To be a graphic designer, you have to develop these strengths: your own visual style, conceptualizing skills, client-oriented problem solving, and technical skills like software and printing technology.
Avila's Graphic Design major prepares you for professional practice. 90+% of our graduates in the last 10 years have found employment in the design field.
Studio coursework in the Graphic Design major includes typography, conceptualization methodology; publication, logo and branding, and packaging design; and web and interactive design. Computer coursework includes industry-standard software for page layout, image development, photo manipulation and web and interactive development (Adobe Creative Suite, Macromedia Studio, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, and Director). You’ll also study traditional as well as digital photography.
In your senior year, you’ll prepare your portfolio, both in the traditional black book and digital formats. You’ll do a course of freelance work for on-campus and local clients. You’ll do a required professional internship. Our students intern with design and advertising agencies, marketing and public relation firms, and publishers in the community. Invited professionals from the design community will review your portfolio and offer feedback on your design and presentation.
ABOUT AVILA’S ART+DESIGN DEPARTMENT
All majors begin with Foundation courses including Drawing, Color Theory, Art History, and Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Design, which help students establish essential visual, conceptual and technical skills.
Art studios, which may be required by your specific major or can be taken as electives, include ceramics, oil painting, watercolor, printmaking, fiber, photography, and various computer software courses. In addition, you can arrange independent study with individual faculty to continue study in a specific media.
A low faculty-to-student ratio (enrollment in most studio courses is limited to 12 students) means that students receive individualized instruction and have a one-on-one relationship with the faculty.
