Graphic Design, BSD
Transform your creativity into a career designing visual experiences that inform, inspire and make a meaningful impact. This program helps you channel imagination into thoughtful work that connects with real audiences and shapes how people see the world.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Any math course that meets the MATH designation.
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Graphic Design, BSD degree description
The graphic design program in The Design School 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 and educators constantly reinforce the link between society and nature, and they vigorously advocate quality in developing communication strategies.
The Bachelor of Science in Design curriculum acknowledges the need for creative environments that address ecological concerns. You are encouraged to develop sustainable, transdisciplinary work sensitive to cultural aesthetic. You develop a strong foundation of design principles through lower-division studio and lecture courses, using this to build an overall understanding of how design can shape perception and meaning using visual media. Upper-division studio courses provide opportunities for you 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 the multiple contemporary facets of sensorial design.
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, and 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.
Why study graphic design at ASU?
Housed within The Design School, this program surrounds you with an interdisciplinary education that invites you to collaborate with peers in architecture, industrial design, interior design and landscape architecture, mirroring the way creative industries actually work today.
You assemble a professional portfolio through studio-based coursework, hands-on projects and mentorship from practicing designers and faculty, leaving with the creative, technical and strategic abilities the evolving design profession demands.
Additional details
Beyond the classroom, you join an active creative community shaped by studio culture, exhibitions, guest lectures, workshops and student organizations.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| GRA 101 Designing Life |
| GRA 111 Graphic Design History I |
| GRA 112 Graphic Design History II |
| GRA 121 Principles for Graphic Design I |
| GRA 122 Principles for Graphic Design II |
| GRA 220 Design Drawing I |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Develop design fundamentals in the context of diverse visual settings, demonstrating familiarity with their understanding of their core principles.
- Critically adapt their designs and methodology to convey clear messages to broad audiences.
- Address creative environments that respond to ecological concerns, sensitive to cultural aesthetics, sustainability, and social issues through skills for reading, analyzing, and discussing interactions between designers and society.
Develop design fundamentals in the context of diverse visual settings, demonstrating familiarity with their understanding of their core principles.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
An ASU student who would like to change majors into this program and would be new to this major must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and understand their GPA must be brought up to a 3.00 or above within one semester to remain in good standing. An ASU student who is returning to this major (having previously studied this major in a prior semester) must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Study abroad provides graphic design students with a chance to explore their creative side through an intercultural lens, challenging them to think differently as an artist and to explore different ways of communicating information visually across cultures as they build communication skills.
With more than 300 options available, whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, Global Education programs give students a breadth of knowledge in arts and culture. Students can gain a global perspective and knowledge while earning ASU credit. Students learn to adapt and persevere and to look inside themselves in a way they haven't done before, growing their self-confidence along the way.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animator | -0.3% | $102,030 | Learn more |
| Art Director | 4.2% | $114,850 | Learn more |
| Art Professor | 2.2% | $78,620 | Learn more |
| Graphic Artist | -14.5% | $55,290 | Learn more |
| Graphic Designer | -1.7% | $62,960 | Learn more |
| Industrial Designer | 2.4% | $83,910 | Learn more |
| Library Media Specialist | 2.6% | $68,270 | Learn more |
| Printing Press Technician | -15.3% | $48,690 | Learn more |
| TV/Movie Set Designer | 1.4% | $75,240 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this graphic design degree prepares you for
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 design (TV graphics)
- information 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
- motion graphics
- multimedia presentations
- publications
- websites
Graduates may also pursue graduate studies that lead to careers in design education and other fields of professional endeavors in design.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
The Design School
|
CDS 101
herbergeradmissions@asu.edu
480-965-4495
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
