Program Description
The Graphic Design minor is intended for students interested in augmenting their academic major with the physical, technological, aesthetic, and conceptual skills associated with a design discipline. Courses will include foundational emphasis on visual communications, design methodologies, image making, typography, and the production of work in both physical and digital form. Coursework may also include an introduction to communication theory; contemporary issues in communication, audience, and context; and formal research methodology. Advanced courses in the minor degree will apply the students’ design acumen towards practical coursework within the context of their declared major. A Minor Capstone Studio will situate students within an appropriately rigorous environment for the application of design methods.
What is Graphic Design?
Visual communication. Packaging. Information. Branding. Connecting people with ideas and products and places. Aesthetics. Typography. Web, mobile apps, and interface development. Visual marketing. Information architecture. Interaction design. Crafting user experiences in the built and digital worlds. Helping companies reach consumers. Making causes memorable and accessible. Carefully considered communication of concepts to diverse audiences. Making ideas beautiful and information exciting. Graphic design explores systems, methods, and strategies for integrating typography, imagery, and form into a visual language that creates value, elicits emotion, and fosters understanding. Simply put, graphic design is an extraordinarily rich toolset for communicating the human experience.
You Might Like This Program If...
- Bad typography on billboards and passing trucks drives you nuts.
- You love words and images and colors.
- You are engaged and creative, digital and analog.
- You like art, advertising, psychology, and entrepreneurship.
- You defy classification and don't like being stuck in ruts.
Designers are agile thinkers and creators who blend concepts and craft, art and ideas. If you’re interested in everything and love challenges, graphic design could be your ‘thing.’
Entrance into the graphic design minor is based on a portfolio review. The portfolio will consist of examples of visual work, an original poster design, and a statement of intent.
Program Requirements
Program Requirements
| Requirement |
Credits |
| Requirements for the Minor |
21 |
Requirements for the Minor
For a minor in Graphic Design a minimum of 21 credits is required.
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| GD 100 | Introduction to Graphic Design  | 3 |
| GD 101 | Design Foundation I | 3 |
| GD 102 | Design Foundation 2 | 3 |
| GD 200 | Graphic Design Studio I | 3 |
| GD 201 | Typography 1 | 3 |
| GD 405 | Minor Advanced Studio | 3 |
| GD 406 | Minor Capstone Studio | 3 |
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee’s unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Erica Quinn
Stuckeman School Undergraduate Academic Adviser
127 Stuckeman Family Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-5985
stuckemanadviser@psu.edu
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF GRAPHIC DESIGN
30 Borland Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-0345
ndb2@psu.edu
https://stuckeman.psu.edu/gd
