Graphic Design

About the Program

Our graphic design program strongly emphasizes tomorrow's professional environment. Students prepare through challenging class projects, internships and participation in organizations like American Institute of Graphic Arts.

Our bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic design is a broad area professional degree that includes courses such as design foundations, color theory, typography, photography, illustration, printmaking, motion design and various course choices from the department of communication and Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration.

The four graphic design lab courses explore identity design, packaging, branding, motion design and conceptual exploration, as well as, mastery of the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite. Our computer lab allows students to experience the newest MacOS and Adobe software. Scanners, printers and a checkout system for SLR cameras are also provided.

Careers in Graphic Design

Graphic design encompasses a variety of career and employment opportunities. Branding, packaging design, environmental graphics, advertising, web design, design for the music industry, publication and editorial design are just a sampling of job possibilities available to graphic designers. Below are links with additional information concerning job outlook, interior design practice, income and career stages.

RETENTION, GRADUATION AND JOB PLACEMENT

Approximately 80 Graphic Design majors and minors.

Harding's Graphic Design program has the reputation of being one of the top programs in our region.

Our graduates work in design studios, advertising agencies, in-house design departments, interactive & web companies, church design teams and nonprofits.

Students have placed in the Dallas Society of Visual Communications Student Competition.

Harding has an active AIGA student group. To learn more about AIGA visit www.aiga.org.

Bureau of Labor Statistics facts on Graphic Designers.

Graphic Design major four-year schedule

We have a sample BFA schedule pdf available that can be of help as you are planning your semesters, though it is just a suggestion. You will most likely need to rearrange courses due to closed classes along the way.

HELPFUL TIPS

The Department of Art and Design's computer lab consists of Mac computers with the latest software and programs. The majority of design firms and ad agencies do their creative work on Apple computers.

We use current versions of Adobe Software (Creative Suite). There are discounts online that save students up to 80% off retail prices.

Another important tip to prepare students for a major in graphic design: buy a sketch book and sketch from life as much as you can. Drawing skills are invaluable in design. It will help you in developing creative concepts.

Academic advising is a crucial part of getting the most from your time as a graphic design major at Harding. Plan to schedule an appointment with one of the fine art advisors a minimum of two-weeks prior to registration week in both fall and spring semesters. Students must make sure to check for holds on their accounts that might delay registering for classes. Registering as early as each classification allows ensures that students get the best schedule. Classes fill up fast, so it is recommended that students register quickly.

Sophomore Portfolio Review is for art students who have completed (including current classes) 15 credit hours of art coursework. The review is intended to provide students with feedback on their artistic growth. Some things we will be assessing at the review include: drawing and compositional skills, students’ ability to speak about their work and their level of knowledge about current professional activity in their respective program areas.

Student-presenters are required to wear professional, interview-appropriate clothing and are to be prepared to answer questions about their art and design work, their professional goals and their creative influences.

Present 8-10 of your strongest projects. All students are to include examples of drawing skills. Sketchbooks may be presented in addition to your 8-10 projects. Preparatory sketches for several of your projects are also recommended.