to create eye-catching designs. (Ben Johnson / Bham Now)
Careers in Graphic Art Communications stretch across Birmingham’s growing creative and business scene, from branding and marketing to publishing, social media content creation and digital design.
“At the core of it all is a simple idea: Every business needs design, and every design starts with someone who knows how to create it.”
Roosevelt Williams, III, Graphic Art Communications Instructor, Lawson State Community College
Quick facts
- Credentials: Short Certificate, Certificate and Associate in Occupational Technologies (Graphic Art Communications, Media Production.
- Salary: Median starting salary is around $50K.
- Transfer Path: AA/AS degrees include 60–64 transferable credits, allowing junior standing at a 4-year college.
- Career Options: Transfer into fields like Art, Photography, Film & TV, Education, Theater + more.
- Earning Potential: Advanced careers such as Art Directors can reach $100K+.
- Flexible Learning: Whether you’re starting college in your 20s, 30s or beyond, there are options for students at every stage.
- Learn More: Visit Lawson State’s Bessemer campus to explore the program—1100 9th Ave SW, Bessemer, AL 35022
Ready to turn your creativity into a career? Learn more and apply to Lawson State Community College’s Graphic Art Communications program now.
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