Graphic Design (B.A.)

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate fundamental visual communication principles, theories, and processes. (APPLICATION)
  • With a continued emphasis on the basic elements and principles of design throughout the coursework, students can effectively manipulate space, typography, imagery, and time to communicate. The ability to develop a solid hierarchy of information to facilitate effective visual communication has been developed.
• Students will research, analyze, and develop strong design solutions for defined audiences. (RESEARCH)
  • When presented with a visual communication problem, students are prepared to analyze the relevant issues, conduct research, and develop an original approach to the problem for defined audiences. Multiple techniques in iterative problem-solving, collaboration, systematic thinking, and creative brainstorming are introduced and expanded upon through successive projects to enable students to respond to increasingly complex problems with creative and appropriate solutions.
• Students will recognize the role of visual communication design in business, industry, society, culture, and technology. (CONTEXT)
  • Students have been exposed to historical and contemporary issues in design and have an understanding of its role in business, industry, society, culture, and technology. There is comprehension of how design can serve, support, and/or lead a specific cause. This knowledge base reinforces the development of both oral and written communication skills used to support proposed design directions when presenting work, as evidenced by peer critiques and the development of professional presentation materials.
• Students will describe visual communication design industry tools, technology, ethics, and practices; and employ skills to effectively use those tools. (TECHNOLOGY AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE)
  • A working knowledge of current professional practices, industry tools and technology has been developed and can be described, and students can articulate design ethics and the appropriate uses for each tool as informed by industry practice. Students can identify resources for self-driven learning of this knowledge base and graduate with the skills necessary to respond to a rapidly evolving industry tool set.

Recommended

• A Global Learning (GL) experience

Required

• General Education Requirements
• Internship
• Major requires 39 semester hours