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Graphic Design Program

Explore This Section
Graphic Design Student Handbook Graphic Design Computer Specifications
Explore This Section
Graphic Design Student Handbook Graphic Design Computer Specifications
Bringing Life to Businesses and Brands

Graphic designers interpret cultural and technological trends and engage audiences with dynamic, compelling and informative content through visual communication. Design is how we bring life to businesses and brands. Designers tell captivating stories across all forms of media. 

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Degree Offered
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Graphic Design (B.F.A.)

Today's graphic artists are the visual masterminds behind the complex design challenges of the professional world. The major in graphic design prepares students for entry-level design positions.
Graphic Design minor
Graphic Design Minor

The minor provides direction for student’s creative energy while offering them basic skill sets that may be used to achieve collaboration in work force teams. Students will learn how to use design principles, design elements and basic technologies needed to begin collaborating with other designers and produce design works.
Graphic Design Students on Computers
Graphic Design Certificate

The Graphic design certificate teaches students the basics of design principles and technical skills. This certificate prepares students for entry-level career opportunities in the graphic design studios, advertising agencies, interaction design agencies and in-house designer positions from various businesses.
Animation Certificate Student
Animation Certificate

Animation is one of the most powerful and expressive ways to tell your story and communicate ideas and information to your audience. Learn how to come up with ideas, design, experiment and bring your ideas to life through animation.
Areas of Study
  • Design foundations
  • Creative thinking
  • Computer graphics
  • Typography
  • Photography
  • Illustration
  • Motion graphics
  • Publication design
  • Identity systems
  • Interactive design
  • Design research
  • Animation
  • Professional practice

The program aims to develop knowledge base for professional careers. Students prepare a graphic design portfolio for use after graduation seeking positions in business and industry or graduate school, as well as nonprofit organizations.

Graphic design professors strive for progress of an individual student. I was challenged to be a better graphic designer every day.
Rachel Klein, B.F.A., graphic design, 2019

Professional Experience

Graphic design student portfolios are highly competitive and are recognized at national and international design competitions and exhibitions.

³ÉÈËÊÓƵ graphic design grads work at companies around the globe: 

  • IBM
  • Disney
  • Google
  • Target
  • Colle McVoy
  • Daktronics
  • Lawrence and Schiller
  • Fresh Produce

Graphic design students interact with visiting professionals including:

  • The IBM Visual Design team leader
  • Leo Burnett creative directors and art directors
  • Victoria's Secret creative director
  • AIGA Medalist Rick Valicenti from Thirst
  • 50,000FT co-founder Michael Petersen
  • GRAMMY Award-nominated designers
  • Pentagram partner DJ Stout
Computer Specifications

Students with questions should contact School of Design.

Personal Computers
Hardware

Graphic Design is a discipline dependent on up-to-date computer hardware and software which places a very large demand on the equipment. Digital design processes can take many hours to completely render even on the best computers. As students' progress through the program, their resulting work can become more complex and places further strains on aging hardware. As a result, the minimum requirements are based on recommendations of the most computer-intensive software and looking to the future when students will be required to do more complex presentations when their computers are two to three years old.

Computer = Recommended Minimum Hardware Specifications

Recommendations

  • Display = 16" Full HD (1920p) Minimum
  • RAM = 32GB 2666 MHz DDR4 memory
  • Disk Storage = 1TB SSD storage
  • Video Card/Graphics = AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 8GB of GDDR6 memory
  • External Hard Drive = Portable 4TB or above Hard Drive
  • Flash Drive = 128GB or above Flash Drive
Software

To facilitate student competency in top-rated software products demanded by industry professionals, ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ requires students to purchase current versions of software packages from Adobe. It is imperative that students have the required computer hardware and software packages purchased and properly installed PRIOR to their first day of studio in their first year of the program (spring of freshman year).

Software requirements

Students may be asked to purchase additional software, such as Sketch, Webflow and/or InVision in conjunction with additional coursework. Any additional software purchases will be disclosed prior to students’ class registration.

Important Notes
  1. ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ and the School of Design at ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ prohibits the use of pirated software. Students who have pirated software on their computers will not be serviced and can be reported. Students are expected to maintain proof of ownership for all software, and will be expected to maintain a file cataloging of all software license numbers, serial numbers, etc.
  2. Be advised that it takes two to six weeks for laptops with custom specifications to be received after purchase. Students should plan ahead accordingly to ensure their computer has been received, software loaded and full functionality ensured prior to the first day of class in their first year (spring of the freshman year).
  3. Direct sales of specific software packages may be required.
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Opportunities
Travel Studies and Field Trips
Travel studies are an integral part of the graphic design curriculum, which enhances learning and prepares student designers to be globally competitive. Across the university, travel studies have provided ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ alumni, friends and family with exceptional educational travel journeys to more than 50 countries each year. ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through student-centered education. The university provides multicultural experiences and is home to nearly 1,000 international students.