Graphic & Experience Design (Bachelor)
The Graphic & Experience Design program is a part of the Department of Graphic and Industrial Design. The Graphic & Experience Design program awards a Bachelor of Graphic & Experience Design (BGXD), a professional degree, recognized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The program blends user experience and user interface design (UX/UI) with traditional graphic design practices like branding, typography, service design, and exhibition design. Students create interfaces, digital products, brands, and environments that are embedded in larger experiences. Through project-based assignments, students acquire strong formal and conceptual skills framed by a human-centered approach. Upon entry to the program, students establish a comprehensive design foundation through sequenced core studios paired with specialized courses in typography, design systems, design history and design theory. Students then progress to advanced studios that enable in-depth exploration of special topics such as data visualization, branding, accessible design, and artificial intelligence. Students interact with organizations through these upper-level studios鈥攐ften including sponsored studio projects鈥攁nd through internships to gain experience working with clients and end-users.
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | ||
| 贰狈骋听101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| Design Elective | ||
| 骋顿听303 | Graphic Design Theory and Practice 1 | 3 |
| 骋顿听217 | Typography and Technology 1 | 3 |
| 骋顿听317 | Typographic Language, Writing, and Reading 1 | 3 |
| 骋顿听203 | History of Graphic Design 1 | 3 |
| 骋顿听417 | Information and Publishing Design Systems 1 | 3 |
| Design History Elective | 3 | |
| Design Electives | 6 | |
| Studio | ||
| 顿听100 | Design Inquiry I: Methods and Processes | 3 |
| 顿听104 | First Year Studio I | 6 |
| 骋顿听201 | Design, Context, and Experience 1 | 6 |
| 骋顿听202 | Designing for Settings, People, and Use 1 | 6 |
| 骋顿听210 | Image and Tech Tinkering 1 | 6 |
| 骋顿听301 | Branding, Interaction, and Service Design 1 | 6 |
| 骋顿听400 | Advanced Graphic Design Studio 1 | 6 |
| Advanced Studio Electives 1 | 12 | |
| 骋顿听401 | Graphic Design Practicum 1 | 3 |
| Mathematical Sciences | ||
| Mathematical Sciences Elective | 6 | |
| International Experience | ||
| International Experience (verify requirement) 2 | 0 | |
| General Education Program (GEP) Courses | ||
| GEP Humanities | 6 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 6 | |
| GEP Natural Sciences | 7 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | ||
| GEP Foundations of American Democracy (verify requirement) | ||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Free Electives 2 | 8 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
- 2
Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.
Design History Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 础搁颁听241 | History of World Architecture | 3 |
| 础搁颁听242 | History of Western Architecture | 3 |
| 贬础听201 | History of Art from Caves to the Renaissance | 3 |
| 贬础听202 | History of Art From the Renaissance Through the 20th Century | 3 |
| 贬础听203 | History of American Art | 3 |
| 尝础搁听444 | History of Landscape Architecture | 3 |
Design Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 础顿狈听212 | Photography I | 3 |
| 础顿狈听219 | Digital Imaging I | 3 |
| 础顿狈听272 | Introduction to Printing and Surface Design | 3 |
| 础顿狈听273 | Fibers Materials and Processes | 3 |
| 础顿狈听281 | Drawing I | 3 |
| 础顿狈听312 | Photography II | 3 |
| 础顿狈听319 | Animation I | 3 |
| 础顿狈听384 | Painting I | 3 |
| 础顿狈听386 | Sculpture I | 3 |
| 础顿狈听414 | Color and Light | 3 |
| 础顿狈听419 | Creative Technology Studio II | 3 |
| 础顿狈听472 | Advanced Surface Design | 3 |
| 础顿狈听481 | Drawing II | 3 |
| 础顿狈听486 | Sculpture II | 3 |
| 础搁颁听162 | An Introduction to Architecture | 3 |
| 骋顿听492 | Special Topics in Graphic Design | 3 |
| 骋顿听494 | Internship in Graphic Design | 3 |
| 骋顿听495 | Independent Study in Graphic Design | 1-3 |
