Andrews University is well known for its great variety of programs, such as Aviation, History, and Architecture, which only seem to add on to the diversity that the university prides itself in. Among these, Andrews proudly presents various programs that are beautifully intertwined with the arts. One such amazing program offered in undergraduate studies is Graphic Design.
First off, what exactly is Graphic Design? According to the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), Graphic Design is defined as “the art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content.” The field’s goal is to communicate ideas and messages in visual ways, such as business logos or website layouts. Graphic Design is used a lot by companies for advertisement, by websites to relay complicated information in a simpler way, and by businesses to develop branding and such. Basically, whatever your eye settles on that has to do with the corporate world has been touched by Graphic Design in one way or another, whether it be a book or a magazine advertisement.
What career options does studying Graphic Design lead to? In a paragraph on the program on the Andrews University Website, the school states, “Designers are needed in all kinds of settings. With our degree, you can work for magazines, newspapers, nonprofits, small and large corporations. You can even be your own boss as a freelance designer. Other jobs include corporate identity specialist, communications coordinator, greeting card designer, visual interface designer and more.” The average salary for a Graphic Designer is around $53,000 a year, a Web Developer usually averages $77,000, and an Art Director earns around $97,000. Graphic Design is one of the areas which is estimated to grow by 23% until 2031, as the world relies more and more on aesthetics in the digital world.
What would I study in an Undergraduate Graphic Design Program? There are three possible ways to study Graphic Design in an Undergraduate program, which can be found in detail here. The first is a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts). This program focuses on and combines “the study of art, communication, design, web development and technology as mediums for visual communication and/or personal artistic expression.” The major mixes in Art History classes with Photography, Filmmaking, Drawing, as well as Media Ethics among many other fascinating subjects. The second option is Graphic Design as a BS (Bachelor of Science). This program “allows students to supplement their design education with business, marketing, and communication classes that will give them a more entrepreneurial background. The program requires students to self-brand themselves and create a personal brand, estimate and quote materials, acquire business and marketing knowledge, develop a portfolio, create invoice and quote sheets, learn how to price themselves in the market and how to interact with clients.” This major basically encourages students to mix in Graphic Design with business and marketing to provide a more entrepreneurial take on the major. The classes required include courses on Filmmaking, Editorial Design, and Business Management, among others. The third and final option is the Graphic Design Minor. It includes 7 classes for a total of 21 credits, including Introduction to Digital Media (ART 130), History of Graphic Design (ARTH 345), and Typography (DSGN 310).
How is the Graphic Design Experience at Andrews University? The best person to talk to you about their experience in the program is a student themself. I decided to speak with Skyler Campbell (junior, graphic design) on her experience within the program. “My experience with graphic design has been great overall,” she says. She continues to describe how the major allows her to learn a lot about the field of Graphic Design without feeling overwhelmed. “I think my favorite class so far has been Basic Design (ART 207) because I got to explore different styles and get comfortable with my work.” She closes with expressing her desire to work in editorial design, “like working with magazines or possibly branding.”
I hope that you enjoyed getting a chance to peek into this wonderful program and that your horizons have been broadened. It truly is wonderful to see how much the arts influence our daily lives, from book covers to website layouts!
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.