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Graphic Design

Recent data from The American Institute of Graphic Arts indicates that nine out of 10 graphic artists have a college degree and the most significant trend in graphic design is an extraordinary demand for good designers that far exceeds supply.

The program prepares students for careers and graduate work in the field of graphic design including illustration and web/electronic design. Students prepare skills for professional practice by integrating the content areas of design theory, production, history, criticism, and aesthetics. Coursework provides a foundation in creativity, critical thinking, and problem analysis. The curriculum integrates traditional art techniques with industry standards of digital technology. Graduates of the BA program are employed in creative departments of corporations, retail establishments, advertising/design firms, publishing and public relations firms.

View the graphic design student gallery

  • Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

    1. Students will be able to think and write critically about art and design: historical periods, movements, artists, styles, cultures, criticism, theory and design analysis. 1.1 Demonstrate the ability to situate and interpret visual art and design in their historical and cultural contexts.

    1.2  Demonstrate the ability to write about his/her own visual research.

    1.3 Demonstrate the ability to write effective professional communication.
     2. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and communicate art historical periods, movements, artists, styles, cultures, criticism, theory and design analysis in visual formats and show the development and application of skills necessary to create original designs and components of visual communication.

    2.1 Demonstrate the ability to visually situate and interpret visual art and design in their historical and cultural contexts.

    2.2 Demonstrate the ability to identify and apply technical and conceptual properties of design.

    2.3 Demonstrate the ability to solve design problems using critical thinking and design analysis.
    3. Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to apply and present verbal articulation in analysis of work.

    3.1 Utilize appropriate art and design theory terminology in verbal discussion of assigned materials/topics.

    3.2 Demonstrate the ability to apply and present verbal articulation in analysis of his/her own work.

  • The University’s mission is to promote global perspectives, support the regional employment objectives of its students, prepare students to participate as responsible citizens in a diverse, global, and knowledge-based society and pursue a lifestyle of continued learning. The primary mission of the Visual Arts program, BA Art Studio emphasis Graphic Design, is to support the University’s mission by improving students’ ability to be effective visual communicators and increase perception of global environments in design and consider global shifts in visual codes. The integrated content areas of design theory: production, history, criticism, and aesthetics, develops the necessary creative and technical skills involved in graphic problem solving. Attention is paid to ethical practices, students’ roles as citizens, and the impact their designs could have on society.

  • Students will be able to:

    • Think and write critically about art and design with reference to historical periods, movements, artists, styles, cultures,criticism, theory, and design analysis.
    • Demonstrate knowledge and communicate art historical periods, movements, artists, styles, cultures, criticism, theory and design analysis in visual formats.
    • Demonstrate the development and application of the skills necessary to create original designs and components of visual communication.
    • Demonstrate the ability to apply and present verbal articulation in analysis of work.

  • Internships and experiential learning give students real world experiences that lead them toward their career past graduation. Students are encouraged to minor in Art History, as it requires only two additional art history courses in addition to the four required by the major. This is recognized as a strengthening to student’s skills/knowledge and a positive addition to the resume.

    • Whipp, Inc. 
    • Spartanburg Art Museum
    • The Johnson Collection (private art collection)
    • Hubbell Lighting
    • The STUDIO Practicum, 
    • West Main Artist Coop
    • Boys & Girls Club of the Upstate
    • Spartanburg Art Museum
    • The Palladian Group
    • Susan G. Komen for the Cure
    • Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System 
    • Spartanburg Herald Journal