Online Bachelor of Science in Design in Graphic Design
Major in graphic design to explore ways you can solve problems and tell stories through visual communication. In this degree, you’ll learn essential design principles and master applying these skills to professional print and web design projects.
Quick facts
Next start date: 03/08/2021
Total classes: 26
Weeks per class: 7.5
Total credit hours: 120
Degree questions, answered.
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Details
The graphic design major teaches you how to be a responsible design steward while developing your visual communication skills. The graphic design major is focused on teaching you how to visually communicate rather than teaching software. You’ll learn visual literacy, critical thinking and storytelling skills that can be used in many design-related industries.
Lower-division courses focus on teaching design principles such as typography, layout and color. In these courses, you’ll complete theory-based projects using drawing and other hand-done techniques to create handbound booklets, small-bound books and presentation boards. In advanced courses, you’ll apply your knowledge of design principles to professional computer-based projects in publication design, motion graphics, web design, animation, interface design and more.
What is a graphic design major?
Graphic designers are responsible for visually designing how information is communicated. Design theories, principles and layout techniques are used to create visual designs that clearly communicate messages and enhance user experience.
In this online graphic design bachelor’s degree, you’ll learn these design theories and master how to apply them in your own professional design projects. As an ASU Online student, you’ll learn the same curriculum and earn the same degree as on-campus students.
Graphic design courses and curriculum
Courses in the graphic design major focus on the visual language of graphic design and visual communication. You’ll learn how to use these principles and the design thinking process to create creative and informative visual communications. The graphic design major requires a capstone course in your final year of study. For this project, you’ll conduct research and design a campaign around a social issue of your choice. You’ll present your work at a final exhibition near the end of your last semester.
GRA 101: Designing Life
GRA 111: Graphic Design History I (HU)
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
GRA 221: Letterform
GRA 222: Visual Communication I
What can I do with a graphic design degree?
The graphic design major will prepare you for a variety of design-related careers. The degree’s focus on design theories and principles means your skills can be applied both in traditional graphic design jobs and in design-related industries such as fashion, architecture and technology. Previous graduates of the graphic design program are now in design jobs at various agencies and organizations including Facebook, the Chicago Design Museum, Amazon and Target. Possible careers include but are not limited to:
Art Director
Art Professor
Audio-Visual Specialist
College/University Professor
Designer (General)
Graphic Artist
Graphic Designer
Industrial Designer
Instructional Designer
Major in graphic design with leaders in the industry
ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is home to world-class scholars, artists and designers who inspire students to shape the future. Our faculty’s research is grounded in the transformative power of art and its ability to change the world. Faculty research areas include:
- Arts and design for social justice.
- Arts, education and arts-integrated education.
- Arts, entrepreneurship and cultural policy.
- Community engagement and public policy.
- Creative health collaborations.
- Design, arts, science and engineering.
- The study of creative work.
Major in graphic design with leaders in the industry
ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is home to world-class scholars, artists and designers who inspire students to shape the future. Our faculty’s research is grounded in the transformative power of art and its ability to change the world. Faculty research areas include:
- Arts and design for social justice.
- Arts, education and arts-integrated education.
- Arts, entrepreneurship and cultural policy.
- Community engagement and public policy.
- Creative health collaborations.
- Design, arts, science and engineering.
- The study of creative work.
Admission requirements
freshman student
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain admission to ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if the Earned Admission Pathway is right for you.
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain admission to ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if the Earned Admission Pathway is right for you.
Join one of the best schools for design
ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts has a tradition of top-ranked undergraduate and graduate programs from a combination of disciplines. These range from the arts, media and engineering to film, dance and theatre. The institute trains artists and designers to leverage their creativity and problem solving to advance culture, build community and transform society.
5,300+
students.
400
internationally recognized faculty members.
125
programs in arts, media and engineering, design, film, dance and theatre, and music.
Top 20
among fine arts schools in the nation, ahead of Cornell University, Parsons School of Design and the University of California.
Tuition calculator
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