BFA GRAPHIC DESIGN
DESIGNINNOVATION
DESIGNFUTURES
DESIGNDIFFERENTLY
DESIGNPOSSIBILITIES
BFA GRAPHIC DESIGN
South Dakota State UniversitySchool of Design
SDSTATE.edu/School-Design/Graphic-Design
SDSUGD SDSUGD
SDSUGD SDSUGD
DESIGNINNOVATION
DESIGNFUTURES
DESIGNDIFFERENTLY
DESIGNPOSSIBILITIES01
02
03
04
BUILDYOURPRESTIGIOUSDEGREEATSDSU.
SDSTATE.edu/School-Design/Graphic-Design
SDSUGD SDSUGD
YOUNG AE KIM // [email protected]
SDSTATE.edu/Admissions
800-952-3541 // [email protected]
SDSTATE.edu/Scholarships
GRAPHIC DESIGN PROGRAM INFO.
ADMISSION CONTACT INFO.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.
01
DESIGNPOSSIBILITIES
STARTYOURPROFESSIONALGRAPHIC DESIGNDEGREEHERE.
Affordable
AFFORDABLE PROFESSIONAL
EDUCATION
$45,000
AVERAGESTARTING SALARY
100%
GRADUATE SCHOOL
ACCEPTANCE
4 faculty
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
PROFESSORS
25:1
STUDENT TO FACULTY
RATIO
JOBPLACEMENT
RATE
98%
Design is for people. Design is communication. We
discover design problems collaboratively and consider
the context and appropriate platforms. We introduce
design thinking, design research and a range of
methods to design and develop strategies and
context-appropriate solutions. We create a positive
design impact with bright possibilities for the way
people live in the world.
LAUNCHYOURCREATIVECAREERWITHAFFORDABLETUITION.
Bring life to businesses and brands. Tell captivating stories across diverse media. Graphic designers interpret cultural and technological trends and engage audiences with dynamic, compelling and informative content through visual communication.
The graphic design program provides a comprehensive visual
communication experience, including mobile technology,
interface design, user experience design, animation and motion
graphics, sustainable packaging design, brand identity design,
data visualization design and entrepreneurship. Graduates of
the graphic design program will create professional portfolios,
engage in real experiences working in industry, and have the
opportunity to build strong connections with professionals
nationally and internationally. SDSU graduates are prepared to
work in any field imaginable.
B.F.A.GRAPHIC DESIGN
sdstate.edu/school-design/graphic-design
Today, a college education is more than necessary. The
benefits of a college education are well known in professional
degrees, such as graphic design. Graduates see increased
salaries, greater job security and have more opportunities to
advance in their careers.
SDSU is ranked in the United States as an institution offering the lowest public university tuition. (Sources from U.S. News
& World Report, "National Universities Rankings"). SDSU offers
various opportunities to receive scholarships, grants and other
monies to reduce the cost of your college education.
AFFORDABLEPROFESSIONALB.F.A.DEGREE
@ AIGA, LOS ANGELES, CA
BUILDYOURPRESTIGIOUSDEGREE.
2006AIGA
MEDALISTDEBBIE MILLMAN
2013AIGA
MEDALISTSTEFAN SAGMEISTER
2006AIGA
MEDALISTRICK VALICENTI
SDSU's graphic design offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts, which
is the most prestigious bachelor's degree in the visual arts.
The B.F.A. graphic design degree prepares students to develop
both practical and conceptual skills and to integrate visual
language with imagination and technology.
ENRICHYOURPROFESSIONALDEGREE
B.F.A.GRAPHIC DESIGN4 YEARS
GRAPHIC DESIGNMINOR/CERTIFICATE
GRAPHIC DESIGN MINOR (18 credits)
GRAPHIC DESIGN CERTIFICATE (12 credits)
The graphic design program also provides a minor and a
certificate for interdisciplinary opportunities for other majors.
It can be incorporated into any major.
INTERDISCIPLINARYOPPORTUNITIES
In the age of expression, exploration and innovation, SDSU
provides an opportunity for students to enhance their
professional majors with a variety of minor and certificate
options.
