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The program is committed to excellence in traditional and contemporary graphic design education, professionalism, research, and service for the community at large. Faculty, alumni, students, and visiting designers/educators constantly reinforce the link between society and nature and vigorously advocate "quality" in developing communication strategies.
The curriculum acknowledges the need for creative environments that address ecological concerns and encourages students to develop sustainable trans-disciplinary works sensitive to cultural aesthetic. The curriculum rests on a strong foundation [design principles] provided in lower-division studio and lecture courses. Upper-division studio courses provide opportunities for students to work in collaborative teams addressing professional projects in information design, interaction design, exhibition design, animation, motion graphics, branding, publication design, web design, interface design and multiple contemporary facets of sensorial design.
Feel free to explore asudesignshow.com a site maintained, monitored, and voiced by our alumni and members of the Graphic Design Senior Student Association. The Visual Communication Design faculty believes that the prime endorsement of the quality and continuing evolution of our program is sustained when voices are heard from an active, enthusiastic and professionally progressive body of alumni and students.
Graphic designers are responsible for designing how information is communicated. Forms of communication include print, video, film and electronic (web). Graphic designers are concerned with:
- appearance
- choosing the appropriate mechanism for communication
- clarity of information and its effectiveness
- how communication is transferred and received
The BSD program in graphic design places an emphasis on strategic communication developed through a design process that includes research, analysis, conceptualization, planning and realization. The process leads to innovative visual communication design solutions for contemporary design problems that are local to global in scope.
All students who are admitted to the major must pass a degree milestone at the end of the first year to continue in the major. For more information on the milestone process, students should visit https://design.asu.edu/resources/students/milestones.
This is an 8-semester graphic design program that requires sequential completion of studio coursework (or approved equivalent) at any point of entry.
Degree offered
Graphic Design (BSD)
Design & the Arts, Herberger Institute for
Location
Tempe
Major map
A major map outlines the degree’s requirements for graduation.
Application requirements
Apply to ASU to view the admission requirements and begin your application.
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.Freshman
Transfer
International
Readmission
Affording college
Scholarships
Find and apply for relevant scholarships.
Financial Aid
ASU has many financial aid options. Almost everyone, regardless
of income, can qualify for some form of financial aid. In fact,
more than 70 percent of all ASU students receive some form of
financial assistance every year.
Accreditation
The undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Visual Communication Design at Arizona State University have been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 2001.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design is composed of schools and individuals representing the highest traditions and aims in the education of the artist and designer. These members have proven, by the fact of their membership and activity in the organization, their deep interest in fostering high standards for art and design education.
For more information, please visit the NASAD website.
Milestone
Students in The Design School must successfully pass a degree milestone at the end of their freshman year to continue in the professional degree program. Applying to pass the degree milestone requirement is competitive and limited by available resources. Selection is awarded to those applicants demonstrating the highest promise for professional success.
More information about milestone.
Internships
Students majoring in Industrial Design, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture and Visual Communication Design are required to complete an internship program as part of their curriculum.
Learn more about internships.
Professional Organizations
Professional organizations serve as the public face for their respective professions, providing information to the general public about disciplinary practice and its role in improving the well-being of communities, promoting design excellence through the recognition of notable professional achievements, supporting the exchange of ideas and information about best practices between professional members through the development of conferences and through the support of opportunities for continuing education.
Learn more about professional organizations.
Student Organizations
Joining a discipline-specific student organization is a great way to help your long-term career plans and goals. Membership can add to your academic experience by building a portfolio, making important connections, networking and engaging with local and national professional communities.
Learn more about student organizations.
Career outlook
Based on a diversified portfolio upon graduation, those who opt for the graphic design profession gain employment in:
- advertising and marketing design
- brand and corporate identity design
- broadcast (TV graphics) design
- interaction and interface design
- museum or exhibition design
- publication design
- visual communication design
- web design
Specific examples of graphic designers' work include:
- annual reports
- books
- environmental graphics
- information design
- motion graphics
- multimedia presentations
- publications
- websites
Graduates of the program may also pursue graduate studies leading to careers in design education and other fields of professional endeavor in design.
Example careers
Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to:
| Career | *growth | *median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Art Directors | 5.4% | $92,500 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 12% | $66,930 |
| Audio-Visual and Multimedia Collections Specialists | 8.9% | $48,590 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 9.4% | $64,480 |
| Designers, All Other | 5.8% | $55,930 |
| Desktop Publishers | -14% | $42,350 |
| Graphic Designers | 4.2% | $48,700 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | 4.4% | $65,970 |
| Instructional Designers and Technologists | 10.5% | $63,750 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | -19.9% | $39,910 |
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
- Bright Outlook
- Green Occupation