The “Triads”

For three consecutive semesters in the sophomore and junior years, students take one core studio (6 credits) plus two co-requisite studios (3 credits each) This series of scaffolded courses prepares students for upper-level advanced studios in the areas of branding, interaction, and service design, as well as other systems-based design areas (12 credit hours per semester, 36 credit hours total).

SOPHOMORE FALL

• GD 201 Design, Context, and Experience (6 credits – Core Studio)
• GD 210 Image and Technology (3 credits – Co-Requisite)
• GD 217 Typography and Technology (3 credits – Co-Requisite)

SOPHOMORE SPRING

• GD 202 Designing for Settings, People, and Use (6 credits – Core Studio)
• GD 310 Visualization, Representation, and Display (3 credits – Co-Requisite)
• GD 317 Typographic Language, Writing, and Reading (3 credits – Co-Requisite)

JUNIOR FALL

• GD 301 Branding, Interaction, and Service Design (6 credits – Core Studio)
• GD 410 Online and Mobile Interaction Design Systems (3 credits – Co-Requisite)
• GD 417 Information and Publishing Design Systems (3 credits – Co-Requisite)

Advanced Graphic Design Studios

Beginning in the spring semester of the junior year, students take up to two GD400 topical and interdisciplinary studios that address advanced visual communication problems. Advanced studios challenge students to create comprehensive systems of artifacts and interfaces that demonstrate student knowledge of branding, interaction design, service design, and user experience design, expressed in a range of physical and digital media.

Capstone Graphic Design Studio

The culminating studio, GD401, is taken in the final semester, with emphasis on the transition from college to career. Students research, develop, and execute large-scale individual projects, which are publicly displayed in their senior show. In preparation for professional practice, each student also launches a portfolio website and prepares a resumé.

Additional Courses

Graphic Design History (GD203), Graphic Design Theory and Practice (GD303), plus Design Electives that focus on topics pertinent to industry, which students select based on individual interest.

The following sample curricular display shows the graphic design and general courses necessary to complete the Bachelor of Graphic Design degree within four years. Students can take general courses in a different order than shown, as well as during summer sessions.

• Bachelor Graphic Design: Eight Semester Display
• Bachelor of Graphic Design: Degree Audit (perform the following steps after clicking this link)

Choose “Design”
Choose “Graphic Design”