Graphic designers develop visual concepts by hand or with computer software. Intended to captivate, inform, inspire, and/or persuade, a designer’s end product is often used in a marketing or promotional campaign, or a public announcement. Graphic designers work creatively, both in print and electronically. Above all, they are visual storytellers with the goal of engagement at a glance.

All courses in graphic design stress the building of esthetic knowledge, perceptual awareness and creative problem solving, as well as developing a process approach that addresses practical and pragmatic requirements. This contextual awareness is the foundation for all truly creative endeavors and is the philosophy that guides the program as a whole.

Main goals of a Graphic Design BFA degree program are:

1. Provide students with an education in aesthetic awareness
2. Develop technical skills required by the profession
3. Form a strong foundation in the basic principles of design
4. Understand the influences of modern production techniques
5. Enhance personal creative vision
6. Provide client-driven solutions through effective visual communication
7. Learn to apply the lessons learned from history to the practice of
   contemporary design

Learning Objectives

Throughout the program and in our classes, we will strive to advance you in the following learning objectives:

1. Artistic and Design Process
   Solve communication problems, including the skills of problem identification, research and information gathering, analysis, generation of alternative solutions, prototyping and user testing, and evaluation of outcomes.
2. Respond to Contexts and Audiences
   Describe and respond to the audiences and contexts, which communication solutions must address, including recognition of the physical, cognitive, cultural, and social human factors that shape design decisions.
3. Solve Communication Problems
   Create and develop visual form in response to communication problems, including an understanding of principles of visual organization/ composition, information hierarchy, color theory and its applications, symbolic representation, typography, drawing, aesthetics, and the construction of meaningful messages in two and three dimensions.
4. Employ Art and Design Related Technologies
   Independently select and use appropriate art and design-related tools and technology to create, reproduce, and distribute coherent and meaningful visual messages. Relevant tools and technologies include, but are not limited to, drawing, illustration, photography, offset printing, time-based and interactive media (film, video, computer multimedia).
5. Professional Practices
   Independently, interactively as well as collaboratively engage in art/design professional practices to effectively organize and manage art/design projects  in studio, entrepreneurial and corporate setting.
6. Value Judgements
   Form and defend value judgements about art and design including communicating key concepts, visual approaches and requirements to professionals and laypersons related to projects and practice.
7. Apply History and Theory
   Apply history, current issues, processes, and directions in the art and graphic design field to projects.
8. Doing (Good) Art and Design
   Apply ethical reasoning to create sustainable, and socially and environmentally responsible art and design solutions.

Graphic design is a means of visual communication. The creation and management of images, as well as the presentation of letters and words is equally important. Students explore classic, as well as, experimental approaches to both image manipulation and typography for appropriateness and overall impact of message delivery. Classes explore a variety of practical and theoretical assignments using both two and three-dimensional, traditional and new media. They each have a specific technical, as well as, creative/expressive aspect to them.

Every form of successful communication requires an understanding of intended audience, and basic marketing principles. Observation and perception, problem solving, expression, hand and computer skills all play a part in a student’s development.

Innovation has had many a profound influence on the world of communication.  Since the time when news and information was exchanged by way of carrier pigeon, once state-of-the-art technologies, have repeatedly given way to new and (mostly) more efficient means of doing so. Macintosh personal computers and smart devices of all platforms are the industry standard of today and are utilized by students enrolled in both the graphics and art programs.

Projects, quizzes and tests are geared to measure progress, technical knowledge, and conceptual development. Class critique of student work is a regular part of each assignment. Students learn to articulate their thoughts and perceptions as a valuable part of the evaluative process.

Professionalism requires expertise with the tools of design and also an awareness of broader social connections. Class projects such as “Do Good Design for Good” and internships such as “Singing Hands” help prepare the student in this direction, applying design thinking for the greater good.

Best business practices include internship, practicum and independent study experiences are essential components of a well-rounded course of study. Internships are typically completed during the summer months following the sophomore and junior years. These may occur anywhere across the country at a variety of businesses working with graphic design. Competitive on-campus practicums, additionally provide a valuable link between the classroom/studio and the practice of “real world” design.

A broad-based program is intended to provide students with several options in the field of design and insures a strong foundational and inter disciplinary education leading to the development of a professional level portfolio. Students graduate adequately prepared for entry-level positions in the field of graphic design or further education within a graduate degree program. 

A portfolio of work may be required for acceptance into a BFA program. This review of is a component of the ongoing evaluation of student progress and is a valuable aid in academic advising.