Graphic design is, at its core, about visual communication—the ability to deliver a message to a specific audience because of its appearance. To achieve this goal, graphic designers are not only creative and curious, but they also understand how art, marketing, psychology, sociology, and technology work together to create designs that communicate.

At Lakeland, graphic design students learn how to be effective visual communicators while also letting their creativity flow and flourish. They experience the design process through hands-on projects, and learn how to identify and define design problems, be creative and innovative, brainstorm and analyze design solutions, use industry-standard design software, critique and refine their work, and prepare final design concepts for print or digital publication. The courses at Lakeland build off each other, progressing from introductory skill-building courses to advanced study and application of design theory.

Upper-level graphic design students are eligible for a number of internship opportunities in which they can build upon the skills learned in the classroom. The capstone course, GDN 401 - Graphic Design Practicum , provides students an opportunity to put everything they’ve learned into practice by partnering with a local non-profit organization to work on a real-world graphic design project. 

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 390 - Cooperative Education Experience–Graphic Design (1-12 semester hours)
• GDN 400 - Internship in Graphic Design (1-3 semester hours)
• GDN 401 - Graphic Design Practicum