Graphic Design ,BSD

Graphic Design, BSD

Academic Programs / Undergraduate Degrees / Graphic Design

Communication, Communications, Digital Design, Graphic Communication, Information Design, Typography, Visual Branding, animation, creative, digital

Develop your creative skills, for future work in design firms or corporate in-house departments that specialize in branding, information graphics, interaction, motion, exhibit, publication, interface, web design and other design related fields.
Program Description ▲

The graphic design program in The Design School is committed to excellence in traditional and contemporary graphic design education, professionalism, research, and service for the community at large. Faculty, alumni, students, and visiting designers and educators constantly reinforce the link between society and nature and vigorously advocate quality in developing communication strategies.

The curriculum acknowledges the need for creative environments that address ecological concerns and encourages students to develop sustainable transdisciplinary works sensitive to cultural aesthetic. The curriculum rests on a strong foundation (design principles) provided in lower-division studio and lecture courses. Upper-division studio courses provide opportunities for students to work in collaborative teams addressing professional projects in information design, interaction design, exhibition design, animation, motion graphics, branding, publication design, web design, interface design and multiple contemporary facets of sensorial design.

Students are free to explore http://asudesignshow.com/ --- a site maintained, monitored and voiced by alumni and members of the Graphic Design Senior Student Association. The Visual Communication Design faculty believe that the prime endorsement of the quality and continuing evolution of the program is sustained when voices are heard from an active, enthusiastic and professionally progressive body of alumni and students.

Graphic designers are responsible for designing how information is communicated. Forms of communication include print, video, film and electronic (web). Graphic designers are concerned with appearance, choosing the appropriate mechanism for communication, clarity of information and its effectiveness, and how communication is transferred and received.

The BSD program in graphic design places an emphasis on strategic communication developed through a design process that includes research, analysis, conceptualization, planning and realization. The process leads to innovative visual communication design solutions for contemporary design problems that are local to global in scope.

All students who are admitted to the major must pass a degree milestone at the end of the first year to continue in the major. For more information on the milestone process, students should visit https://design.asu.edu/resources/students/milestones. This is an eight-semester graphic design program that requires sequential completion of studio coursework or approved equivalent at any point of entry.

This program is offered by The Design School at ASU.

At a Glance ▲
  • Additional Program Fee: Yes
  • Second Language Requirement: No
  • First Required Math Course: MAT 142 - College Mathematics
    OR MAT 117 OR MAT 119
  • Math Intensity: Generalprogram math intensity general

Required Courses (Major Map) ▲

Admission Requirements ▲
General University Admission Requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
Freshman | Transfer | International | Readmission

Change of Major Requirements▲

An ASU student who would like to change majors to one offered by the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A").

Students should refer to https://changemajor.apps.asu.edu for information about how to change a major to this program.

Attend Online▲

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information here.

Transfer Options▲

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU™ to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and help students save time and money in their college journey. Students may learn more about these programs by visiting the admission site: https://admission.asu.edu/transfer/pathway-programs.

Global Opportunities▲
Global Experience

Study abroad programs provide graphic design students with a chance to explore different ways of communicating information visually across cultures. Students can gain global skills and knowledge while earning ASU credit for completed courses in countries like the Netherlands, Germany and many more in preparation for a 21st-century career. https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu/

Career Opportunities▲

Based on a diversified portfolio upon graduation, those who opt for the graphic design profession gain employment in:

  • advertising and marketing design
  • brand and corporate identity design
  • broadcast (TV graphics) design
  • interaction and interface design
  • museum or exhibition design
  • publication design
  • visual communication design
  • web design

Specific examples of graphic designers' work include:

  • annual reports
  • books
  • environmental graphics
  • information design
  • motion graphics
  • multimedia presentations
  • publications
  • websites

Graduates of the program may also pursue graduate studies leading to careers in design education and other fields of professional endeavor in design.

Career examples include but are not limited to those shown in the following list. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.


Career *Growth *Median Salary
5.4%
$92,500
12.0%
$66,930
8.9%
$48,590
9.4%
$64,480
5.8%
$55,930
  
$42,350
4.2%
$48,700
4.4%
$65,970
10.5%
$63,750
  
$39,910
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook Green Occupation Green Occupation

Contact Information▲

The Design School | CDN 162
herbergeradvising@asu.edu | 480-965-4495

What are Accelerated Programs?
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor’s degree in 2.5 or 3 years.

Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master’s degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.

Accelerated bachelor’s degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
What are Concurrent Programs?
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
What are Joint Programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a New Program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are Online Programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)?
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program in which residents of western states (other than Arizona) may be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition. See more information and eligibility requirements on the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program.

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