Arizona State University (Tempe campus)
Arizona State University (Tempe campus)

Arizona State University (Tempe campus)

1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ, United States Arizona, Tempe, USA Visit web page

Graphic Design, BSD

Study detals

: Bachelor's degree : Graphic Design, BSD ARGRABSD : Full time : 48 Month

Requirements

Academic requirements

First-year students must:

  • Have a 3.00 grade point average (GPA) (a "B" or better where "A"=4.00) from a secondary school. Some ASU programs may have higher admission or English proficiency requirements and may consider a minimum ACT or SAT score.
  • Must have three years of high school coursework. (If you are currently in high school, ASU needs to see 9–11 grade coursework. If you have completed high school, ASU needs to see 10–12 grade coursework.)
  • Must have and present a completed high school diploma or certificate.

Conditional admission

ASU may offer conditional undergraduate admission to international applicants to an on-campus program who meet the academic (aptitude) requirements but who are not proficient in English. This offer of conditional admission will give you time to improve your English proficiency before you start classes at ASU. Your conditional admission offer is good for up to three semesters, during which time you must meet one of these requirements to begin your ASU experience.

Competency requirements

International students who completed high school outside the U.S. are required to meet the following competency requirements:

  • Math: four years (algebra I, geometry, algebra II and one course requiring algebra II as a prerequisite).
  • Laboratory science: three years total (one year each from any of the following areas are accepted: biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated sciences and physics).

Provide evidence of English language proficiency (TOEFL 61)

Speciality

Available online

Additional information

Program description 

The graphic design program in The Design School is committed to excellence in traditional and contemporary graphic design education, professionalism, research and service for the community at large. Faculty, alumni, students and visiting designers and educators constantly reinforce the link between society and nature, and they vigorously advocate quality in developing communication strategies.

The BSD curriculum acknowledges the need for creative environments that address ecological concerns, and students are encouraged to develop sustainable, transdisciplinary work sensitive to cultural aesthetic. Students develop a strong foundation of design principles through lower-division studio and lecture courses, using this to build an overall understanding of how design can shape perception and meaning using visual media. Upper-division studio courses provide opportunities for students to work in collaborative teams addressing professional projects in information design, interaction design, exhibition design, animation, motion graphics, branding, publication design, web design, interface design and the multiple contemporary facets of sensorial design.

Graphic designers are responsible for designing how information is communicated. Forms of communication include print, video, film and electronic (web). Graphic designers are concerned with appearance, choosing the appropriate mechanism for communication, clarity of information and its effectiveness, and how communication is transferred and received.

The Bachelor of Science in Design program in graphic design places an emphasis on strategic communication developed through a design process that includes research, analysis, conceptualization, planning and realization. The process leads to innovative visual communication design solutions for contemporary design problems that are local to global in scope.

Concurrent program options

Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Global opportunities
Global experience 

Study abroad provides graphic design students with a chance to explore their creative side through an intercultural lens, challenging them to think differently as an artist and to explore different ways of communicating information visually across cultures as they build communication skills.

With more than 300 options available, whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, Global Education programs give students a breadth of knowledge in arts and culture. Students can gain a global perspective and knowledge while earning ASU credit. Students learn to adapt and persevere and to look inside themselves in a way they haven't done before, growing their self-confidence along the way.

Career opportunities

Based on a diversified portfolio upon graduation, those who opt for the graphic design profession gain employment in:

  • advertising and marketing design
  • brand and corporate identity design
  • broadcast design (TV graphics)
  • information design
  • interaction and interface design
  • museum or exhibition design
  • publication design
  • visual communication design
  • web design

Specific examples of graphic designers' work include:

  • annual reports
  • books
  • environmental graphics
  • motion graphics
  • multimedia presentations
  • publications
  • websites

Graduates also may pursue graduate studies that lead to careers in design education and other fields of professional endeavor in design.

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