Graphic Design BA
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About the Program
The graphic design major provides individuals with the opportunity to learn the skills, principles, and latest industry-standard tools needed to prepare for a wide variety of careers in the graphic design industry. The courses focus on the art of communication and problem-solving through the use of type, space, visual imagery, and computer software.
Admissions
Admission decisions are made in accordance with criteria, policies, and procedures established by FDU. Students must maintain a grade point ratio of 2.00 in their courses at FDU subsequent to admission.
Professional Competencies
As a result of engaging in this major, students will gaina broad range of skills and competnencies in major areas of their lives:
Procedural
- Gaining a broad exposure to various media and design formats
- Perfecting artistic approaches and techniques
Communication
- Communicating visually and verbally
- Providing and reacting to feedback as well as critique
Critical Thinking
- Working through constraints and limitations
- Understanding and adapting large quantities of information
Habits of Mind
- Working under pressure and meeting deadlines
- Problem-solving and adapting strategies
Possible Career Paths
The world of arts careers is vast and ever-changing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics points to several possible career paths graduates of this degree can pursue:
- Artist/art director
- Designer/ graphic designer
- Interior design/fashion
- Editor/content creator
- Photographer
- Technical writer/creative writer
About our Major
This rigorous curriculum merges creative visual aesthetics with modern technology, which is necessary for mastering print, illustration or web media production. Completion of this program will result in a Bachelor of Arts in graphic design with a concentration in illustration, print design, or web design awarded by Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Concentrations
We offer three areas of concentration:
- Print Design Concentration places a strong emphasis on concept development, technical skills, and aesthetics, in problem-solving.
- Web Design Concentration blends technical skills with design expertise, preparing students for a variety of careers in the interactive industry.
- Illustration Concentration allows students to focus on developing a personal style while practicing their craft. Imagination and experimentation are encouraged, as students learn techniques in traditional and digital media.
Academic Advisor
Experiential Learning Curriculum
All programs emphasize individual discovery, as students work on collaborative projects that are showcased in a variety of exhibits and displays at the University. Career and freelance skills are taught in upper-level classes. No matter which concentration is chosen, all three instill the creative, technological, and philosophical skills necessary to be competitive in today’s market. Creativity and concept are key in the FDU Design Programs.
Student Learning Outcomes
After completing this major, students will:
- Demonstrate critical thinking and research techniques as a part of the visual problem solving method of creativity
- Understand the principles and elements of design and demonstrate the ability of specific areas of design, layout, typography, pre-press, and printing
- Demonstrate the ability to use the appropriate computer technology in the creation of design projects
- Demonstrate the ability to articulate concept intention and construction of meaningful images through written or oral communication
- Understand relevant and ethical practices as they apply to the graphic design profession
Illustration Concentration
Illustration allows for a personal style, giving students a competitive edge in their design careers. The illustration concentration gives students the opportunity to develop their abilities in a wide range of marketing, advertising, and editorial art arenas, through the development of critical-thinking skills in visual communication. Students will learn a variety of digital and real-media techniques, with an emphasis on design principles and concept development.
Required Theory and Production (33 credits)
- CGD 1212 Intro to Graphic Design
- CGD 1313 Creative Imagery with Photoshop
- CGD 1314 Illustrator Graphics and Design
- CGD 1552 The Digital Children’s Book
- CGDH 2020 History of Graphic Design
- CGD 2212 Typography I
- CGD 2213 Visual Principles in Design
- CGD 3355 Package Design
- CGD 3305 Dynamic Design
- CGD 3351 Illustration Design
- CGD 4420 Thesis
- CGD 4500 Portfolio Preparation
Concentration Electives
Choose three courses (9 credits) from other CGD and/or CGDH courses not listed in your concentration as required. Check with your adviser as to the availability of elective courses as they vary by semester.
NOTE: Six credits in Graphic Design Internship may be used to fulfill concentration electives.
