The School of Art offers a four-year liberal arts degree program leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Graphic Design.
Graphic Design communicates information and ideas through the strategic use of layout, typography, image, and color. Students learn visual communication skills while developing critical design competencies and problem-solving abilities using traditional and digital media.
Students in this program begin with introductory courses in graphic design and printing processes.
Intermediate courses dive deep into the theories, techniques, and strategies of Graphic Design and advanced courses explore publication design, packaging technology, and user experience design (UX).
Students also explore other interests across the university and are encouraged to incorporate those interests into their design projects. In their senior year, students complete a design campaign that demonstrates the connection between academic theory and design practice on a topic of their choice.
Students learn to connect content with design to convey a significant message, individually and through collaboration with others. Students acquire technical knowledge, practical professional experience and achieve an awareness of relevant ethical issues.
Our small classes give students the opportunity to receive focused, one-on-one attention from professors as they develop research-based, conceptual, process-driven, and creative projects in a studio environment. Our studios are cooperative learning spaces that provide students with a strong sense of community.
Our Graphic Design graduates are equipped with knowledge of print and digital design in areas such as branding, advertising and marketing, publishing, motion graphics for film and television, packaging design, web design, game design, user experience design (UX), and user interface design (UI).
Nationally Ranked Program
Ball State University’s Graphic Design program is proud to be ranked among the country’s top public graphic design programs. The 2022 “Top 50 Public Graphic Design Schools and Colleges in the U.S.” ranking by Animation Career Review placed us in the top 10% nationally. In addition, we are ranked in the top 10% in the 2023 “Top 25 Graphic Design Schools and Colleges in the Midwest.” Since 2019, Graphic Design USA magazine has featured two of our Graphic Design students in their annual Students to Watch roundup and included our program in a list of 50 of their favorite institutions that prepare students to work in the professional graphic design industry.
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Have you decided our program is right for you? Then it’s time to begin the admission process. The program maintains a policy of selective enrollment. Admission requires a review at the end of the Spring semester. Read our portfolio requirements.
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