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The graphic design major provides students the opportunity to develop an informed design practice built on a rich understanding of the principles of design, the impact of visual communication, and a variety of strategies for creative problem solving.

Encompassing a broad range of media, the curriculum focuses on powerful visual communication and research-based design solutions. Starting with coursework that establishes a strong understanding of foundational formal principles, typographic sensitivity, compositional strategy, and ensures knowledge of current industry-standard software the major then opens up to offer students the opportunity to study the most prevalent uses of design including print, packaging, branding and identity systems, campaigns, web design, and systematic design projects.

Through the curriculum, students are introduced to rich design processes that include idea generation, creative research, problem definition, concept development, sketching, prototyping, image making, typography, print production, and the production of interactive media. All design students take part in an internship and work directly with clients during their course of study. Design majors graduate the program with experience and knowledge that prepares them to join design studios, lead in-house design teams, or launch their own independent design practice.

Faculty

The versatile faculty is made up of artists and designers who actively produce and exhibit their creative work − artists who are leaders in their various fields of discipline. They love to teach because they love what they teach. Our faculty is equipped to motivate, inspire and nurture; they become true mentors to their students. The faculty of the Department of Art and Design believe it is necessary for students to become leaders rather than followers, to become the next generation of gifted creative artists and designers and to become art professionals in the ever-growing number of contemporary art and art-related careers.

More information about the graphic design major can be found on the art major admissions page.

Graduates with a BA in graphic design will:

• Demonstrate the ability to write and speak about art, design, and art history with clarity and logic, and be able to form and support critical judgements about art, design and art history
• Demonstrate the technical mastery of the relevant materials and tools, and the terminology, theories, and practices relevant to the student's field of study
• Demonstrate the ability generate, support, and utilize individual thoughts and ideas
• Demonstrate the ability to do research in art, design, and art history, and the competence and knowledge to analyze and think critically
• Demonstrate expanding knowledge of historical achievements and contemporary thinking, trends, processes, and issues in art and design, and apply that knowledge to their personal work
• Demonstrate broader and deeper understanding of contemporary arts practice, grasp of how to develop and maintain studio or design practice, and ideas communicating successful cultivation of both audience, concept and goals in visual art and design