MINORS
CERTIFICATES
Film Studies
Animation
Printmaking
Art History
New Product & Venture
Design Studies
Studio Art
Retail Merchandising
Journalism & Advertising
Apparel & Fashion Studies
Marketing
Sustainability
BRAND DESIGNER ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNER GRAPHIC DESIGNER
INTERACTIVE DESIGNER MOBILE APP DESIGNER PACKAGE
DESIGNER PUBLICATION DESIGNER TYPEFACE DESIGNER USER
INTERFACE DESIGNER USER EXPERIENCE DESIGNER APPLICATION
COMPOSER PRODUCTION DESIGNER BROADCAST DESIGNER
MARKETING DESIGNER ILLUSTRATOR VISUAL JOURNALIST
CONTENT DEVELOPER VISUAL IMAGE DEVELOPER FRONT END
WEB DESIGNER CONTENT STRATEGIST ADVERTISING DESIGNER
DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING EDITORIAL DESIGNER INFORMATION
GRAPHIC DESIGNER INFORMATION ARCHITECT MOTION GRAPHIC
DESIGNER EXHIBITION DESIGNER TEXTILE DESIGNER MULTIMEDIA
DESIGNER EMOJIS DESIGNER ANIMATOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR ART
DIRECTOR FILM & VIDEO EDITOR MULTIMEDIA ARTIST TECHNICAL
WRITER AND MORE BRAND DESIGNER ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNER
GRAPHIC DESIGNER INTERACTIVE DESIGNER MOBILE APP
DESIGNER PACKAGE DESIGNER PUBLICATION DESIGNER TYPEFACE
DESIGNER USER INTERFACE DESIGNER USER EXPERIENCE
DESIGNER APPLICATION COMPOSER PRODUCTION DESIGNER
BROADCAST DESIGNER MARKETING DESIGNER ILLUSTRATOR
VISUAL JOURNALIST CONTENT DEVELOPER VISUAL IMAGE
DEVELOPER FRONT END WEB DESIGNER CONTENT STRATEGIST
ADVERTISING DESIGNER DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING EDITORIAL
DESIGNER INFORMATION GRAPHIC DESIGNER INFORMATION
ARCHITECT MOTION GRAPHIC DESIGNER EXHIBITION DESIGNER
TEXTILE DESIGNER MULTIMEDIA DESIGNER EMOJIS DESIGNER
ANIMATOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR FILM & VIDEO
EDITOR MULTIMEDIA ARTIST TECHNICAL WRITER AND MORE
REVEALYOURCAREERPOSSIBILITIES.
SDSU graphic design grads work at companies around
the globe: IBM, Disney, Google, NBC Sports, Fame, Target,
Colle+Mcvoy, Little & Company, Mono, Epicosity, Daktronics,
Lawrence & Schiller, Fresh Produce, Lemonly, HenkinSchultz,
Janus Et Cie, Sanford, VVI, Paulsen and many more.
Graphic design student portfolios are highly competitive
and are recognized at national and international design
competitions and exhibitions.
GLOBALOPPORTUNITIES
BIGBRANDS,BIGGEROPPORTUNITIES.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Graphic design students interact with visiting professionals
including:
THE IBM VISUAL DESIGN TEAM LEADER
LEO BURNETT CREATIVE DIRECTORS & ART DIRECTORS
VICTORIA'S SECRET CREATIVE DIRECTOR
AIGA MEDALIST RICK VALICENTI FROM THIRST
50,000FT CO-FOUNDER MICHAEL PETERSEN
GRAMMY AWARD-NOMINATED DESIGNERS
SDSU ALUMNI
PENTAGRAM PARTNER DJ STOUT
AND MANY MORE
COLLABORATIVECREATIVITY,FUTURETHINKING.
SDSU graphic design students take on assignments just like
at regional and national creative agencies. Students work with
a diverse group of experts. They learn about the many roles a
designer can fill and how design and collaboration fit into the
grand scheme of the workplace.
The graphic design program at SDSU goes far beyond the
classroom. From one-on-one critiques and mentoring by
industry titans and faculty to state-of-the-design resources,
students have limitless opportunities to expand their expertise
and prepare for thriving careers.
SDSU graphic design students explore creative processes
and approaches to visual identity in typeface design, user
experience design, branded spaces, interactivity, wayfinding
systems, package design, data visualization design, time-
based motion graphics and more.
COLLABORATIVECREATIVITY
FUTURETHINKING
DESIGNDEPTH
I've learned from CEOs/founders of design firms and directors. SDSU provided the opportunities I could only imagine.- Thomas Bates B.F.A., graphic design, 2019
EXPERIENCETHEEXTRAORDINARYFACULTY.
