Academy of Art University

Master of Arts (MA) in Graphic Design

Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Critical & Creative Thinking

• Conduct appropriate research to identify problems and potential solutions
• Demonstrate the resourcefulness and flexibility necessary to conceive and execute design solutions

Conceptual Skills

• Create compelling and engaging visual communications that convey appropriate messages and ideas
• Address problems through a design process
• Create visual communications demonstrating competent formal design skills which include: hierarchy, typography, aesthetics, composition and construction of meaningful images
• Demonstrate competence in media, materials, tools, technology, and techniques

Professional Readiness

• Effectively present and communicate ideas
• Demonstrate the skills necessary for chosen career path through the presentation of a cohesive body of work

Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:

• Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
• Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
• Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
• Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
• Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
• Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
• Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.

Academy of Art University is recognized for graduating students ready to pursue a professional graphic design career. The School of Graphic Design is proud to produce alumni who are thriving at leading design firms, marketing agencies, and innovative companies. Our students are not only prepared to enter the workforce—they are ready to excel and raise the bar within the vibrant design community.

Graphic Designer

Graphic designers work within companies and institutions of all kinds, as well as in advertising and design studios, large and small. Graphic designers work on a wide range of projects which includes branding, editorial, interactive, environmental, advertising, and information design. Although the designer’s role will vary by organization it will always be tasked with producing creative, effective, and elegant graphic solutions, both print and digital.

Creative/Art Director

As a creative director, you'll work with copywriters, designers, and creative directors to produce creative solutions which meet branding objectives, while setting a high bar for creativity within your organization. You'll be responsible for setting and presenting high-level vision for projects and managing teams to achieve brand and client success.

User Experience (UX) Designer

UX designers work with product designers and visual designers as well as front-end developers, and clients to create interactive experiences that resonate with users. They document and present UX ideas and solutions to team members and clients. UX designers utilize research methods and user testing to architect the structure and navigation flow of digital products such as apps and websites and other interactive experiences.

Visual Designer

Visual designers apply their technical knowledge and design skills to create interactive products of all kinds. By integrating type, layout, color and iconography visual designers influence the users emotions and drive action through the use of motion, language and aesthetics. Visual designers work in teams with UX designers and front-end developers to create smooth usability and functionality while creating design systems that ensure a consistency of brand experience.

Product Designer

Product designers use UX design tools and methods along with type, color, layout and motion, design and iconography systems to create interactive experiences that resonate with users. Product designers integrate and cross between the role of UX and Visual designer depending on their role in an organization. They work with front-end developers and are responsible for all (or part) of the usability, functionality and visual design of a digital product such as an app, website or social media platform.

Service Designer

Service designers work within and for a range of organizations including governments and multinational companies. Service designers build efficiency and translate brand values through to the user experience for many kinds of products and organizations. Using tools and methods from ethnography, information management and interaction design Service designers analyze, map and re-organize systems which they then document and present to stakeholders and clients.

Unit Requirements

Degree Requirements

• Successful completion of Final Portfolio Review
• A minimum grade of C in all required 36 units
• Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirements:
  • 1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic course

Curriculum

Semester 1

• GLA 615: History of Graphic Design (Graduate Liberal Arts)
• GR 616: Making Ideas Visible (Major)
• GR 617: Type Forms (Major)

Semester 2

• GR 618: Visual Literacy (Major)
• GR 619: Type Composition (Major)
• IXD 606: User Experience Design (Major)

Semester 3

• GR 601: Type Systems (Major)
• GR 605: Digital Design Studio 1 (Major)
• GR 620: Visual Thinking (Major)

Semester 4

• GR 604: The Nature of Identity (Major)
• GR 613: Type Experiments (Major)
• GR 700: MA Portfolio Seminar (Major)