Graphic Design - B.S.
The Graphic Design bachelor’s degree program combines visual design foundation courses and pre-professional educational experience to prepare students for careers in professional graphic design.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the common elements, vocabulary, visual culture and history of design, and the interaction of these elements in modern context.
- Apply professional processes to analyze a problem, conduct research, propose solutions, write specifications and execute delivery of a product.
- Communicate, create and develop successful solutions to visual concepts reflecting the principles of visualization and design, typography, imagery, user-experience and aesthetics.
- Use traditional tools, technology, materials and production methods of the discipline to create effective solutions to design problems.
- Design solutions that respond to the physical, cognitive, cultural, social and/or ethical elements of the audience.
Students in this degree program prepare for a wide range of career opportunities in the creative industries where graphic design and web design intersect. Sample job titles in this rapidly changing professional market include graphic designer, digital designer, visual designer, UI/UX (user interface) designer, web designer, creative/art director, digital designer, interactive designer, multimedia designer and more.
The academic and experiential focus of this program prepares students to solve various digital communication problems using visual design and digital tools. Learning is professionally focused and performance-based using current digital software and hardware in university labs and studios.
There are two major focus areas that students can choose from: (1) web design or (2) print design courses to fine tune skill sets in two major areas of the field.
In their sophomore year, students assemble a comprehensive portfolio that demonstrates their increasingly sophisticated mastery of design. Students begin to identify and present themselves as independent designers through the development of focused identity that carries through to all of their presentation materials.
The senior year is highlighted with real-world experience in the Design Team courses and through internships. Students develop competitive skills in project management by creating, managing and presenting graphic design projects for real-world clients.
In Design Team I and II, senior-level students apply their knowledge to real-world problems through experiential education. Working from the John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation, students provide design solutions for community partners. Students hone their design skills by creating, editing and presenting visual collateral that includes branding/logo design; print peripherals, including pamphlets, posters, organizational identity kits and infographics; video; motion graphics; and websites. Students work in project teams supervised by faculty.
Students complete the Senior Portfolio Assessment course, which guides them through the assembly of a comprehensive digital and physical portfolio that demonstrates their increasingly sophisticated mastery of design. With faculty guidance, students gather, revise and organize their best works as well as enhance their portfolios with additional advanced design projects. In the final week of the course, students present and defend their work to a select group of faculty and visiting industry professionals. This course is the springboard for students to start applying for internships and other experiential education opportunities that are required of the program. Students also show their work in the annual Senior Showcase Exhibit.
Other opportunities such as study abroad, national competitions and school exhibitions are also available to qualified students and complement the college experience.
Graphic Design
A four-year program leading to the bachelor of science degree
Credits Major Courses | ||
| GDES1000 | Drawing for Design | 3 |
| GDES1001 | First Year Design Student Seminar | 1 |
| GDES1020 | Design Theory and Practice | 3 |
| GDES1030 | Vector-Based Design | 3 |
| GDES1040 | Foundations of Web Design | 3 |
| GDES1050 | Image Editing and Design | 3 |
| GDES1060 | User Experience and Content Design I | 3 |
| GDES2000 | Typography | 3 |
| GDES2030 | Editorial & Publication Design | 3 |
| GDES2050 | Content Management Systems | 3 |
| GDES2060 | Portfolio Assessment for Digital | 3 |
| GDES2061 | Portfolio Assessment for Print | 3 |
| GDES3015 | Design Team I | 4 |
| GDES3025 | Design Team II | 4 |
| GDES3250 | Brand Identity Design and Development | 3 |
| GDES3300 | Design for Video I | 3 |
| GDES4050 | Senior Portfolio Assessment | 3 |
| IDES1010 | Introduction to 3D Design | 3 |
| Major Focus | ||
| Choose one of the areas below for a Major Focus: | 9 | |
| Web Design | ||
| Screen Design and Coding II | ||
| User Experience and Content Design II | ||
or GDES3315 | Introduction to Programming with JavaScript | |
| Advanced Content Management Systems | ||
| Print Design | ||
| Advanced Publication & Print | ||
| Package Design | ||
| Wayfinding & Environmental Graphics | ||
| Applied/Experiential Learning | ||
| Choose 6 credits of the following: | 6 | |
| Directed Experiential Education D | ||
| College of Engineering & Design Internship Ic | ||
| Technical Solutions Design Project | ||
| Related Professional Studies | ||
| ADVC1010 | Marketing Communications | 3 |
| CAR0010 | Career Management | 1 |
| FYS1020 | First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| A&S Core Experience | ||
| Communications Foundation Courses | 9 | |
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition II | ||
| Communication Skills | ||
| Integrative Learning | 6 | |
Two ILS courses, one at the 2000 level, and one at the 4000 level | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 6 | |
| Art History | ||
One course from HIST, HUM, LIT, PHIL or REL | ||
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| A Survey of College Mathematics (or higher, based on student's placement) | ||
| Statistics I | ||
| Science | 3 | |
One course from BIO, CHM, PHY or SCI | ||
| Social Sciences | 6 | |
| Sociology I | ||
or SOC2005 | Honors Seminar: Social Inequalities | |
One course from ANTH, ECON, GEND, LEAD, PSCI, PSYC or RES | ||
| A&S Electives | 6 | |
| Foundations of Digital Photography | ||
One course with an EASC attribute | ||
| Free Electives # | ||
| 6 credits selected from 1000-4999 numbered offerings within the university | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 122.0 | |
D Directed Experiential Education (DEE) opportunities are based on project availability with community partners and student eligibility. For more information, visit Experiential Education & Career Services (EE&CS).
IcTypically, internships require a minimum of six credits. Students interested in a 9 or 12-credit internship can apply additional experiential learning and free elective credits, if available. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty advisor before scheduling internship and free elective credits.
# In addition to classes, free elective credits may be applied to a number of options such as internship, study abroad, Directed Experiential Education courses and courses in a specialization or minor as relevant. For Accelerated Master's program students, up to three graduate-level courses may apply. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty advisor before scheduling free elective credits.
NOTE: Students must pass MATH0010 Pre-Algebra or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in required math course(s).
Note: Students must pass ENG0001 Writing Workshop or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in ILS 2000-level courses
In collaboration with academic colleges across all JWU campuses, JWU Global Study Abroad programs offer a variety of international options for major, minor, arts and sciences, and elective credit at many affordable price points for students during the academic year, break periods, and summer. Faculty-led, exchange, affiliate, and direct-enroll programs range in duration from one week to a full semester or full year. Financial aid may be applied and scholarships are available. Visit the study abroad website for information, program descriptions and online applications. Where will you go?