Graphic Design

The Bachelor of Science curriculum in Graphic Design provides a balance of traditional and technical artistic studies enhanced by general education coursework in humanities and social sciences. Students develop a sophisticated approach to creative problem solving and develop skills in typography, image generation, corporate identity, information graphics, three dimensional design, and motion graphics. Students experience a broad range of two and three dimensional projects and remain current on electronic applications and emerging technologies. Students can also elect specialized tracks with dedicated courses in one of the following concentrations:

Advertising Graphic Design
This program leads students to creative careers in advertising art direction, a focused combination of visual and verbal information design to create a message that moves consumers to action. The concentration addresses the changing nature of the ad industry and explores new methods of reaching a target audience. Instruction centers on concept development and art direction for print, television, film and web based advertising with an emphasis on research and target marketing. Coursework will include studies on the history of advertising, studio photography and copywriting in addition to studio classes in visual communications for advertising.

Environmental Graphic Design
The Society of Environmental Graphic Design describes the emerging discipline,
“Environmental Graphic Design embraces many design disciplines including graphic, architectural, interior, landscape and industrial design, all concerned with the visual aspects of wayfinding, communicating identity and information and shaping the idea of place. ” Common examples of work by practitioners include wayfinding systems, architectural graphics, signage, exhibit design, identity graphics, civic design, pictogram design, retail and store design, mapping and themed environments. The concentration addresses advanced skills in wayfinding systems, mapping, exhibit design and pictogram development. Graduates are employed by advertising agencies, design studios, corporate design departments and publishers.

Web & Motion Graphic Design
This concentration focuses on the expert use of typography and image for interactive media communications. Lab courses develop skills in innovative art direction and extended graphic system development for web sites, film titling, and broadcast graphics. Research, concept development, and comprehensive identity design is emphasized. The history and aesthetics of motion graphics is explored along with practical applications and techniques in storyboard development, visual storytelling, narration and presentation skills.

For more information about the major, visit the Graphic Design program online.