Graphic design is a creative field that spans everything from advertising to corporate branding to web design. If you’re interested in building your own portfolio and getting paid for doing what you love, then graphic design is the degree for you.
It’s no secret that graphic designers are some of the hardest working people in the world. They have to be able to take complex ideas, reduce them into simple visuals, and make those visuals beautiful enough that someone will want to look at them again and again. That takes a lot of creativity and imagination—and a solid educational foundation!
Our graphic design bachelor degree program will give you just what you need. We’ll teach you everything from typographic fundamentals to logo design, so that by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running as a graphic designer or advertising specialist.
Graphic Design Bachelor Degree
Introduction
If you love art, but you’d rather apply your creativity to making posters, websites, apps and other visual media than paintings or sculpture—you might be an ideal candidate for a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. Even if you have a passion for that type of work but don’t think that’s the right choice for you because you’re not an artist, chances are good that graphic design is still for you. That’s because there are many different types of graphic design professionals out there. One type might be the artist who creates original images and turns them into stunning designs. Another type might be somebody who uses programs like Photoshop to create composite images from stock photos and other assets. Graphic design can even include creating layouts and designs based on existing assets and text; if that sounds like more your style (or if it sounds more appropriate given your career goals), then this could be a great degree option for you!
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design program offers a competitive curriculum that emphasizes the practical, conceptual and technical skills needed to succeed in graphic design.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design program offers a competitive curriculum that emphasizes the practical, conceptual and technical skills needed to succeed in graphic design. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the fundamental principles of graphic design while providing an opportunity for them to develop their own personal style.
Students learn how to apply these skills as they critique and evaluate their own work as well as the work of others. Upon completion of this degree, graduates will be prepared for careers in a variety of areas including print media; advertising; publications; web design; packaging; illustration; photography or other related fields.
Program Requirements
- Program Requirements
- A minimum of 60 credits is required for this degree. Students can take courses online or on campus, depending on their schedule and location.
- How to Apply
- Students can apply to the program through the website or by emailing admissions@graphicdesigncollege.com with questions about the application process.
Year 1 Fall Semester Credit Hours
GRA 197 Introduction to Graphic Design 3.0
ART 096 Basic Studio Art 3.0
ENG 101 English Composition I 3.0
HIS 101 American History or HIS 102 World Civilization I 3.0
GRA 197 Introduction to Graphic Design 3.0
Aims:
- Identify and learn basic design principles.
- Explore a variety of software applications.
- Introduce the history of graphic design as it pertains to current practice.
Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Develop workflows for projects in a variety of mediums including digital media, illustration and photography.
- Employ a range of software applications for creating original graphics for print or web-based environments.
- Understand how historical developments have shaped our visual culture by identifying relevant trends in art history that influence contemporary design practices today
ART 096 Basic Studio Art 3.0
In this course, you’ll learn how to use a variety of media and techniques in order to develop your artistic abilities. You’ll explore the history of art by studying different types of art throughout time, as well as prominent movements and styles. You will also focus on different materials like paint brushes and pencils so that you can create your own works of art in order to explore new ideas.
ENG 101 English Composition I 3.0
English 101 is the first course in a sequence of English composition courses that are required for the graphic design major. It is also a general education requirement for all BFA students, and it is a prerequisite for ENG 102, ENG 105, and ENG 106.
The course emphasizes basic skills in both written and oral communication; activities include analyzing primary sources such as literature and film; learning to write creatively as well as critically; reading closely from multiple perspectives; composing clear arguments supported by evidence; discussing issues of style, form, audience needs/preferences/expectations (including those set by different contexts or media formats), genre conventions, etc.; using new technologies (such as spell-checkers) respectfully but appropriately
HIS 101 American History or HIS 102 World Civilization I 3.0
If you want to create graphic designs for a company that sells clothing for women, it’s a good idea to study history. The more you know about people from different cultures and backgrounds, the more interesting your designs will be.
If you design websites for a greeting card company that specializes in delivering birthday cards and flowers, knowing general world history will still help you create an effective website because it will allow you to understand how languages evolved over time and why certain words have meanings that are different from what they mean today (for example, “birthday” once meant “day of birth”).
MAT 090 Intermediate Algebra or Higher 3.0
If you have not yet taken MAT 090, then you will need to take this course before starting this program. If you do not possess the necessary skills and knowledge, then it may be worth taking a review course of Intermediate Algebra at your local community college or through an online provider like Khan Academy (free) or Udemy ($10-$50).
After completing this course and receiving your grade, please submit proof of completion with your application.
Semester Total 15.0
As a graphic design student, you should be able to:
- Understand the basics of graphic design. The first three semesters are spent developing an understanding of the history and principles of design. You will learn about anatomy, composition, color theory, typography and more. You’ll also be introduced to a variety of media that can be used in your future projects (including web design).
