Those desiring to enter design management programs often want to straddle multiple worlds. Design itself requires both creative talent and technical skills. Many people become designers after years of studying art and refining those skills with education. However, a growing number want to take it further. Design management brings together the talent and skills of design with the savvy of an educated businessperson. This allows talented individuals to bring their marketable products into view of potential clients. Learning how to design is one thing, but learning how to design and market is another. It is the sign of someone with a plan.

Students in design management programs take both design and business classes. The curriculum gives them the chance to bring their talents to the professional level while learning how to take their final products to market. On the design side, student take classes such as computer technical drawing, 3-D conceptualization, advanced illustration, and user interface design. On the business side, students take classes like visual merchandising and technical package production. This combination of classes offers students the opportunity to become marketing managers, trend forecasters, and import/export specialist after they graduate. Many work as design assistants with the hope of becoming a designer in the future.

While part of design management programs, students develop their design portfolio just as other design students do. That means they take their finest work examples and make them part of the final showcase that highlights their work for potential employers. In addition, they also learn how to create a merchandising portfolio. This allows them to find the best way to display their work in a way that will attract potential customers. This combination will provide them with the toolkit that potential employers want to see in new graduates.  

Going through design management programs gives students a good professional start. Some people want to be pure designers. However, more and more realize that they need to understand both design and the business behind design. That knowledge allows them to refine their talents as they go through school and enter the work place. They become more marketable as their ideas become more marketable. Getting a degree in this area shows potential employers that you want to take your creative talents and make a career out of them. Pure art is wonderful. However, marketable skills are even more valuable when it comes to making a successful living.