Graphic Design, BFA
Program Details
- Location
- Akron Campus
- Level
- undergraduate
- Academic Pathway
- major
- Degree/Program Type
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Format
- In-person
- Course Info
- Graphic Design, BFA
- College
- Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences (BCAS)
- School/Department
- Mary Schiller Myers School of Art
Program Contact
- Robert Kelemen
-
Professor of Instruction, Graphic Design Area Coordinator and Printmaking Coordinator
330–972–5957
Overview
Turn ideas into visual experiences that inform, engage and connect. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design prepares you for a career in the multidisciplinary field of visual communication design.
As a graphic design student at the Myers School of Art, you’ll develop creative and critical-thinking skills while using logical problem-solving to address communication challenges across print, web and interactive media. You’ll study communication theories, design principles and processes using current industry-standard technology.
Through areas such as branding, positioning and visual communication, you’ll explore how innovative design can create value for businesses and organizations while developing the creative, technical and professional skills to become an engaged, socially responsible and thoughtful designer.
Admissions Requirements
Students must meet the general admissions requirements of The University of Akron.
First-year Graphic Design students begin in the Myers School of Art foundation program. During this year, students take foundational art and design courses with full access to our computer labs -- no personal laptop required.
Career Outcomes
A BFA in Graphic Design prepares you for a wide range of creative careers in visual communication. Graduates work in design studios, ad agencies, corporate creative teams, nonprofits, and startups across the country.
You’ll be ready to pursue roles such as:
Graphic Designer
Motion Designer
UX/UI Designer
Art Director
Brand Strategist
Digital Designer
Production Designer
User Experience Designer
Interactive Designer
Social Media Designer
Our alumni have worked for organizations including Abercrombie & Fitch, American Greetings, KeyBank, J.M. Smucker Co., SoundCloud, Sterling Jewelers and Summa Health.
Design beyond the classroom
Build your skills through real client work, professional experiences and opportunities that connect your education to the design industry.
CAREER PREPARATION
Build industry experience
Strengthen your design and business skills through a professional internship in a studio, agency or corporate environment. You’ll gain experience in professional settings while making connections in the design community.
Learn about design x nine
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
Design for real clients
Put your skills to work through Design X Nine, the Myers School of Art’s in-house student design studio. Gain real-world experience creating work for clients on and off campus while building the professional skills you’ll use in your career.
STUDENT SUCCESS
Create award-winning work
Join a program where students have earned more than 100 design awards in competitions and have had their work published in major design journals. Build a portfolio that demonstrates your creativity, technical skills and growth as a designer.
The Akron Advantage
Develop your skills, build your portfolio and connect with the professional design community through experiences that prepare you for what comes next.
Connect with the design community while you’re still a student. Engage with local design professionals through organizations such as the American Advertising Federation AAF-Akron and participate in portfolio reviews with area art directors through American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA). These experiences offer opportunities to receive feedback, make professional connections and learn more about the graphic design industry.
Build a portfolio that reflects your skills, creativity and growth as a designer. Through your coursework, you’ll develop work across print, web and interactive media and have opportunities to receive portfolio feedback from area art directors through AIGA.
Showcase your work as you complete the Graphic Design program. The senior exhibition gives you an opportunity to present your work and celebrate your development as a designer.
Recent Senior Exhibition Websites
Connect with the design community while you’re still a student. Engage with local design professionals through organizations such as the American Advertising Federation AAF-Akron and participate in portfolio reviews with area art directors through American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA). These experiences offer opportunities to receive feedback, make professional connections and learn more about the graphic design industry.
Build a portfolio that reflects your skills, creativity and growth as a designer. Through your coursework, you’ll develop work across print, web and interactive media and have opportunities to receive portfolio feedback from area art directors through AIGA.
Showcase your work as you complete the Graphic Design program. The senior exhibition gives you an opportunity to present your work and celebrate your development as a designer.
Recent Senior Exhibition Websites
Technology requirements
Graphic Design students use professional tools and technology throughout the program. Review the laptop requirements so you know what equipment you’ll need as you progress into upper-level coursework.
Computer labs in the Myers School of Art support instruction in digital production during the first-year experience. Students are not required to purchase their own hardware or software during their first year but it is highly recommended.
After passing the Foundation Review and choosing Graphic Design as their major, students are required to own and maintain a laptop that meets the program’s minimum standards. The laptop is required before enrolling in ART 184 Typography 1 and must be maintained throughout the remainder of the Graphic Design program.
An Apple MacBook Pro is highly recommended for integration with existing Myers School of Art systems and preparation for the professional Graphic Design environment.
A laptop that is two years old or newer is recommended so that it can be maintained and used throughout the remaining three years of the program.
PCs may have a lower initial cost, but they are not recommended because of maintenance considerations and their limited use as an industry standard. Students who choose a PC should ensure that it meets the program’s requirements for memory, processing and storage.
Graphic Design students use industry-standard software for coursework and design projects. Software requirements may vary as students progress through the program. Eligible students have access to Adobe Creative Suite applications through The University of Akron, providing tools for design, illustration, photography and digital media.