Graduate Study
Graphic Design
Program Overview
Graphic design is a professional major that consists of a sequence of courses addressing advanced visual communication problems and emphasizes meaning, form and function. In a professional studio setting, students work with faculty on the understanding and implementation of design process; design theory; history and criticism; research methods; visual aesthetics; typography; imagery; systems design; information design; ethics and values; project development and evaluation; and cross-disciplinary problem-solving methods.
Curriculum Review
Course work and thesis projects incorporate both theory and application in the solution of hypothetical or actual design problems. Courses within this major evidence a balanced approach toward the application of electronic media and traditional processes. Final design outcomes may range from small- or large-scale two-dimensional, printed artifacts to electronic, time-based and/or interactive applications. Special lectures, guest speakers, exhibits and workshops complement the studio work experience. Student projects also utilize other RIT resources such as the Graphic Design Archive and the Cary Graphic Arts Collection.
Career Outcomes
Job TitlesGraphic designer, information designer, staff artist, design director, creative director, multimedia designer, art director, web page designer
Functions
Assist designers in designing and executing projects. Develop computer generated and traditional design solutions for a variety of media, including publications, advertising, information systems, corporate identity systems, and interactive media
Recent Employers
Catalyst Direct, Clarion Marketing, Community Graphics, Eastman Kodak Co., Gannett Newspapers, Heritage Media Corporation, Northern Telecom, Rumrill Hoyt, Saatchi & Saatchi Business Communications, Xerox Corporation
Admission Requirements
Portfolio: should contain samples of the applicant’s work, including a combination of drawings, two- and three-dimensional design, photo imaging, website design, product renderings, CAD drawings, page layouts, etc. Visual content is dependent upon the applicant’s experience and the program for which the applicant is applying. The portfolio should consist of 20 to 40 samples of the applicant’s best work. Slides, CD-ROMs, DVDs, or a combination are acceptable. They must be stand-alone files that will run on a MAC or PC.
Prerequisites
Applicants should hold a baccalaureate degree in a field of arts, sciences, or education from a regionally accredited college in the United States or Canada and demonstrate, through quality of the undergraduate record in creative production, a genuine, professional potential.
Those coming from countries where the baccalaureate degree is not given for programs in the practice of art may be admitted to graduate study if the diploma or certificate received approximates the standards of the BFA, BA, or BS degrees and if their academic records and portfolios indicate an ability to meet graduate standards.
A student who needs additional undergraduate study requirements may be admitted. This study will be structured for breadth or increased performance in areas designated and will be determined at the time of acceptance. Such prerequisites must be satisfied as defined in the letter of acceptance, which applicants will receive prior to admission as graduate students. Extended study may require additional time on campus.