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 and digital purposes. The courses at Lakeland build off each other, progressing from introductory skill-building courses to advanced study and application of design theory.

There are an abundance of internship and cooperative education opportunities available for upper-level students in the major, to build upon the skills learned in the classroom. Students are encouraged to practice graphic design in real-world settings, and to showcase their work by either presenting their experiences at Lakeland’s Undergraduate Research & Scholarship Symposium or exhibiting their work in the Bradley Art Gallery on campus.

Programs

• Graphic Design, B.A.

• Graphic Design Minor

• Four-Year Plan: Graphic Design