Graphic designers shape how information is shared through visual communication. You’ll study design principles, layout strategies and storytelling techniques to develop engaging messaging. This degree emphasizes responsible design practices and builds your ability to communicate visually beyond just mastering software tools. Upon graduation, you’ll possess a wide range of transferable skills and competencies needed to succeed as a graphic designer, such as:
- Book design
- Color
- Critical thinking
- Environmental design
- Motion graphics
- Seeing, drawing and translating
- Strategic problem solving
- Storytelling
- 3D design
- Typography
- Visual literacy
Who's a good candidate for this graphic design program?
This program is designed for students who are curious, adaptable and excited to learn through hands-on projects. You’ll be a great fit if you’re looking to sharpen your critical thinking while using design to communicate meaningful ideas.
You’ll also thrive if you appreciate deep, thoughtful learning and are ready to participate in digital coursework. Please note this program does not teach specific, in-depth design software. You will, however, have opportunities to develop your technical skills independently with support from resources.
Arizona State University’s online Bachelor of Science in Design in graphic design explores ways to solve problems and develop narratives through visual communication. In this program, you’ll learn design principles and master applying these skills to professional print and web design projects. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped to work in graphic design, creative direction, visual communication and more.
You’ll complete theory-based projects using drawing and other techniques to create handbound booklets, small-bound books and presentation boards. In advanced courses, you’ll apply this knowledge to computer-based projects in publication design, motion graphics, web design, animation and interface design. This program culminates with a capstone course, in which you’ll conduct research and design a campaign around a social issue of your choice.
The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is home to world-class scholars, artists and designers who inspire students to shape the future. Research conducted by our faculty is grounded in the transformative power of art and its ability to change the world. Research areas include:
- Arts and design for social justice
- Arts, education and arts-integrated education
- Arts, entrepreneurship and cultural policy
- Community engagement and public policy
- Creative health collaborations
- Design, arts, science and engineering
- The study of creative work
ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is the home to top-ranked programs from various disciplines, including art, design, dance, fashion, film, gaming, media arts and sciences, music and theatre. We train artists and designers to leverage their creativity and problem-solving abilities to advance culture, build community and transform society.
- 8,000+ students
- 650+ internationally recognized faculty members
- 125 programs in art, design, dance, fashion, film, gaming, media arts and sciences, music and theatre
- Top 15 best graduate schools for fine arts, according to U.S. News & World Report, 2020
students
internationally recognized faculty members
programs in arts, media and engineering, design, dance and theater, film and music
among fine arts schools in the nation, ahead of Cornell University, Parsons School of Design and the University of California
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”