The graphic design program offers a comprehensive curriculum in print and interactive media that prepares students for a variety of careers in the field. Graduates typically find employment in graphic design studios or advertising agencies in the region or Minneapolis/St. Paul. Students have the opportunity to develop portfolios that include a variety of print layout forms, identity design, packaging concepts, web design, and motion graphic pieces.
At the foundation of the training is a strong orientation to conceptual visual communication problem solving through a thorough study of and experimentation with type and image. Students explore visual solutions through a creative process that includes research and resource collection, concepts and “thumbnail” drawings, individual and class critiques, and the final versions usually produced using the computer.
There is a strong sense of community and cooperation among the students. Most join an active student chapter of the AIGA, the professional association for design. This organization facilitates freelance project opportunities, field trips to studios, agencies, and production shops, and sponsors other projects such as speakers and design symposia on campus.
