Graphic Design ,BSD
Communication, Communications, Digital Design, Graphic Communication, Information Design, Typography, Visual Branding, animation, creative, digital
Are you a creative interested in visual communication? Become a creative professional graphic designer by learning how to synthesize complex information into visual systems, and support business and social goals for communication, branding, entertainment, justice, sustainability or education.
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 they vigorously advocate quality in developing communication strategies.
The Bachelor of Science in Design curriculum acknowledges the need for creative environments that address ecological concerns, and students are encouraged to develop sustainable, transdisciplinary work sensitive to cultural aesthetic. Students develop a strong foundation of design principles through lower-division studio and lecture courses, using this to build an overall understanding of how design can shape perception and meaning using visual media. 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 the multiple contemporary facets of sensorial design.
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.
- College/school:
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
- Location: Tempe or Online , ASU Local
- Second language requirement: No
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
- First
required math course:
MAT 142 - College Mathematics
Any math course that meets the MATH designation. - Math
intensity: General
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission
An ASU student who would like to change majors into this program and would be new to this major must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and understand their GPA must be brought up to a 3.00 or above within one semester to remain in good standing. An ASU student who is returning to this major (having previously studied this major in a prior semester) must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
It is now possible to earn an ASU degree with ASU Local, an integrated college experience in which students take advantage of in-person success coaching and programming experiences on site while completing one of 130+ undergraduate online degree programs, all of which come with online faculty interaction and tutoring support.
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 they help students save time and money in their college journey.
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Develop design fundamentals in the context of diverse visual settings, demonstrating familiarity with their understanding of their core principles.
- Critically adapt their designs and methodology to convey clear messages to broad audiences.
- Address creative environments that respond to ecological concerns, sensitive to cultural aesthetics, sustainability, and social issues through skills for reading, analyzing, and discussing interactions between designers and society.
Study abroad provides graphic design students with a chance to explore their creative side through an intercultural lens, challenging them to think differently as an artist and to explore different ways of communicating information visually across cultures as they build communication skills.
With more than 300 options available, whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, Global Education programs give students a breadth of knowledge in arts and culture. Students can gain a global perspective and knowledge while earning ASU credit. Students learn to adapt and persevere and to look inside themselves in a way they haven't done before, growing their self-confidence along the way.
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 design (TV graphics)
- information 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
- motion graphics
- multimedia presentations
- publications
- websites
Graduates may also pursue graduate studies that lead to careers in design education and other fields of professional endeavors in design.
Example job titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
| Career | *Growth | *Median salary |
|---|---|---|
|
8.2%
|
$98,950
|
|
|
6.1%
|
$105,180
|
|
|
3.2%
|
$77,280
|
|
|
-13.5%
|
$47,910
|
|
|
3.3%
|
$57,990
|
|
|
2.0%
|
$75,910
|
|
|
3.0%
|
$61,660
|
|
|
-17.1%
|
$43,560
|
|
|
7.3%
|
$59,990
|
The Design School
|
CDS 101
herbergeradmissions@asu.edu
480-965-4495
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
