Graphic design is, at its core, about visual communication—the ability to effectively deliver a message that, through design, targets a specific audience on behalf of a client or company. To do so, designers are not only creative, but they also understand how art, marketing, psychology, culture, and technology play a role in arriving at a successful design solution.

At Lakeland, graphic design students learn how to be effective visual communicators while also letting their creativity flow and flourish. They experience the iterative design process through hands-on, project-based assignments: identifying and researching design problems, brainstorming and analyzing design concepts, learning and using industry-standard software, critiquing their work and the work of their peers, strengthening solutions through revision, and preparing final designs for print or digital publication. The courses at Lakeland build off each other, progressing from introductory skills-building courses to advanced, in-depth study of design theory and refining skills for both print and digital applications.

As an upper-level graphic design student, there are an abundance of internship opportunities available to supplement and build upon the skills learned in the classroom. In addition, the capstone course, Graphic Design Practicum, provides students an opportunity to put everything they’ve learned into practice by completing a real-world graphic design project for a local non-profit organization.

Students who have successfully completed a B.A. in Graphic Design from Lakeland University should be able to:

• Competently operate industry-standard design software, devices, and tools.
• Skillfully compose the elements of art and principles of design into successful and effective design solutions.
• Conceptualize and design creative and unique design solutions.
• Judge how effectively a design solution satisfies the parameters of a design problem.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively through visual, verbal, and written means.
• Present design work in a professional manner.
• Practice good working habits, including attention to detail, the disciplined use of time, being thorough, and meeting deadlines.

Programs

• Graphic Design, B.A.

• Graphic Design Minor

Courses

• GDN 101 - Graphic Design I - Digital Illustration
• GDN 102 - Graphic Design II - Image Editing
• GDN 203 - Graphic Design III - Page Layout
• GDN 204 - Motion Graphics
• GDN 265 - History of Graphic Design
• GDN 302 - Print Production
• GDN 303 - Web & App Design
• GDN 304 - Graphic Design IV - Brand Identity
• GDN 305 - Advanced Digital Illustration
• GDN 306 - Advanced Image Editing
• GDN 307 - Advanced Page Layout
• GDN 315 - Typography
• GDN 400 - Internship in Graphic Design (1-3 semester hours)
• GDN 401 - Graphic Design Practicum