The graphic design major provides opportunities for those looking towards a career in art and design with a broad-based, liberal arts foundation. Beginning with the principle that knowledge is the source of creativity, students are encouraged to not only become capable designers, but also educated adults and lifelong learners. Students will become familiar with the professional practices of the design industry and their place in the larger historical and theoretical context of creative endeavor, leading ultimately to a vocation that is both personally satisfying and a valuable service to others.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graphic design program seeks to produce graduates who are able to demonstrate:
- proficiency with an appropriate variety of media and technologies,
- familiarity with the ethical, practical, theoretical, and historical underpinnings of their chosen field of study,
- the ability to approach visual communication challenges with creativity and insight, producing work that is consistently original and meaningful,
- effective and professional written, verbal, and visual communication skills, and
- the ability to work effectively with others.
Student Stories
Justine Bennett (’18)
Justine Bennett, Graphic Designer with Minuteman Press What you do: I work with a variety of customers updating and creating
Entry into the Major
Each student is required to formally apply for entry into the graphic design major. This typically takes place in the spring of the sophomore year. At this time it is imperative that all prospective graphic design students have an advisor from the Graphic Design, Studio Art, or Media Arts departments. A major application form may be obtained from your faculty advisor or downloaded from the graphic design section of the college website. In order to gain admittance to, and graduate with, the graphic design major, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in all studio courses and an overall GPA of 2.0.
Junior Review
At the end of the junior year, faculty advisors will examine all student transcripts to ensure adequate progress is being made toward degree completion.
Requirements
Foundations (10 cr.):
- ARTS102 2D Foundations 3 cr.
- ARTS290 Professional Practices Seminar 1 cr.
- GRDS230 Graphic Design I:Tools, Methodology, and Vocabulary 3 cr.
- MART297 Audio/Video Production or MART113 Photography I 3 cr.
Studio (18 cr.):
- ARTS312 Digital Illustration/Concept Art I 3 cr.
- GRDS330 Graphic Design II: Graphic DesignStudio 3 cr.
- GRDS332 Graphic Design III: Introductionto Web and UX Design 3 cr.
- GRDS336 Graphic Design IV: Design forMultimedia 3 cr.
- MART330 Motion Graphics Design 3 cr.
- MART435 Digital 3D Design and Animation 3 cr.
Historical Perspective (9 cr.):
- ARTS105 Art History I Prehistory to the Gothic Period 3 cr. OR ARTS106 Art History II Renaissance to Realism 3 cr.
- ARTS107 Art History III Modernism 3 cr.
- COMM240 Introduction to Mass Media 3 cr.
Theoretical and Critical Analysis
Internship (3 cr.)
Capstone / Senior Project (4 cr.)
- GRDS494 Graphic Design Senior Project/Capstone – Part One 2 cr.
- GRDS495 Graphic Design Senior Exhibition 2 cr.
Recommended Electives
- ARTS110 Drawing 3 cr.
- BUSN101 Introduction to Business 3 cr.
- BUSN330 Principles of Marketing 3 cr.
- COMS103 Intro to Programming I 3 cr.
- COMM325 Processes of Criticism 3 cr.
- COMM360 Visual Communication 3 cr.
- COMM475 Media Ecology 3 cr.
- ENGL312 Reading as Writers Across Media 3 cr.
- MART290 Introduction to Animation 3 cr.
The minor in graphic design requires:
- ARTS102 2D Foundations 3 cr.
- ARTS290 Professional Practices Seminar 1 cr.
- COMM240 Introduction to Mass Media 3 cr.
- GRDS230 Graphic Design I:Tools, Methodology, and Vocabulary 3 cr.
- GRDS330 Graphic Design II: Graphic DesignStudio 3 cr.
- GRDS332 Graphic Design III: Introductionto Web and UX Design 3 cr.
- GRDS336 Graphic Design IV: Design forMultimedia 3 cr.
- MART330 Motion Graphics Design 3 cr.
To view the most recent course list and requirements for the graphic design major, please consult the Academic Catalog.
Contact for more information
Graphic Design Faculty
For more information, see our Graphic Design Department.
Andy OvernProfessor
YFAC 207
507-344-7398
- Drawing
- Life Drawing I
- Professional Practices Seminar
- Life Drawing II
- Digital Illustration/Concept Art I
- Digital Illustration/Concept Art II
- Portfolio/Senior Project
- Senior Exhibition
- Graphic Design I:Tools, Methodology, and Vocabulary
- Graphic Design II: Graphic DesignStudio
- Graphic Design III: Introductionto Web and UX Design
- Graphic Design Internship
- Advanced Audio/Video Production
- Media Arts Internship
Next Steps
Interested in studying at Bethany? Scheduling a campus visit is a great way to see what we have to offer. You can meet professors or sit in on a class too! Contact our admissions office to learn more.