The Graphic Design (GDES) Program prepares students to practice visual communication in a competitive global environment. With a student-to-professor ratio of 15-to-1, students experience the benefits of a small class in the setting of a large university. Students in our graphic design program receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. We offer the only NASAD accredited program in the state.
Students receive hands-on design instruction in a professional studio environment that has a strong sense of community among students and faculty. Courses emphasize a systemic approach to design by incorporating cross-disciplinary collaborations and train students to become versatile designers and art directors. The program hosts exhibitions, design symposiums, and guest lectures by industry leaders, and the internship program provides real-world experience and opportunities to network. With the program’s experiential learning approach allowing students to apply their education toward solving real-world problems, this results in a strong portfolio of work as a result of their overall experience and education to present to potential employers.
In addition to courses that focus in print design, the curriculum offers options for students interested in interactive media based design, offering advanced courses to students interested in app design, website design, interactive magazine design, and type in motion. The many fields within graphic design include brand identity, illustration, interactive design, packaging design, publication design, poster, typography, UX/UI, wayfinding, and web design.
The Graphic Design program at Auburn offers many programs unique to the college experience, from student shows to study abroad. The two shows within the Graphic Design program are the Annual Juried Student Show, and the Senior Show. Students seeking to expand their viewpoints and connect with critical issues of the world have the opportunity to Study Abroad, with past opportunities having students take a two-week trip to Ireland in the spring semester of their Junior or Senior year.