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.
As a Graphic Design student, you develop core skills in design processes, typography, visual communication, and software tools. You will then explore applying those skills in the Surface and Pattern Design Emphasis. You will focus on the union of Graphic Design and Illustration and will learn to create patterns, illustrations, and typography for consumer products, fabric, paper goods, and more. This design focus includes traditional and digital image-making.
Students may initially declare a Graphic Design major. Still, after completing a series of core courses, they will apply to continue in the major towards the end of their sophomore year. 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.
As a Graphic Design student, you develop core skills in design processes, typography, visual communication, and software tools. You will then explore applying those skills in the Surface and Pattern Design Emphasis. You will focus on the union of Graphic Design and Illustration and will learn to create patterns, illustrations, and typography for consumer products, fabric, paper goods, and more. This design focus includes traditional and digital image-making.
Students may initially declare a Graphic Design major. Still, after completing a series of core courses, they will apply to continue in the major towards the end of their sophomore year. 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 Surface and Pattern 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.
Packaging Designer
A Packaging Designer will use design elements such as shape, color, graphics, and typography to create packaging that is functional and appealing to customers. Designers also have to be good listeners and collaborate with multiple stakeholders both within an organization and outside of it to meet branding, business, budget, time, and safety requirements.
Experience Designer
Experience designers work in real-world spaces designing signage, interactive experiences, and more.
Surface/Pattern Design In-House
Design patterns in-house for a company.
Entrepreneur
Own your own business as a freelance designer.
Getting Started in this degree
If you are interested in Surface and Pattern 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.
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.
The visual communication emphasis trains content creators to communicate clearly and effectively for careers requiring broad graphic skills.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 a student in photography, you will learn technical and creative skills that allow you to develop a portfolio. These skills will also prepare you to take advantage of careers in commercial photography, fine art photography, and small business ownership.
Students wanting to study video production will be prepared to use video to effectively inform, educate, and entertain a broad spectrum of target audiences.