Optimal college majors for graphic design and marketing technology?

I'm super interested in both graphic design and marketing technology, and I'd like to find a major that could blend these two interests. Would it be better to major in Graphic Design and then take extra marketing courses, or should I approach it from a different angle?

Both of your interests fall within a consistent field so it is entirely possible for you to meet both of your academic desires. Graphic Design and Marketing are fields that often go hand-in-hand in the business world. The type of degree you should pursue would depend on your career aspirations and which aspects of the field you enjoy most.

If your main interest lies within design and you see marketing as a complementary skill, then a major in Graphic Design with supplementary coursework in marketing would likely be the best fit for you. It's common to find courses or electives related to marketing or advertising within Graphic Design programs—or vice versa, considering the interconnected nature of these fields.

On the other hand, if you're more interested in marketing strategies and want to use graphic design as a tool to implement those strategies more effectively, then a major in Marketing or Business with a concentration/minor in graphic design could work well.

Alternatively, many universities offer interdisciplinary majors or allow students to design their own. You could potentially create a major that combines coursework from both Graphic Design and Marketing if your chosen institution permits that.

Some colleges offer specific programs which may already combine these two fields such as “Digital Marketing,” “Advertising Design,” or "Visual Communications." These types of programs generally balance courses in design, marketing principles, digital media, and even coding, which often prove beneficial in the tech-centric market.

It's important to review the curriculum of the programs you're considering at each school, as the same major may have a different emphasis or course offerings at different institutions. By looking at the specific classes you would be taking, you can see if the program caters to your specific interests in both graphic design and marketing technology.