Major in Graphic Design

Graphic design is how ideas take form in the world. Beyond visuals, it shapes systems, experiences, and meaning across platforms and audiences.

Design Starts with Ideas

Our Graphic Design program prepares students to think critically, define problems, and lead creative work in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world. Students learn to approach design as a strategic practice—connecting concept, audience, and purpose—so visual decisions are intentional and meaningful rather than purely aesthetic.

Design with Purpose

Grounded in strong visual foundations and history, students work across branding, print, web, UX/UI, and interactive design. Emerging tools, including AI-assisted technologies, are integrated into the creative process to support research, ideation, and iteration, while reinforcing the importance of human judgment, taste, and authorship.

Design for a Professional Career

Through hands-on studio courses, critique, and professional practice, students build a strong portfolio featuring in-depth project case studies. Opportunities for design internships allow students to gain real-world experience and industry insight. Graduates leave prepared for careers in branding, digital and print design, UX/UI, advertising, marketing, and creative strategy—or for continued study in design-related fields.

Students may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design, depending on their academic and creative goals.

Career Outcomes

Graphic Design graduates pursue careers in branding, visual communication, UX/UI, marketing, and digital media, as well as freelance and graduate study.

Recent alumni work as graphic designers, brand designers, content strategists, and marketing specialists at organizations including NASCAR, Disney Parks, the Chicago Bulls, public libraries, design studios, and marketing agencies, or operate successful freelance practices.

View alumni Careers & Outcomes

View Graphic Design Student Work HERE

Core Curriculum

• ART 113 Introduction to Art Software
• ART 115 Drawing Studio
• ART 120 Painting Studio
• ART 125 Design Studio
• ART 341 Survey History of Western Art
• ART 342 Survey History of Modern Art
• ART 443 Issues in Contemporary Art: Theory and Practice Beyond the Modern
• ART 490 Capstone Course/BFA Capstone Course (requires a mandatory pre-capstone meeting)
• ART 491 Capstone Exhibition/BFA Capstone Exhibition

Select one course from the following in Non-European art history:

• ART 353 Survey of Latin American Art
• ART 373 Survey of Non-European Art
• ART 375 American Indian and Ancient American Art
• ART 376 Art of India

Major Requirements

• Core Curriculum
• ART 216 Introduction to Graphic Design
• ART 226 Typography Studio
• ART 316 Graphic Design I
• ART 326 Graphic Design II
• ART 416 Advanced Graphic Design
• ART 426 Advanced Topics in Graphic Design

Take Your Degree to The Next Level

Students who wish to pursue a BFA in graphic design must achieve acceptance into the BFA program and fulfill all of the above criteria, plus take ART 235 and four additional courses at the 300/400-level. These additional upper-level studios may be selected from the list of graphic design electives, or from another area of concentration within the department.

Suggested Course Sequence

Students pursuing the B.F.A. in graphic design will also need to incorporate the required extra courses into the following proposed plan of study.