YOUNG AE KIM CABLE HARDIN
PROGRAM COORDINATOR / UX & UI DESIGNAssociate ProfessorEmotional User Experience Design Researcher
AIGA South Dakota Chapter Board Member
FILM AND ANIMATIONProfessorFilm Study Minor Program CoordinatorAnimator/Filmmaker
BEVERLY KRUMM CARRIE KUHL
COLLABORATING FACULTY
GRAPHIC DESIGN PRINT MEDIA LecturerProfessional Graphic Designer
AIGA Professional Member
GRAPHIC DESIGN PRINT & DIGITAL MEDIA Half-Time Permanent InstructorAIGA Professional Member
Professional Graphic Designer
DIANA BEHLPrintmaking
Associate Professor
MARK STEMWEDEL
Painting
Lecturer
PETER REICHARDT
Drawing
Lecturer
SCOTT WALLACE
Sculpture
Professor
MOLLY WICKS
Foundation
Lecturer
SHANNON FREWALDT
Ceramics
Instructor
@ MONO, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
02
DESIGNDIFFERENTLY
BEGREAT.STARTHERE.
Students complete 86 credits in design studies with 33 credits
of institutional requirements and additional electives to reach
120 credits needed for graduation. Graphic design majors
qualify for a studio art minor as part of their normal degree
progress. Students often pursue certificates/minors/majors
or additional coursework in other areas of study, such as:
design studies, animation, film studies, art history, advertising,
entrepreneurial studies, computer science and psychology.
CURRICULUM
86 credits
33 credits
1 credit
DESIGN STUDIO
INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
ELECTIVE
120 CREDITS
MINIMUM GPA
Graphic design students must maintain at least a major GPA
of 2.6; overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the duration of
the program. A grade of a “C” or better is required in all ART,
ARTE, ARTH, GDES, DSGN, LA, ARCH and ID courses.
ELECTIVE OPTIONS
GDES 303 Animation Foundations II (spring only)
ART 492 Topics: Letterpress (spring only)
ART 492 Topics: Illustration (spring only)
ART 492 Topics: Digital Art (online Summer only)
** more options are available depending on each semester
** Availability of above courses may change.
@ KNOED CREATIVE, CHICAGO, IL
Internships are available for enterprising students. The
internship is designed not only for students to do great work
with the opportunity to learn and grow, but also to experience
the corporations’ culture of connection, executive engagement
and memorable events. As many corporations and design
studios offer internship programs in the summer months,
having several internship experiences prior to graduation has
become mandatory for full-time graphic design positions.
An internship is required in the graphic design program, and
the experience will provide professional training, a better
understanding of the job, confidence, a new perspective of
industries and communication skills.
The economy is changing daily. The job market is competitive
and poses a tough learning curve for recent graduates.
Applied learning (internships) provides skills, experience and
opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in a professional
setting. Internships continue to be a key experience for college
students and a necessity for navigating an ever-changing job
market.
• Application of education and career exploration• Gain experience and increase marketability• Networking• Required experience for the job qualification• Professionalism• Learn how a professional workplace operates• Build resume• Gain professional feedback• Learn from others
MOREEXPERIENCES,MOREPREPARED.
IBMNBC Sports
FameTarget
Little & CompanyDaktronics
Lawrence & SchillerFresh Produce
LemonlyHenkin Schultz
EpicocityJANUS
IBMNBC Sports
FameTarget
Little & CompanyDaktronics
Lawrence & SchillerFresh Produce
LemonlyHenkin Schultz
EpicocityJANUS
IBMNBC Sports
FameTarget
Little & CompanyDaktronics
Lawrence & SchillerFresh Produce
LemonlyHenkin Schultz
EpicocityJANUS
IBMNBC Sports
FameTarget
Little & CompanyDaktronics
Lawrence & SchillerFresh Produce
LemonlyHenkin Schultz
EpicocityJANUS
IBMNBC Sports
FameTarget
Little & CompanyDaktronics
Lawrence & SchillerFresh Produce
LemonlyHenkin Schultz
EpicocityJANUS
IBMNBC Sports
FameTarget
Little & CompanyDaktronics
Lawrence & Schiller
WHERE ALUMNIWORK
INTERNSHIPS
BENEFITS
THEWORLDISOURCLASSROOM.
@ GREAT WALL, BEIJING, CHINASouth Dakota State University is the largest university in South
Dakota with a comprehensive program in graphic design.
SDSU offers a rich academic experience in an environment
of inclusion and access through student-centered education
and creative activities. The university provides multicultural
experiences, innovative ideas and nurtures creative minds.
SDSU is home to students from diverse countries and has
nearly 1,000 international students.
Across the university, travel studies have provided SDSU
alumni, friends and family with exceptional educational travel
journeys to more than 50 countries each year.
Each trip in the graphic design program is unique and defined
by exclusive experiences that only SDSU graphic design travel
studies can provide. Travel studies are an integral part of
the graphic design curriculum, which enhance learning and
prepare student designers to be globally competitive.