| 滨顿听292 | Special Topics in Industrial Design | 1-3 |
| 滨顿听492 | Special Topics in Industrial Design | 1-3 |
| 滨顿听494 | Internship in Industrial Design | 1-6 |
| 滨顿听495 | Independent Study in Industrial Design | 1-3 |
| 尝础搁听292 | Special Topics in Landscape Architecture | 1-3 |
| 尝础搁听492 | Special Topics in Landscape Architecture | 1-3 |
Advanced Studio Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 础顿狈听204 | Media Arts, Design and Technology in Context | 6 |
| 础顿狈听460 | Creative Technology Studio III | 6 |
| 础顿狈听470 | Fibers and Surface Design Studio | 6 |
| 础顿狈听480 | Creative Technology Studio IV | 6 |
| 础搁颁听401 | Architectural Design: Urban | 6 |
| 骋顿听400 | Advanced Graphic Design Studio | 6 |
| 骋顿听490 | Graphic Design International Studio | 6 |
| 滨顿听401 | Advanced Industrial Design Studio I | 6 |
| 滨顿听490 | Industrial Design International Studio | 6 |
| 尝础搁听200 | Landscape Architecture Introductory Studio | 6 |
| 尝础搁听400 | Landscape Architecture Studio | 6 |
Mathematical Sciences Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 骋颁听320 | 3D Spatial Relations | 3 |
| 贬翱狈听291 | Honors Special Topics-Mathematics | 3 |
| 尝翱骋听201 | Logic | 3 |
| 尝翱骋听335 | Symbolic Logic | 3 |
| 惭础听335 | Symbolic Logic | 3 |
| 笔贬滨听250 | Thinking Logically | 3 |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| 顿听100 | Design Inquiry I: Methods and Processes | 3 |
| 顿听104 | First Year Studio I | 6 |
| 贰狈骋听101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 |
| Mathematical Sciences Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 16 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| 骋顿听203 | History of Graphic Design | 3 |
| 骋顿听210 | Image and Tech Tinkering | 6 |
| Mathematical Sciences Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 听 | Hours | 16 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| 骋顿听201 | Design, Context, and Experience | 6 |
| 骋顿听217 | Typography and Technology | 3 |
| 骋顿听303 | Graphic Design Theory and Practice | 3 |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| 骋顿听202 | Designing for Settings, People, and Use | 6 |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| 骋顿听317 | Typographic Language, Writing, and Reading | 3 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| 骋顿听301 | Branding, Interaction, and Service Design | 6 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 骋顿听417 | Information and Publishing Design Systems | 3 |
| GEP Natural Sciences | 4 | |
| 听 | Hours | 14 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| 骋顿听400 | Advanced Graphic Design Studio | 6 |
| Design History Elective | 3 | |
| Design Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Natural Sciences | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Advanced Studio Electives | 6 | |
| 骋顿听401 | Graphic Design Practicum | 3 |
| Design Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Advanced Studio Electives | 6 | |
| Free Electives | 8 | |
| 听 | Hours | 14 |
| 听 | Total Hours | 120 |
- *
Spring Semester of Junior Year or Fall Semester of Senior Year coursework may be taken at the Prague Institute or other approved international program to fulfill the department鈥檚 International Experience Requirement (observing a six credit minimum workload). Summer coursework in industrial design or other College of Design major (observing a rising Junior or above standing in home major) may also fulfill the International Experience Requirement (also observing a six credit minimum workload).
Career Opportunities
Career Titles
- Advertising Account Manager
- Advertising Agency Coordinator
- Art Appraiser
- Art Director
- Art Restorer
- Art, Drama, & Music Professors
- Cartoonist (Publications)
- Commercial Designer
- Exhibit Artist
- Graphic Designer
- Industrial Designer
- Multimedia Artists and Animators
- Package Designer
- Printer (Graphic Arts)
- Sales Representative (Graphic Arts)
- Sales Representative (Printed Advertising)
- Toy Designer
- Video Game Designer
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