B.A. in Graphic Design
Plymouth, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 31,900 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* rolling up to 1 week before term start allow for visa processing time
Key Summary
About: Lakeland University's B.A. in Graphic Design trains visual communicators combining creativity with commercial skills. Courses cover elements of art, principles of design, brainstorming, critique, and Adobe Creative Cloud. Upper-level practical projects and a senior capstone involve real-world print and digital work with local nonprofits. The Cooperative Education programme offers 12–18 months of credited work experience and scholarships plus wages to reduce debt.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter advertising, marketing, branding, publishing, digital media, freelance. They'll become graphic designers, art directors, brand or UX/UI designers, production artists, digital creators, or creative entrepreneurs, applying visual communication, audience research, typography, and software skills.
Visual Communicators
Students who pursue a degree in Graphic Design will become effective visual communicators as their creativity flows and flourishes.
Encourage Artistic Creativity: Create Effective Design
In addition to encouraging artistic creativity, the Graphic Design program at Lakeland is commercially focused. This means students hone skills that professional graphic designers use daily. Students learn to understand client goals and target audiences, and then create effective design solutions.
Elements of Art and Principles of Design
Turn Your Ideas Into Reality
The courses in the Graphic Design program at Lakeland University are designed to build upon each other. At the introductory level, students establish a solid design foundation by learning the elements of art and the principles of design. They develop skills in brainstorming and idea generation, analyzing and critiquing concepts, and refining them to enhance their strength. Students practice transforming their ideas into reality using industry-standard Adobe Creative Cloud software.
Real-World Design Problems
Create Design Solutions
Upper-level courses delve into real-world design problems for both print and digital applications, allowing students to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills creatively. In these courses, students learn to identify their target audience and craft design solutions that effectively convey the intended message.
For traditional students on Lakeland's main campus, Graphic Design majors participate in a senior capstone course that includes a service-learning project. This project involves students collaborating with local nonprofit organizations to complete a design project in a real-world setting. Following this experience, students reflect on their learning and present their insights and outcomes.
Experiential Education
Real-World Experience
Graphic Design students enrolled in Lakeland's traditional program on the main campus have the ability to gain 12-18 months of full-time work experience and academic credit for their work through our Cooperative Education program. A combination of scholarships and wages will help significantly reduce or eliminate post-graduation debt.
Major Requirements (51-65 semester hours)
- ART 101 - Drawing I
- ART 151 - Two-Dimensional Design
- ART 242 - Color Theory
- ART 339 - Portfolio Preparation (WI)
- GDN 101 - Graphic Design I–Digital Illustration
- GDN 102 - Graphic Design II–Image Editing
- GDN 203 - Graphic Design III–Page Layout
- GDN 265 - History of Graphic Design
- GDN 304 - Graphic Design IV–Brand Identity
- GDN 315 - Typography
- GDN 401 - Graphic Design Practicum
Students must choose one of the following tracks:
Traditional Track
Eighteen (18) semester hours from the following:
- ART 251 - Digital Photography I
- ART 352 - Digital Photography II
- GDN 204 - Motion Graphics
- GDN 280 - Special Topics in Graphic Design
- GDN 302 - Print Production
- GDN 303 - Web & App Design
- GDN 305 - Advanced Digital Illustration
- GDN 306 - Advanced Image Editing
- GDN 307 - Advanced Page Layout
- GDN 400 - Internship in Graphic Design (1-6 semester hours)
- Student may earn a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours toward this requirement.
- GDN 480 - Special Topics in Graphic Design
- GDN 490 - Independent Research in Graphic Design (1-3 semester hours)
- Student may earn a maximum of six (6) semester hours toward this requirement.
- MKT 350 - Marketing Principles
- WRT 211 - The Mirror: Photojournalism (0-1 semester hour)
Cooperative Education Track
At least twenty-three (23) semester hours from the following:
- EXP 100 - Professional Protocol (1 semester hour)
- EXP 300 - Experiential Learning Seminar (1 semester hour)
- Co-requisite with 1st experience of EXP/GDN 390 or EXP/GDN 391
- EXP 301 - Work, Ethics, and the Good Life (1 semester hour)
- Co-requisite with 2nd experience of EXP/GDN 390 or EXP/GDN 391
- EXP 390 - Cooperative Education Experience (1-12 semester hours) OR GDN 390 - Cooperative Education Experience–Graphic Design (1-12 semester hours)
- Is completed at least two times, for a total of 20-24 semester hours
- At least one experience must be in GDN 390
- EXP 391 - Cooperative Education Experience (0 semester hours) OR GDN 391 - Cooperative Education Experience–Graphic Design (0 semester hours)
- Is completed as needed during the summer semester
Nine (9) semester hours from the following:
- ART 251 - Digital Photography I
- ART 352 - Digital Photography II
- GDN 204 - Motion Graphics
- GDN 280 - Special Topics in Graphic Design
- GDN 302 - Print Production
- GDN 303 - Web & App Design
- GDN 305 - Advanced Digital Illustration
- GDN 306 - Advanced Image Editing
- GDN 307 - Advanced Page Layout
- GDN 480 - Special Topics in Graphic Design
- GDN 490 - Independent Research in Graphic Design (1-3 semester hours)
- Student may earn a maximum of six (6) semester hours toward this requirement.
- MKT 350 - Marketing Principles
- WRT 211 - The Mirror: Photojournalism (0-1 semester hour)
- Student may earn a maximum of three (3) semester hours toward this requirement.
- Students may not enroll in multiple sections of this course in the same semester.
Students who have successfully completed a B.A. in Graphic Design from Lakeland University should be able to:
- Identify and define the parameters of a design problem.
- Conceptualize a broad range of creative and unique design solutions.
- Judge how effectively a design solution satisfies the parameters of a design problem.
- Competently use the elements and principles of design to compose strong design solutions.
- Competently operate industry-standard design software, devices, and tools.
- Communicate effectively and professionally through visual, verbal, and written means.
- Practice good working habits, including time management, project management, and file management.
- Identify key characteristics of major art and design movements throughout history.
Traditional Undergraduate Scholarships
Lakeland is committed to providing exceptional value at a manageable cost. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships to help make the cost of your education more affordable.
We also encourage all students applying for scholarships to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
After gaining acceptance to Lakeland, you may begin applying for scholarships through your Future Muskie Portal. You will use the login information you created when you first applied to Lakeland to access the portal site. Each scholarship opportunity will be listed as a "Form" on your checklist.
If you have any questions or would like additional scholarship information, please contact your admissions counselor or the financial aid office!
Students who graduate with a degree in Graphic Design are well-rounded in all areas of study and are prepared to pursue successful careers in a variety of industries including:
- Advertising
- Marketing
- Branding
- Printing and Publishing
- Digital Media
- Interactive Media
- Freelance