TRAVEL STUDIES
• Understand diversity and inclusion• Collaborate with other designers at international design competitions• Enhance professional experiences • Enhance resume and graduate school applications• Expand professional industry connections • Cultivate a broader worldview• Become a global citizen• Have fun!
BENEFITS
• Seoul, South Korea • Tokyo, Japan• Beijing and Hong Kong, China• Toronto and Vancouver, Canada• Copenhagen, Denmark • Delhi, India • London, England
• Helsinki, Finland • Rome, Italy• New York, New York• Chicago, Illinois• Los Angeles, California• Las Vegas, Nevada• Portland, Oregon
DESTINATIONS
The future of learning is to learn by doing. Travel experiences bridge the gap between theory and practice.- Young Ae Kim | Program Coordinator
2nd YEAR 3rd YEARSU SUGDES 482 TRAVEL STUDIES PROFESSIONAL STUDIO PRACTICE
ORINTERNSHIP
GDES 482 GDES 401ORGDES 494
FALL FALLSPRING SPRINGY1 Y2AHSS 111
ART 121 ART 122ART 111SGR #6
INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP & DIVERSITYDESIGN 2DDESIGN II COLORDRAWING INATURAL SCIENCE
GDES 203GDES 209GDES 216ARTH 211 SPCM 101
ANIMATION FOUNDATIONS IDESIGN RESEARCHTYPOGRAPHYHISTORY OF WORLD ART I FUNDAMENTALS OF SPEECH
ART 112DSGN 110GDES 101 ENGL 101SGR #6
DRAWING IICREATIVE THINKINGCOMPUTER GRAPHICSCOMPOSITION I (SGR #1)NATURAL SCIENCE
GDES 207GDES 310ARTH 211 ENGL 201 SGR #5
INTERACTIVE DESIGN IBRAND STRATEGY & IDENTITY DESIGNHISTORY WORLD ART IICOMPOSITION II (SGR #1)MATHEMATICS
MAJORMAP
TOTAL CREDITS
86 credits 33 credits 1 credit
DESIGN STUDIOB.F.A GRAPHIC DESIGN DEGREE CREDIT TOTAL
INSTITUTIONALREQUIREMENTS ELECTIVE
120 CREDITS
FALL FALLSPRING SPRINGY3 Y4GDES 307GDES 402ARTH 312ART/GDESSGR #3
INTERACTIVE DESIGN IIPORTFOLIO DESIGNHISTORY OF GRAPHIC DESIGNGRAPHIC DESIGN ELECTIVESOCIAL SCIENCES/DIVERSITY
GDES 415 GDES 312 DSGNSGR #4SGR #6
PUBLICATION DESIGNSUSTAINABLE PACKAGE DESIGNSCHOOL OF DESIGN CAPSTONEHUMANITIES/ART DIVERSITYNATURAL SCIENCE
GDES 304GDES 410ART/GDES
SGR #3
MOTION GRAPHICSDATA VISUALIZATION DESIGNELECTIVE GRAPHIC DESIGN ELECTIVESCHOOL OF DESIGN ELECTIVESOCIAL SCIENCES/DIVERSITY
GDES 417 ARTH 490
UX & UI DESIGNSEMINAR: HISTORY OF MODERN DESIGNART ELECTIVE ART STUDIO ELECTIVESCHOOL OF DESIGN ELECTIVE
4-YEAR COMPLETION GUIDELINESAMPLE
MINIMUM GPA
Graphic design students must maintain at least a major GPA of 2.6; overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the duration of the program. A grade of a “C” or better is required in all ART, ARTE, ARTH, GDES, DSGN, LA, ARCH and ID courses.
GDES 303 Animation Foundations II (spring only) ART 492 Topics: Letterpress (spring only) ART 492 Topics: Illustration (spring only) ART 492 Topics: Advanced Digital Photography (online F/S, p. ART 192 Topics: Digital Photography) ART 492 Topics: Digital Art (online summer only) *** more options are available depending on each semester
ELECTIVE OPTIONS
03
DESIGNINNOVATION
PREPARETOGOBEYOND.
The SDSU graphic design program prepares students
with winning portfolios and hands-on industry
experiences. Students and alumni boost their
portfolios with national and international design wins:
GDUSA American Package Awards, National Student
Advertising Competition, ADDY Awards, National
Student Show & Conference, Red Dot Communication
Design Awards and Smithsonian Magazine, etc.