- Master industry-standard software programs. In addition to taking your core courses on campus, you will participate in online classes where you can get hands-on experience with Adobe Illustrator CS6 and Photoshop CS6 for Windows or Mac OS X computers (or equivalent versions). These classes include technical support from instructors who are experts in each software program; they provide assistance as needed throughout the semester so that you can focus on learning how to use each tool effectively without getting bogged down by technical issues like file compatibility problems between different programs’ formats (e.g., raster images vs vector graphics).
Year 1 Spring Semester Credit Hours
In the spring semester, you’ll take a variety of courses. Your first class will be GRA 198 Portfolio Development II (3 credits), which will help you develop and refine your design portfolio.
ENG 105 Writing and Research for Creative Writers (3 credits) is a continuation of ENG 104 from fall semester, where you’ll build on your skills with creative writing, research methods and writing processes in order to prepare for an internship or job search after graduation. If this course isn’t offered at your school, choose another communication course that meets the same requirements: COM 103 Introduction to Communication or COM 200 Public Speaking (both 3 credits).
You’ll also need to pick up ART 199 Foundations of Drawing I (3 credits). This class will teach principles such as composition, line drawing techniques and perspective drawing through observation exercises in order to improve drawing skills and build confidence in artistic workflows.
GRA 198 Portfolio Development II 3.0
You’ve got your portfolio, now what?
In this course, you will learn how to present your portfolio in a professional manner. You will also be given the opportunity to develop a digital portfolio using Adobe Portfolio software. Students will be assessed on their ability to communicate information through visual design and presentation techniques by creating an online profile in a digital format. This course also prepares students for entry into the workforce by providing training for careers in graphic design or related fields such as advertising and marketing communications.
ENG 105 Writing and Research for Creative Writers 3.0
Writing and research are essential for writers, especially those in the creative field. Without them, a graphic designer would not be able to produce quality work or communicate effectively with clients. A bachelor’s degree program in graphic design requires students to take a class in writing and research early on so that they can develop these skills before their careers begin.
This course will introduce you to the basic elements of creative writing and provide you with an opportunity for practice: reading and analyzing published works; developing original ideas through brainstorming; organizing your ideas into a rough draft; revising your work based on feedback from others; using multiple genres (including poetry) as well as traditional narrative forms such as short story or essay storytelling modes (narrative). You will also read about some famous authors who use these genres effectively in their works before attempting this assignment yourself.
COM 103 Introduction to Communication or COM 200 Public Speaking 3.0
- COM 103 Introduction to Communication or COM 200 Public Speaking 3.0
- COM 103 is a 3-credit course, while COM 200 is 5 credits.
- While both courses teach students how to communicate effectively, they take different approaches to this fundamental skill set.
COM 103 is a more introductory course that covers the basics of communication in a non-academic setting (think “business casual”). The primary goal of this class is to teach you the ins and outs of interpersonal communication: how to give speeches with confidence; how to listen; when and why it’s important for you as an individual or as part of a group; etc. You’ll learn how people interact with each other on all levels—from small talk at parties all the way up through professional presentations across industries—and how these interactions determine your success in almost any situation you’ll find yourself in after graduation. The emphasis here will be on developing your ability as a speaker rather than training yourself as an audience member.
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ART 199 Foundations of Drawing I 3.0
Drawing is an essential part of graphic design. All designers must be able to draw, even if it’s just for sketching out ideas on paper or in a program like [Adobe Illustrator](https://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html). Drawing skills can be learned and are used in many different careers and applications, such as architecture, landscape architecture, interior design and illustration; this makes drawing a skill that you can use throughout your life no matter what career you pursue.
Drawing also has many benefits outside the realm of graphic design; it allows you to express yourself through art and understand the world around you better through observation and interpretation.
PHY 097 Mathematical Explorations in Computer Programming I OR PHY 100 Astronomy OR PHY 110 Physics for Non-Science Majors OR MAT 111 College Algebra or Higher 4.0-5.00
- PHY 097 Mathematical Explorations in Computer Programming I
- PHY 100 Astronomy
- PHY 110 Physics for Non-Science Majors OR MAT 111 College Algebra or Higher. You will need to take one of these classes, but can choose to take MAT 111 instead of PHY 110 if you prefer.
Semester Total 16.0-17.00
This graphic design bachelor degree is a great choice for individuals looking to break into the field of graphic design. The coursework covers all aspects of the discipline, from typography and logo design to color theory and brand development. Students also learn how to use Adobe software like Photoshop and Illustrator in order to create their own designs.
This is a great degree choice if you’re interested in graphic design!
This is a great degree choice if you’re interested in graphic design!
It’s also the best degree choice if you’re interested in graphic design.
Conclusion
Now that you know what’s involved in pursuing a degree in graphic design, it’s time to take the next step! Visit the admissions page on our website to learn more about enrolling.
