Graphic Design Program
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Program Overview
西瓜视频's four-year bachelor’s degree program allows students to hone their design skills to be competitive in all aspects of the design industry - advertising, editorial design, brand, print and package design, website and app design, as well as developing skills in photography, illustration, motion design, and animation. Many students also minor in marketing, studio art, computer science or photography.
Students are prepared for the cutting edge of the industry through coursework and strong ties to area companies and professionals through our leading internship program. By keeping our hands on the pulse of the industry we are ensuring our graphic design program and students’ skills are totally up to date with industry demands.
We have incredible success in internships turning into full-time employment after graduation with companies such as IBM, Hasbro, PUMA, Tank Design agency, EBSCO, and more.
西瓜视频’s graphic design program was recently rated #1 in Massachusetts by Zippia, a career resource company, based upon career results, design emphasis, school performance graduation rate, and cost.
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Interested in learning more about this program? Request information today!
Shannon Veilleux
Thesis II - Music Poster
Awarded 2021 UCDA Design Awards Honorable Mention -
Curriculum
Curriculum Requirements - Total Credits Required: 127
First Year - Credits: 32
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ART 101聽-聽Visual Art and Cultural Values I: Prehistory to c. 1310 (Cr: 3)
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ART 102聽-聽Visual Art and Cultural Values II: Early Fourteenth Century to the Present (Cr: 3)
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ART 105聽-聽Drawing and Composition I (Cr: 3)
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ART 106聽-聽Drawing and Composition II (Cr: 3)
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ENG 111聽-聽Critical Reading and Writing I (Cr: 3)
Satisfies the Writing Designated Core requirement.
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ENG 112聽-聽Critical Reading and Writing II (Cr: 3)
Satisfies the Writing Designated Core requirement.
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GD 105聽-聽Introduction to Computer Graphics (Cr: 3)
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GD 120聽-聽Foundations of Graphic Design (Cr: 3)
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GD 126聽-聽Typography 1 (Cr: 3)
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INT 100聽-聽Internship I (Cr: 2)
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PHT 116聽-聽Introduction to Photographic Imaging (Cr: 3)
Second Year - Credits: 35
- Individual and Society General Education Requirement 聽 (Cr: 3)
- Quantitative Reasoning General Education Requirement聽聽聽 (Cr: 3) (Recommended CSC160/CSC160L)
- Science and Technology General Education Requirement聽 聽 (Cr: 3)聽(Recommended CSC101)
- Art Elective 聽(Cr: 3)
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ART 201聽-聽Painting I (Cr: 3)
or
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ART 250聽-聽Printmaking (Cr: 3)
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ART 205聽-聽Three-Dimensional Design (Cr: 3)
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ART 237聽-聽History of Graphic Design (Cr: 3)
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INT 200聽-聽Internship II (Cr: 2)
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GD 200聽-聽Sophomore Design Studio (Cr: 3)
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GD 226聽-聽Typography II (Cr: 3)
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GD 230聽-聽User Experience Design I (Cr: 3)
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GD 326聽-聽Typography III (Cr: 3)
Third Year - Credits: 30
- Global Issues General Education Requirement 聽 (Cr:聽3)
- Literary Perspectives General Education Requirement聽聽聽 (Cr: 3)
- World Cultures General Education Requirement 聽 (Cr: 3)
- Graphic Design Elective聽聽 (Cr: 3)
- General Education Elective聽聽 (Cr: 3)
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ART 302聽-聽Portfolio (Cr: 3)
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ART 303聽-聽Theory and Research in Visual Design (Cr: 3)
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GD 310聽-聽User Experience Design II (Cr: 3)
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GD 360聽-聽Junior Graphic Design Studio I (Cr: 3)
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GD 361聽-聽Junior Graphic Design Studio II (Cr: 3)
Fourth Year - Credits: 30
- Values and Ethical Reasoning General Education Requirement聽聽聽 (Cr: 3)
- Graphic Design or Photography Elective聽聽 (Cr: 3)
- General Education Electives聽聽聽 (Cr: 6)
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GD 480聽-聽Semester Internship (Cr: 12)
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GD 489聽-聽Senior Research (Cr: 3)
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GD 490聽-聽Senior Capstone (Cr: 3)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Requirements
Students take the following:聽
- DEI course attribute at any level
- DEI course attribute 200 level and above
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the graphic design program, students will:
- Demonstrate the critical inquiry and analysis skills needed to engage constructively in intellectual discourse within the art fields.
- Demonstrate knowledge of and competency with tools and technology, including their roles in the creation, reproduction and distribution of visual messages.聽
- Demonstrate a strong handling of perceptual skills in drawing.
- Experience the relationship of academic studio practices to professional applications.
- Discuss and write about the historical context for the visual arts.
- Communicate effectively in written form within the conventions of the discipline.
- Describe and respond to audiences and contexts, including recognition of physical, cognitive, cultural and social human factors that shape design decisions.
- Create and develop a meaningful visual form using the principles of visual organization/composition, information hierarchy, and aesthetics.
- Demonstrate an understanding of design history, theory, and criticism from a variety of perspectives.
- Clearly and concisely articulate design concepts, solutions and rationale.
- Demonstrate willingness to go beyond original parameters of assignment, introducing new materials and forms, including tackling controversial topics.
- Integrate creativity and vision in pursuing thought-provoking visual design concepts using typography, symbolic representation, and color.
- Deconstruct concepts, applying and carrying them out in a sophisticated and unique visual solution.
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ART 101聽-聽Visual Art and Cultural Values I: Prehistory to c. 1310 (Cr: 3)
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Internships and Careers
Recent Internships
- IBM User-Centered Design Lab
- MIT Media Lab
- Hasbro
- Marie Claire Magazine
- GAP Promotions
- PEM
- Tank Design
- EBSCO
- Soldier Design
- PUMA
Alumni Employment
- EBSCO
- Hasbro
- IBM User-Centered Design Lab
- Tank Design
Student Work
Computer Requirements for Graphic Design Students
The School of Visual and Performing Arts requires that graphic design students use Apple laptop computers. Specifications are available from the school. They are also available in Academic Technology鈥檚聽Student Computer Guide to Hardware/Software Recommendations.
Academic News
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