Minor Available
125 credits
125 credits
required for program
Minor Available
Department of Art & Design
Graphic Design
Department of Art & Design
Graphic Design
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Arts
- Undergraduate
Discover principles of visual communication and creative design.
Graphic design may be the right degree for you if you
- have a flair for creativity
- enjoy working with technology
- enjoy a fast-paced and competitive industry
Why study graphic design at Northwestern?
The graphic design program provides the techniques, technology, and critical-thinking strategies to create everything from magazine layouts, logos, websites, and print and digital media. You will learn fundamental technical and conceptual design from our industry-experienced faculty.
Our small classes enable caring faculty to provide one on one attention so you can grow in your faith as well as your design skills. Northwestern partners with other Christian colleges every year for students to showcase their professional design portfolios in a final capstone project.
We have facilities available for you to explore your creative side. Our school features a design lab equipped with updated software including:
- Autodesk Maya
- Mudbox
- Motionbuilder
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Flash
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Premiere
- Adobe Photoshop
Northwestern’s beautiful campus is only 15 minutes away from major art and design centers. Students can visit Walker Art Center, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the Swedish Institute.
What will I learn?
You will learn to communicate ideas visually and develop an eye for detail.
Northwestern has shown me how to relate to the world in a Christ-like manner. The college helped me find a way to incorporate my faith and beliefs in everything I do: graphic design, art, relationships, etc. My design professor has been like a mentor to me. His passion for helping students express their creativity while praising God has been a source of inspiration.
What can I do with a major in Graphic Design?
There are a variety of career and academic pathways that begin with a degree in graphic design.
What types of work are related to this degree?
- Graphic design
- Package design
- Layout design
- Web layout design
- Logo/brand design
- Advertising design
- Book/page/cover design
- Illustration
- Pre-press and printing
- Sign/promotional display design
- Computer or video game graphics design
- Motion graphics design
- Interactive media designer
- Internal and external corporate communications
Who employs people with this degree?
- Retail companies
- Ad agencies
- Print publications of all kinds
- Advertising agencies
- Design/web design firms
- Publishing houses
- Business form companies
- Publicity firms
- Large retail stores
- Nonprofit organizations
- Government agencies
- Museums
- Colleges, universities, school districts
- Manufacturing firms
- Promotional products companies
97%
of seniors feel faculty set high, clearly stated expectations
93%
of graduates said their education professionals prepared them for their work
92%
of internship supervisors said students were able to visualize, create, and manipulate a variety of artwork, including photography and illustration
Preparing for a Career
College graduation rates continue to increase each year making competition for jobs even greater. Set yourself apart from the crowd with the following strategies for getting started, networking, and gaining experience.
Strategies for success:
- Join professional associations as a student member.
- Become knowledgeable in production and printing processes.
- Develop broad software application skills in Mac and PC based programs but not at the cost of developing a solid background in design.
- Be prepared to start entry-level and work your way up the career ladder. Take a first job based on the industry and type of design you desire to work with, because work from your first job will comprise your professional portfolio.
- Approximately 3 in 10 graphic designers are self-employed. Freelance designers must develop strong abilities in networking, sales and persuasion.
- Subscribe to and read graphic design materials such as Print, Eye, Communication Arts, Step into Graphics, Computer Graphics and Applications, and others relevant to your interests.
- Start a portfolio of work samples in your freshman year, and add to it all 4 years of your education.
Discover the Department of Art & Design
Professors at Northwestern are focused on their students first. Our faculty include experts in their respective fields who want to help you grow in your faith while you earn your degree.
Meet the staff Explore the department