Graphic Design Degree

The print and digital environment is limitless with a graphic design degree.

At Park University, our Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design program provides students with the opportunity to build a robust foundation of design skills, including visual communication, identity and branding, typography, layout, illustration, 3D animation and photography, while building professional design portfolios. If you are interested in pursuing a career in art and design, graphic designers are in demand to create visual materials for a wide variety of products and services.

Locations & Learning Options

As a graphic design major student, you will be required to take face-to-face classes at our Parkville, Missouri campus. Refer to your catalog for a complete listing of requirements and coursework for this graphic design bachelor’s degree.

Locations

  • Parkville

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Portfolios & Art Supplies

All graduating art and design majors are required to individually document (either by means of color slide photography or digital photography) selected examples of their best work. These final portfolios are to be submitted to their major advisors as part of their Senior Seminar. These slides, CDs, zip disks, etc. will remain the property of the Department of Art, Design and Interdisciplinary Studies.

Art and Design majors must plan, when preparing their yearly educational budgets, to spend at least $250 per semester on art supplies. All studio art courses require varying amounts of personal equipment and supplies. Studio fees collected at registration for some art courses provide only a portion of the supplies needed. Supply lists will be provided on the first day of classes.

Dr. James F. Pasley

Acting Department Chair, Art & Design
Professor of Political Science
james.pasley@park.edu

Park University logo placeholder image

Merrick Henry, M.F.A.


Assistant Teaching Professor, Graphic Design
mhenry@park.edu

Gain skills in graphic design concept, software and techniques, and prepare for your career in visual communications.

The courses within the graphic design program model the conditions of a professional work environment. The graphic design bachelor’s program is a laboratory-like studio setting — where an active community, formal and informal peer-interaction, and opportunities for collaborative output help inform students’ preparation for professional practice. A small program within a large university, students receive individualized attention from design faculty daily. Graphic design major students will develop design strategies and tactical approaches to meet a large spectrum of needs and challenges across business, social, and cultural territories.

Through a mixture of training and experience in visual communications design, the graphic design program develops students’ creative ingenuity and problem-solving capabilities, while expanding technical and visual skill sets across industry-relevant media, materials, and environments. Theory and applied experiences offer a well-rounded exploration in design essentials such as principles of design, types of graphic design, the creative process, user experience and much more. Students strive to develop strong, individualized portfolios that demonstrate risk-taking and inventiveness in form and concept.

As a graphic design program student, you will be required to individually document selected examples of your best work. These final portfolios will then be submitted to your major advisor as part of your senior seminar.

At Park University, we prepare you by offering a fully-equipped Macintosh studio, as well as internship opportunities in graphic design firms and other professional settings to provide you with the real-world experience that will help you succeed in your career.

Careers

The curriculum incorporates experience in the following areas:

  • Communication Design
  • Corporate Identity / Branding
  • Editorial Design
  • Motion Design
  • Environmental Graphic Design
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Program Highlights

While pursuing the graphic design bachelor’s degree, you will be required to learn the basics of art history, drawing, photography and painting, which will all lay the foundation for acquiring an extensive skill set. You may also choose to pursue internships between your junior and senior years, independent study and special topics. At Park University, our graphic design program can help grow your knowledge and skills, so you can pursue a career in the vast digital environment.

Related programs

Park University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Park University is a private, non-profit, institution of higher learning since 1875.