PennWest’s Bachelor of Design (BDes) degree in Graphic Design prepares majors to enter the growing and dynamic field of visual communication in graphic design. Graphic designers give form to visual ideas through the creative problem solving process-planning, analyzing, defining, creating, and evaluating the role their visual solutions have within the context of today’s communication.
More than ever, we live in a visually designed world. Visual forms continue to be redefined, restructured, and developed to solve unique problems for their target audience needs in cross-platform environments. At PennWest, students are encouraged to develop an individual aesthetic while studying the broader contexts and challenges that shape a successful design including the formal principles, conceptual approaches, techniques and applications, technologies and processes, theory and criticism, as well as more experimental methods to graphic design.
Keystone experiences of PennWest’s BDes degree in Graphic Design focus on professional preparation for the diverse pathways within the field of graphic & interactive design. Culminating experiences include the production of a final portfolio of work that best represents the abilities and focus of each student as they enter the professional field of graphic design.
The curriculum is further enhanced through internships and client-based projects, workshops and lectures by visiting lecturers, involvement in graphic design club and the student chapter of AIGA, portfolio reviews, studio tours, museum visits, and participation in regional and national competitions.
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