Bachelor of Fine Arts - Graphic Design - Marketing

Students in University of Minnesota Duluth's (UMD) B.F.A. in Graphic Design do more than learn how to manipulate type and image. They explore communication, human psychology, and aesthetics in advanced techniques ranging from print to web within commercial, artistic, and academic contexts.

Graphic Design students choose one of these two emphases: a Studio emphasis with upper-level coursework that strengthens their fine art sensibilities in addition to design skills; or a Marketing emphasis that includes an array of business courses that prepare designers to identify, measure, and address consumer needs as part of a creative team.

• The deliberate merging of Art and Design in one department stimulates and provokes students as independent thinkers and creators who explore various media and methods
  
• UMD has nine faculty specifically in the graphic design area who continue to create, exhibit, and publish research regularly, in addition to teaching and providing mentorship and career guidance
• UMD Art and Design is accredited by NASAD, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design
• Students have a strong connection with AIGA, the worldwide professional association for design

Acquired Skills

Mentored by dedicated faculty who are active in the field, students learn multiple platforms and employ industry-standard software to its highest efficiency. UMD's creative problem solvers are challenged to critically investigate design in terms of cultural relevance, effectiveness, ethics and ecological sustainability. Exploring design topics from Typography and Brand Identity to Motion Graphics and Interactive Design, students in the Graphic Design program learn to solve visual communication problems.

This program is distinctive in that it also includes studio coursework. Many contemporary designers in the field tap their skillsets in media such as drawing, photography, video and 3-D studies to create dynamic design. Additional upper-level design courses in the major enable students to graduate with an impressive professional portfolio and solid interview training aimed to launch a successful career and stay active in the future of design.

Career Possibilities

Graphic designers combine art and technology to communicate ideas, using computer software or by hand, to inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. Working independently or in a larger firm, graphic designers collaborate with clients to develop overall design for logos, branding, advertising, packaging, and clear communication of information. Graphic designers may also work as art directors, marketing directors, multimedia artists, web developers, user experience designers, animators, professors and more.