Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
The Graphic Design major prepares students for a wide range of professional options. Branding, advertising, publication, web, digital and broadcast design, exhibition, and type design are possible career paths. The major offers both theory and studio courses that will enable design students to integrate a good command of visual language with conceptual work, theory, and technology.
Classes are mostly critique based, encouraging debate, discussion, and lateral thinking, utilizing formal and practical knowledge. Most course work is conducted in studios. Classes are taught by a group of accomplished faculty supported by visiting faculty, guest lecturers, field trips, camps, and workshops. Students create work that is uniquely theirs, helping them build a portfolio from which they can build their careers.
Declaration of the Graphic Design Major
To be eligible to declare a Graphic Design major, students must have completed two courses in the program: DSGN 200/2200 - Design Foundations (3 cr.) , DSGN 213/2113 - Introduction to Visual Cultures (3 cr.) . After completing these two courses, students are requested to sit for a portfolio interview where a committee evaluates their work.
Based on space availability, a limited number of students who have completed their courses and who present a promising portfolio as determined by the department will be accepted into the major.
Students who did not pass the interview can sit for another interview after they take DSGN 201/2201 - Design Principles & Practices (3 cr.) and DSGN 215/2115 - History of Graphic Design (3 cr.) . The second interview is the final one.
If a student is rejected after the second interview, they cannot declare graphic design as a major, but they can register for any DSGN minors. Please note that the four DSGN course’s required GPA to declare the major or the minor should be 3.0.
Major Requirements
A total of 120 credits are required for a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design.