Graphic Design

Major: Graphic Design
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 189.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 50.0409
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 27-1024

About the Program

Westphal College's Graphic Design curriculum provides a balance of theory and practice in rigorous design study enhanced by general education coursework in the humanities and the physical and social sciences. Students learn to conceptualize, visualize, and realize visual communications through the rigor of project-based exploration and experimentation based on the formal foundations of typography, image-making, aesthetics, and critical thinking. Graphic Design students are immersed in all aspects of visual communications such as motion, web and interactive design, books, magazines and publications (print and screen based), posters, advertising, packaging, exhibition design, and data visualization. Working on two- and three-dimensional projects and electronic media, students utilize the latest applications and emerging technologies to stay current with the industry.
 
Graphic Design students can also pursue advanced elective coursework in web and motion graphic design, environmental graphic design, experimental publication design, and other interdisciplinary special topics projects.

Additional Information

For more information about the major, visit the Graphic Design program webpage or contact Program Director Bill Rees.

Degree Requirements 

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Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

Select from 100-499 level courses, including T380-T480 in AFAS, ARCH, ARTH, COM, DANC, ENGL, FMST, GST, HIST, INTR, IST, JWST, LANG, LING, MENA, MUSC, PHIL, PHTO, PPE, PBHL, RELS, SCRP, THTR, TVST, VSCM, WGST, WRIT.

***

Select from 100-499 level courses in ANAT, BIO, CHEM, ENVS, GEO, PHEV, PHYS.

†

Select from 100-499 level courses, including T380-T480, in AFAS, ANTH, CJS, CS, ECON, ENSS, ENVS, PSCI, PSY, PBHL, SOC, WGST.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study  

4 year, 1 co-op (Fall/Winter)

*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

Choose any upper-level VSST course for Visual Studies (VSST) elective.

See degree requirements for list of Graphic Design electives.

4 year, 1 co-op (Spring/Summer)

*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

Choose any upper-level VSST course for Visual Studies (VSST) elective.

See degree requirements for list of Graphic Design electives.

Co-op/Career Opportunities

Potential employers include advertising agencies, publishers, printers, independent and in-house design studios, museums and galleries, magazines and newspapers, and television. Training in visual communication prepares an individual for careers in many fields because the problem-solving methods and organizational skills it builds are widely applicable.

Co-op Experiences

The following is a sampling of graphic design co-op employers:

• Comcast
• Esquire
• The Franklin Institute
• Hasbro
• Intuitive Company
• National Constitution Center
• Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Philadelphia Union
• Quirk Books
• Razorfish
• WebLinc

Career Opportunities

Our Graphic Design alumni go on to successful careers in a range of positions including lead designer, creative director, art director, interaction designer, user experience director, and owner or partner of firms. Some of the companies where you will find our alumni include:

• AgileCat
• America's Test Kitchen
• Ann Taylor Inc
• Apple
• Bloomberg
• Blue Cadet
• Brooks Brothers
• Comcast Corporation
• Conde Nast
• eCity Interactive
• ESPN
• exit
• Facebook
• The Franklin Institute
• Intuitive Company
• Kikkerland
• Longwood Gardens
• Marvel Entertainment
• Michael Graves Design Group
• National Constitution Center
• QVC
• Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Sesame Workshop
• Time Inc.
• Under Armour
• Vera Bradley

Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.  

Facilities

The Graphic Design studios are located on the fourth floor of the URBN Center in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design. There are five dedicated studios equipped with up-to-date electronic and traditional tools. Studios have work surfaces for traditional practices that will accommodate 15 students and wall surfaces for critiques or posting examples of printed work. In addition, students have access to a dedicated, non-scheduled graphic design “open lab” equipped with all necessary technology and work surfaces.

Graphic Design Faculty

Emeritus Faculty