Designing Your Future
Graphic Design shows everywhere, from brands developed for large corporations to patterns created for products sold in stores to the interfaces used on computer programs and apps.
Branding and Identity designers use their design process skills to help clients solve design problems. Considered the traditional path to a career in Graphic Design, you will learn to help clients manage their visual identity and brand. You will focus on giving a visual voice through color, typography, motion, imagery, and more.
Students may initially declare a Graphic Design major but will apply to continue in the major towards the end of their sophomore year after completing a series of core courses. Students who do not continue in the major may complete a minor in Graphic Design or a concentration in Graphic Design that can be used with an Interdisciplinary Studies degree.
Branding and Identity designers use their design process skills to help clients solve design problems. Considered the traditional path to a career in Graphic Design, you will learn to help clients manage their visual identity and brand. You will focus on giving a visual voice through color, typography, motion, imagery, and more.
Students may initially declare a Graphic Design major but will apply to continue in the major towards the end of their sophomore year after completing a series of core courses. Students who do not continue in the major may complete a minor in Graphic Design or a concentration in Graphic Design that can be used with an Interdisciplinary Studies degree.
Highlighted Career Paths
Graduates with a degree in Graphic Design, with a Branding and Identity Design emphasis, have a wide array of rewarding careers before them. Check out some of the top careers students get with this degree or explore more career options in I-Plan.
Identity/Branding
Identity/Branding Design is essentially 'how' a business wants to be perceived by customers. Every design project falls within branding/identity to some extent in either developing a new visual system or designing within an existing one. You may be hired to work “in-house” or you may choose to work as an entrepreneur or contracted artist.
Web Developer
Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.
Set and Exhibit Designers
Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.
Getting Started in this degree
If you are interested in Branding and Identity Design, start with one of the following major-specific courses
Related Majors
As a Graphic Design student, you’ll develop typography, composition, design process, and visual communication skills. You will learn to think like a designer, give visual form to your ideas, and become adept at solving visual and conceptual problems.
As a Graphic Design student, you’ll develop typography, composition, design process, and visual communication skills. You will learn to think like a designer, give visual form to your ideas, and become adept at solving visual and conceptual problems.
As an Art Education Major, you will have the opportunity to study a variety of art studio processes as well as how to teach them. You will learn how to inspire future students in art techniques, self-expression, and creativity.
In the Fine Art Major, 2D Emphasis, students will master the skills and concepts required to become confident and productive professional artists. Students will be prepared for a lifetime of involvement in the arts and create a portfolio of work from still life, landscape, figurative, and abstract works. You will explore a variety of techniques. With the expert faculty's guidance, you will develop technical and creative thinking skills and discover new possibilities that strengthen your work.
As a student in photography, you will learn the technical and creative skills that allow you to develop a portfolio. These skills will also prepare you to teach photography or work in commercial photography or fine art photography. They also prepare you for small business ownership.
As an Art Education Major, you will have the opportunity to study a variety of art studio processes as well as how to teach them. You will learn how to inspire future students in art processes, self-expression, and creativity. This emphasis will prepare students to teach in a Drawing and Painting program and other forms of art instruction.
With this emphasis, you can share your passion for the incredible world of illustration with students as you teach them. Inspire students to become more creative and find interest in art. This emphasis will prepare a candidate to teach in an illustration program as well as general art teaching jobs.
In the Illustration BA with an Entertainment Emphasis, students will be introduced to the entertainment industry markets. Students will be taught necessary skills and practices as they develop a portfolio, network, and work towards employment after graduation.
Students will be introduced to the publishing industry markets and taught necessary skills and practices as they develop a portfolio, network, and work towards employment after graduation.
In this emphasis, you will be prepared to teach graphic design with a versatile curriculum. You will learn about how to employ various mediums of art and about relevant skills for graphic design. This emphasis will prepare a candidate for teaching in K-12 programs and for other endeavors in art and graphic design.
As a student in the 3D emphasis, you will be taught basic ceramics and/or sculpture skills. These skills include throwing, hand-building, mold-making, assemblage, and figure modeling. You will create a portfolio of work preparing you for a lifetime of involvement in the arts. The portfolio will include exhibiting your work in galleries, seeking commissions, creating 3D works for personal enjoyment, or pursuing graduate schooling.
Do you want to teach the next generation about your passion for creating 3D art? In 3D studies, you will be taught basic technical skills in ceramics and sculpture, including throwing, hand-building, etc. This emphasis will prepare a candidate to teach 3D studies and other art teaching jobs.
Students wanting to study video production will be prepared to use video to effectively inform, educate, and entertain a broad spectrum of target audiences.
The visual communication emphasis trains content creators to communicate clearly and effectively for careers requiring broad graphic skills.