Graphic Design MA

The MA in Graphic Design & Digital Media emphasizes professional and career development with advanced study of the field and encourages students to extend their design skills into content creation, authorship, entrepreneurialism, and social innovation.

Master of Arts (MA) Degree
Major Classes

This program is available online and on campus

GR 616

Design Thinking & Visual Communication Major/3

Explore the principles of design that define design as a discipline. By examining historical, social, and cultural influences, you'll develop essential skills in design thinking and visual creation. Refine your skills by creating thoughtful, purpose-driven design solutions that effectively meet project goals. Assignments will include traditional design methods and AI explorations, providing a comprehensive foundation for modern design challenges.

GR 617

Type Forms Major/3

Explore the art of typography. You'll develop an in-depth understanding of letterforms, proportion, hierarchy, legibility, structure, and aesthetics, enabling you to create impactful typographic solutions to various design challenges. Assignments will include traditional approaches alongside experimental projects using AI, helping you build strong foundational skills while exploring new, innovative possibilities in typography.

GR 618

Visual Literacy Major/3

Become fluent in visual language. You'll master the universal design principles, communication theory techniques, and critical skills to create meaning and understanding from the complex information that surrounds us.

GR 619

Type Composition Major/3

Take a deeper dive into the theory and applications of typography. You'll increase your ability to communicate content and meaning of text using organization, hierarchy, layout, and grid-system skills.

GR 620

Visual Thinking Major/3

Use design to put it all together and get things done. Through specific process development techniques, you'll use your design thinking and visual development abilities to create unique design solutions that accomplish their intended goals.

GR 621

Type Systems Major/3

Building on the skills learned in Type Forms and Type Composition, you will learn to construct larger systems of typography through the development of linear narrative structures, non-linear interactive formats, and coordinated brand expressions. You will develop typographic communications and technical solutions for a wider array of mediums and platforms.

GR 624

The Nature of Identity Major/3

Learn to create the identity and branding systems crucial to the success of businesses, organizations, products, goods, and services. Through careful strategy, development, and implementation of brand and identity assets, you'll create the visual assets critical to survive the contemporary business world.

GR 700

Design Seminar/Portfolio Major/3

The portfolio is the final step in your Graphic Design program. You'll develop a comprehensive print and digital visual system that shows off your design skills and a robust social media presence to effectively promote your strengths to the world. (This course is cross-listed with GR 875.)

IXD 600

Digital Graphics Major/3

Develop proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign by engaging in comprehensive design projects. You will delve into Adobe's design suite and AI-enhanced design tools.

IXD 606

User Experience Design Major/3

Design intuitive product experiences by understanding a target audience and the devices they interact with. You'll explore the user experience design process while utilizing industry standard tools and artificial intelligence.

Degree Requirements

Unit RequirementsUnits
Major Coursework33
Graduate Liberal Arts3
Total36

MA GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DIGITAL MEDIA DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

  • Successful completion of Final Portfolio Review.
  • Minimum grade of C in all required 36 units.
  • Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirement:
    1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic Sensitivity course

Additional Information

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Critical & Creative Thinking

  • Conduct appropriate research to identify problems and potential solutions
  • Demonstrate the resourcefulness and flexibility necessary to conceive and execute design solutions

Conceptual Skills

  • Create compelling and engaging visual communications that convey appropriate messages and ideas
  • Address problems through a design process
  • Create visual communications demonstrating competent formal design skills which include: hierarchy, typography, aesthetics, composition and construction of meaningful images
  • Demonstrate competence in media, materials, tools, technology, and techniques

Professional Readiness

  • Effectively present and communicate ideas
  • Demonstrate the skills necessary for chosen career path through the presentation of a cohesive body of work