BOLDPORTFOLIO
ADDY AWARD DISTRICT 8 WINNER
ADDY BEST OF SHOW
NATIONAL STUDENT SHOW FIRST PLACE
ADDY GOLD AWARD - BRAND CATEGORY
ADDY GOLD AWARD - CAMPAIGN CATEGORY
ADDY GOLD AWARD - STATIONERY PACKAGE
SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE - PHOTOGRAPHY
ADDY GOLD AWARD - PUBLICATION
ADDY GOLD AWARD - BRAND CATEGORY
ADDY GOLD AWARD - CAMPAIGN CATEGORY
ADDY SILVER AWARD - BOOK DESIGN
2019
2020
LADABOX
THOMAS BATES
SYDNEY HAUSMAN
STORE INTERIOR GRAPHICS
ADVERTISEMENT
SOFTWARE USED BRAND STRATEGY & IDENTITY DESIGNTEAM PROJECT
Brand Strategy
CI & BI Design
Store front & Interior Graphics
Commercial Videos
Promotion Design
App & Web Design
7ST UNION
RACHEL HARMON
MADELINE MOORHOUSE
EMILY CASSINTERACTIVE DESIGN IICOLLABORATION PROJECT
Brand Strategy
CI & BI Design
Environmental Design
Signage Design
Promotion Design
App & Web Design
STATIONERYAPP & WEB
SOFTWARE USED
04
DESIGNFUTURES
DESIGNFORTHEWORLD.
Graphic design faculty and the Off ice of Career
Development are dedicated to helping students and
alumni with career and internship searches, providing job
search assistance and offering resources to discover their
dream jobs.
At SDSU, our relationship with you doesn't end when you
graduate. As an alumnus, you can continue to use the
extensive array of career services SDSU provides.
My favorite memory was the travel experiece, which was a whole other world of design. Afterwards, I was able to see growth in my design work!
I don't have to be great to start, but I start learning to be great from the design experts and professors.
- Hope Bollin | B.F.A., graphic design, 2020
- Sam Tusha | B.F.A., graphic design, 2019
Graphic design professors strive for progress of an individual student. I was challenged to be a better graphic designer everyday.- Rachel Klein | B.F.A., graphic design, 2019
DEVELOPFUTUREOPPORTUNITIES@SDSU.
RACHELKLEIN
THOMASBATES
IBM iXUX & UI Designer
The graphic design program at SDSU prepared me for the
large variety of work that I do now. The different projects
we collaborated on not only gave us opportunities to grow
in our design work, but also taught the importance of being
able to work with others and understand the needs of the
project. I also had the incredible opportunity of traveling
through Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing with professors and
students from the graphic design department while being
at SDSU. So, when my first project took me back to Tokyo,
I was more familiar with the business practices along with
the culture, which aided in creating a successful partnership
with one of the main airlines in Japan.
Linkedin.com/in/rannkleinIBM.com/services/ibmix
FRESH PRODUCEGraphic Designer
I am thankful that I had wonderful professors and
classmates during my time in the graphic design program
at SDSU. School introduced me to AIGA and attending the
AIGA conferences in Minneapolis and Pasadena were one
of the highlights of my college career. The HIG collaboration
design project was such a great learning opportunity
and portfolio piece that helped me land my first full-time
job. Learning the process of creating a brand identity
has carried over to what I do at Fresh Produce as well as
freelance work. My advice is to explore every avenue of
graphic design that you can. Learning will never end. Enjoy
it! I am so thankful for everyone that has helped me along
the way and highly recommend this program to anyone that
is passionate about graphic design.
tmbates.compickfresh.com
MITCHTORBERT
LADANBAHMANI
FERNSON BREWING COMPANYGraphic Designer & Project Manager
Among the many things that made my experience at SDSU
productive was the investment the university has made in
high-quality instructors that ravenously pursue their own
artwork and side projects, build deep relationships with
their students and community, and work hard to improve
the educational practices, environment and culture. It
promotes an attitude of unity among the students to be
a part of a department so closely knit and ambitious. I am
working for Fernson Brewing Company at Sioux Falls,
South Dakota, since 2015. I am passionate about creative
problem solving. In fine art, it’s an interest in the capabilities
of media, in graphic design, an attention for understanding
goals, obstacles and solutions.
Instagram.com/mitchtorbertFernson.com
ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITYAssistant Professor
The SDSU graphic design program established a great
foundation for my design practice. I can't forget the
tough yet constructive and honest critiques I received in
classes, which helped me grow as a designer. In addition to
graphic design, taking animation, drawing, art history and
printmaking courses taught me concepts and techniques
I apply to my practice and teaching to this day. Learning
from visiting artists and designers was also an invaluable
opportunity that helped me envision my future. I am
forever grateful for being a Jackrabbit and for the support
and encouragements I still receive from SDSU faculty. I
have disseminated my work in the form of conference
presentations, research papers and exhibitions.
Ladanbahmani.comFinearts.illinoisstate.edu
