Graphic Design, Digital Art and Design Concentration, B.A.

B.A., Graphic Design

Graphic design is the study of visual and graphic literacy and the art of visual communication through words, symbols, pictures, and graphic elements. The BA in Graphic Design examines communication using multiple media including print, digital design, internet, information design, signage, and exhibition design. The curriculum explores the graphic designer’s ability to bring clarity and visual aesthetics to communication through an understanding of theory, design practice, and technology.

The introductory courses in the graphic design program concentrate on basic design vocabulary, composition, color perception, drawing, introduction to the use of computers as a design tool, and photography. The curriculum continues and progresses through advanced conceptual ideas and practical techniques associated with typographic studies, illustration, critical analysis, problem-solving methodology, advanced computer projects, and complex applied design projects. The BA in Graphic Design prepares students for the professional environment of graphic design found in design studios, corporations, and agencies. Additionally, the rigorous course of study provides students with the foundation to continue with graduate studies in the field.

Concentration in Digital Art and Design

This concentration is most appropriate for students interested in careers in the rapidly growing fields of digital design, animation, and website development. In conjunction with a student’s studies in Graphic Design, the Digital Art and Design concentration will pair the skills learned in the Graphic Design curriculum with Digital Art and Design studies in web design, computer modeling and animation, and digital and information design. Active markets for Digital Art and Design include: the Internet, where careers in web page creation and website management have grown exponentially in recent years; business, where computer presentations have taken the place of slide shows; education, where teachers are finding new ways to present their material; and the entertainment industry, with the ever-growing use of computers for special effects in games, music videos, and films.