Bachelor of Arts in Graphic DesignSchool of Arts and Sciences

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Creativity that inspires

Unleash your creative potential and transform imagination into reality with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design. At Edgewood College, we believe that creativity lies at the heart of design, and our program empowers students to harness their skills of imagination, innovation, and visual communication to inspire and captivate audiences. Through our curriculum, we encourage students to explore their creative instincts while providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to bring their ideas to life.

Students are taught by faculty members who are practicing designers and artists, bringing a wealth of diverse professional experience from the design and visual communication industries. Equipping students with the essential expertise for success in the industry, the Graphic Design program offers a broad curriculum encompassing digital art and design, layout and typography, user experience design, and coding, along with foundational courses in drawing, painting, photography, and art history. Technical skill development is infused into the student’s academic journey, complemented by the acquisition of skills in strategic thinking, effective communication, and creative execution, empowering students to inspire their audience and achieve desired outcomes.

With its vibrant diversity, the city of Madison offers a creative landscape that fosters a rich tapestry of artistic expression. A hub of art and culture in the state of Wisconsin, Edgewood College’s location boasts a dynamic environment primed to fuel creativity and innovation. Here, you will discover ample opportunities to excel in graphic design and user experience design and make a lasting impact on our community.

Locations
Madison, WI

Formats
On-campus

Number of Credits
120

Next Start Date
January 21, 2025

Careers within Graphic Design

$57,990

Average annual salary for a Graphic Designer

Projected employment growth rate, from 2022-2032

Bureau of Labor Statistics

A bachelor’s degree in graphic design prepares you for a variety of career paths.

Advertising & Marketing Artist
Art Director
Creative Director
Graphic Designer
Social Media Manager
Special Effects and Artist Animators
Technical Writer
User Experience Designer

Graphic Design by the Numbers

15:1

Student to faculty ratio

Years of combined experience among Graphic Design faculty

Graphic Design Student Spotlight

Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design

Abbey Brynolf ’24

“My instructors have played a crucial role in creating a supportive learning environment. Through their guidance and encouragement, I’ve forged meaningful connections with my fellow peers, it’s created a community spirit among us aspiring designers.”

Featured Courses in Graphic Design

Art 210 Graphic Design

Students learn the fundamentals of graphic design including layout, typography, illustration, printing processes and production methods.

Art 310 Layout Design

Students focus on developing skills in multiple page layout and design for print and electronic publishing.

Art 470 Web Design 1

In this introduction to web design students gain understanding of the underlying relationship between HTML, CSS and the production of clean, responsive, efficient, engaging, well-designed sites.

Explore All Courses For This Program

Graphic Design Experiences

Professional Development Through an Internship

All students enrolled in the Graphic Design program are required to complete a 120-hour internship experience. This empowers students with invaluable professional experience, directly relevant to their field. The capstone course, usually scheduled during or close to the internship period, incorporates reflective elements of the internship experience.

Graphic Design Capstone Class

While you are building the skills to help differentiate yourself from others, you will be building a professional portfolio along the way. In the final semester of your senior year, students will create both a web-based and PDF portfolio to showcase a variety of their work. This portfolio is a culmination of several years of hard work, but even more, it is your tangible “calling card” to share with potential employers as you embark on the career that first brought you to Edgewood College. The “Senior Design Show” brings your academic journey full circle as you participate in an evening of sharing your final portfolio.

Faculty Spotlights

Adjunct Instructor, Graphic Design, Division of the Arts

Maribeth Fleischmann

mfleischmann@edgewood.edu

Adjunct Instructor, Web Design, Division of the Arts

Brad Knutson

bknutson@edgewood.edu

Adjunct Instructor, Graphic Design

Eric Larson

Erilarson@edgewood.edu

Associate Professor, Art Department

Alan Luft

ALuft@edgewood.edu

Sr. Lecturer, Art History

Sarah Stolte, Ph.D.

SStolte@edgewood.edu

View All Faculty

A Creative Haven for students

The Stream is Edgewood College’s visual and theatre arts center. This dramatic industrial structure is home to the art and theatre art programs, Diane Ballweg Theatre, and Edgewood College Gallery. Within The Stream is a dedicated specialized laboratory-learning classroom for Art Education. Located on the southwest corner of campus, the building overlooks the surrounding woods and Lake Wingra.

The College received Gold LEED certification for the building, which makes it the second LEED-certified building on campus. Edgewood College became the first college or university in Wisconsin for exemplary environmental performance (2006).

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Frequently Asked Questions About Graphic Design

What are the career outcomes for students in this program?

Students in our Graphic Design program embark on exciting career paths, finding opportunities as Creative Directors, Graphic Designers, and Art Directors. Other graduates work on advertising campaigns, in communications fields, and in social media.

Have students been able to double major?

Many students take advantage of the opportunity to do a double major or double minor. Within the Art Department, we offer a diverse range of studio art concentrations as part of our major. Additionally, we provide minors in Art History, Photography, and Entrepreneurial Studies.

What if I am interested in pursuing art classes, but I don’t plan to pursue an art-specific major?

For those interested in pursuing their artistic passions alongside another major, we also offer a Certificate of Art. This certificate allows students from any major outside of the Art Department to complete twelve (12) credits of courses with an “ART” prefix. It serves as an excellent means to nurture your creativity and demonstrate your artistic abilities to potential employers within your chosen career field.