Required Cognates (9 credits)
Print Design Concentration
The print design concentration teaches the creative process of producing visual communications and presentations in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience, specifically intended for printing. The most common types of print-design products are publications, brochures, business cards, posters, product labels, and packaging.
Required (33 credits)
- CGD 1212 Intro to Graphic Design
- CGD 1313 Creative Imagery with Photoshop
- CGD 1314 Illustrator Graphics and Design
- CGDH 2020 History of Graphic Design
- CGD 2212 Typography I
- CGD 2213 Visual Principles in Design
- CGD 2370 Print Layout
- CGD 3352 Typography II
- CGD 3355 Package Design
- CGD 3215 Editorial Design
- CGD 4420 Thesis
- CGD 4500 Portfolio Preparation
Concentration Electives
Choose three courses (9 credits) from other CGD and/or CGDH courses not listed in your concentration as required. Check with your adviser as to the availability of elective courses as they vary by semester.
NOTE: Six credits in Graphic Design Internship may be used to fulfill concentration electives.
Required Cognates (6 credits)
Web Design Concentration
The web design concentration encompasses a variety of skills in the design and production of websites and other internet products including interface design, authoring, and coding through the use of proprietary software. Students study how websites work in order to produce the front-end user interface as well as develop the functionality, navigation, and interactivity of web-based products.
Required (33 credits)
- CGD 1212 Intro to Graphic Design
- CGD 1313 Creative Imagery with Photoshop
- CGD 1314 Illustrator Graphics and Design
- CGD 2212 Typography I
- CGD 2213 Visual Principles in Design
- CGD 3305 Dynamic Design
- CGDH 2020 History of Graphic Design
- CGD 3303 Web Design
- CGD 3315 WordPress
- CGD 3377 Web Design II
- CGD 4420 Thesis
- CGD 4500 Portfolio Preparation
Concentration Electives
Choose three courses (9 credits) from other CGD and/or CGDH courses not listed in your concentration as required. Check with your adviser as to the availability of elective courses as they vary by semester.
NOTE: Six credits in Graphic Design Internship may be used to fulfill concentration electives.
Required Cognates (9 credits)
Electives
- CGD 1050 Creative Concept Drawing
- CGD 1552 The Digital Children’s Book
- CGDH 2021 Aesthetics for Designers
- CGD 2170 Branding Design
- CGD 2213 Visual Principles in Design
- CGD 2214 Digital Prepress
- CGD 2215 Editorial Design and Illustration
- CGDH 2216 Design for Social Responsibility
- CGD 2217 Motion Graphics for Designers
- CGD 2243 Children’s Book Publishing
- CGD 2370 Print Layout
- CGD 2800 Graphic Design Independent Study
- CGD 2810 Ui/Ux an Intro to Digital Product Design
- CGD 3047 Literary Publishing
- CGD 3215 Editorial Design
- CGD 3300 Illustration: Special Topics
- CGD 3303 Web Design
- CGD 3305 Dynamic Design
- CGD 3315 WordPress
- CGD 3351 Illustration Design
- CGD 3352 Typography 2
- CGD 3353 Content Marketing for Designer
- CGD 3355 Package Design
- CGD 3361 Mobile Web Design
- CGD 3362 Mobile App Design
- CGD 3363 Interactive Publishing
- CGD 3361 Mobile Web Design
- CGD 3362 Mobile App Design
- CGD 3369 Motion on the Web
- CGD 3371 Sell Your Design Online
- CGD 3375 Fashion Illustration
- CGD 3377 Web Design II
- CGD 3380 Social Media Marketing Design
- CGD 3500 Cartooning-Intro, Techniques & App
- CGD 3800 Junior Independent Study
- CGD 3890 Junior Independent Study
- CGD 4422 Graphic Design Internship I
- CGD 4423 Graphic Design Internship II
- CGD 4800 Computer Graphics Independent Study
- CGD 4891 Computer Graphics Independent Study
- CGD 4900 Faculty/Student Research I
- CGD 4901 Faculty/Student Research II