overview

Students in the graphic design emphasis gain the ability to succeed in and contribute to the graphic design profession. To succeed, students must master visual communication, become proficient in the techniques of graphic design and have the desire to learn and reflect in a self-directed manner.

The graphic design curriculum is implemented as a vertical progression. Beginning students first embark upon a theory-based foundation. This foundation builds on basic design principles and helps students translate their art foundation into a graphic design vocabulary of type and image. Both visual and verbal vocabularies are expanded. Students engage in the study of history and contemporary graphic design works and in faculty and peer critique, gradually moving towards the goal of more precise self-criticism.

Although students continue to refine their formal understanding, advanced students are focused on conceptual problem solving. Projects have been developed to stretch students’ understanding of the substance that makes good design.