Graphic Design Concentration

Graphic design is a powerful form of communication. Designed images, objects, environments and experiences shape our culture. Designers combine images and words to tell stories that connect with people on an emotional level.

As a discipline and a profession, graphic design is diverse and expanding. It encompasses: branding, package design, interaction design, environmental graphic design, publication design, and motion design. Students in the graphic design concentration study a variety of subjects relevant to the field, including: typography, identity design, user experience design, user interface design, animation, illustration, book arts, and design history. Our curriculum emphasizes a human-centered approach; students research, analyze, prototype, and design creative concepts and solutions for businesses, social, and cultural contexts.

All graphic design students are required to create a senior portfolio project tailored to their interests and career goals. Each spring, seniors have their portfolios reviewed by design professionals—many of whom graduated from our program—to help them prepare for successful entry into the creative field. Graduates in the graphic design area obtain competitive positions in design studios, creative agencies, in-house creative departments, and in the entertainment and tech industries. We have a wonderful network of design alumni who provide mentorship to our students and ongoing support for our program.

The Graphic Design concentration in the Department of Art and Design is distinct from the Design Reproduction Technology concentration in the Graphic Communication Department, which focuses on the technical and electronic aspects of preparing design pieces for reproduction in print media. In contrast, the emphasis of the Graphic Design concentration is on the preparation of a professional portfolio the showcases one's creative and conceptual design abilities.