Graphic Design Area

The Graphic Design area prepares you to become a visual communicator, critical thinker, and creative problem solver. You will develop advanced technical and artistic skills, and be ready to meet the challenges of a career path that requires preparation in a complex system of aesthetic, conceptual, technological, social, and strategic demands. Through our mentorship and design curricula, you will learn the fundamental value of typography, digital imaging, print and editorial design, information design, motion graphics, packaging, environmental design, identity design, and branding.

You will acquire conceptual, analytical and practical skills through hands-on exploration. At the end of the program, you can choose to pursue independent professional practice or become a member of a creative team in design, advertising, corporate communications, education, publishing, or non-profit sectors.

Graphic Design Courses
Introductory

ART 2450 - Computer Graphics

An introduction to graphic technology and focusing on basic computer literacy for all visual arts majors. Students will explore current hardware and software for existing and emerging computer graphic technology, specifically the Adobe Creative Suite.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: ART 1020 with a grade of C or higher

Hours:
3

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Advanced

ART 3450 - Introduction to Graphic Design

A foundation in the principles and practice of graphic design, which combines art and technology to communicate ideas.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: ART 2450 with a grade of C or higher

Hours:
3

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ART 3460 - Typography

An introduction to letterform design, text, and display type projects. Emphasis will be on legibility and readability, form and counterform, qualities and attributes that constitute a type family, and the development of typographic hierarchical structure within a given design problem. Recommended to be concurrently taken with ART 3450 Introduction to Graphic Design.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisites: ART 2450 and ART 3450

Hours:
3

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ART 4450 - Web Design

An advanced graphic studio course focusing on creating page layouts and styling websites displayed on various devices. Students will explore the web's interactivity, responsiveness, and technical challenges and possibilities.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisites: ART 3450 and ART 3460

Hours:
3

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ART 4451 - Designed Systems

An advanced graphic visualization course focusing on the practical applications of graphic design to audiences.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisites: ART 3450 and ART 3460 with grades of C or better

Hours:
3

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ART 4452 - Digital Media

An advanced studio course focusing on effective visual problem-solving in interactive and motion design.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisites: ART 3450 and ART 3460 with grades of C or better

Hours:
3

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ART 4456 - Experiential Graphic Design

An advanced graphic design course that focuses on finding solutions in integrating information design and wayfinding strategy into a built environment. This course introduces a segue into the graphic design discipline of environmental graphics.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisites: ART 3450 & ART 3460 with grades of C or better

Hours:
3

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ART 4458 - Design Practices & Production

This course prepares students to thrive in the graphic design marketplace. Topics include best practices in business development, project management, professional contracts, intellectual property, and effective file preparation for vendors. Students completing this course will gain the supplemental knowledge required to succeed in existing and emerging markets.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisites: ART 3450 and ART 3460 with grades of C or better

Hours:
3

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ART 4460 - Advanced Typography

An advanced typography course examining the application of visual communication concepts to problems in large-scale projects involving sequential relationships, design systems, corporate identity, and type design.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisites: ART 3450 and ART 3460 with grades of C or better

Hours:
3

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ART 4915 - Special Topic in Art

A detailed study of an art form, medium, style, technique, or other special topic of current interest not covered in catalog listings. May be repeated for a total of up to 9 credit hours.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisites: ART 1010, ART 1020, and ART 1030 with grades of C or higher

Hours:
3

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Letter Press

ART 3310 - Introduction to Book Arts

Organization of ideas and technical problems in book arts. Processes may include various construction, assemblage, and binding techniques, letterpress, and interdisciplinary two- and three dimensional media employed in the construction of the book form.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: ART 1020 with a grade of C or higher or permission of Head of the Department of Visual Arts

Hours:
3

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ART 3300 - Introduction to Letter Press

Organization of ideas and technical problems in letterpress. Processes may include various printing on a variety of presses using movable type, photopolymer plate and linoleum cut and wood cut block printing.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: ART 1020 with a grade of C or higher or permission of Head of the Department of Visual Arts

Hours:
3

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Digital Fabrication

ART 2452 - Introduction to Digital Design and Fabrication

This applied/hands-on studio class presents the foundations of digital fabrication technologies, including laser cutting and engraving, CNC milling, plasma cutting, and 3D printing. Utilizing various software, students will start by manipulating vector (curve) based 2D geometry, and work their way up to simple 3D geometric modeling. Designs created virtually will be optimized for each technology, and then be produced as actual, physical objects.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: ART 1030 with a grade of C or higher or permission of Head of the Department of Visual Arts

Hours:
3

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ART 3452 - Digital 3D Modeling and Printing

This applied/hands-on studio class presents the foundations of 3D modeling and 3D printing. Utilizing 3D modeling/rendering/animation software, students will start by manipulating primitive geometry, such as cubes and spheres, and work their way up to complex organic sub-surface modeling. Designs created virtually will be optimized for Fused Filament Fabrication technology, and then be "printed" as actual, three-dimensional objects.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisites: ART 1030 and either ART 2450 or ART 2452, with grades of C or higher

Hours:
3

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ART 4352 - Advanced Digital Design and Fabrication

This applied/hands-on studio class presents opportunities for advanced use of digital fabrication technologies, including laser cutting and engraving, CNC milling, plasma cutting, and 3D printing. Students will pursue individual solutions to designing and producing objects utilizing one or more of these technologies. Note: ART 4352 may be repeated once for a total of 6 credits.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: ART 3452 with a grade of C or higher or permission of Head of the Department of Visual Arts

Hours:
3

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Textile Design

ART 2600 - Introduction to Textiles

Introduction to Textiles is an exploration of materials and techniques employed in traditional and contemporary fiber art, including dyeing, hand and machine sewing, knitting, crocheting, felting and weaving. An important component of this class is a willingness by students to research and explore the potential of their projects beyond a mastery of techniques.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: ART 1020 or permission from Department Head of Visual Arts

Hours:
3

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ART 3600 - Textile Design I

Organization of design concepts and techniques involved with the surface enrichment of fabric are introduced. These include surface embellishment, dyeing with synthetic dyes, direct application, and printing with pigment.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: ART 2600 with a grade of C or higher or permission of Head of the Department of Visual Arts

Hours:
3

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ART 4600 - Textile Design II

Advanced studio course in the surface design of fabrics, covering in-depth techniques used in contemporary textiles. Students are involved in individual problem solving assignments reflecting personal creative solutions in visual form. A Studio Art or Art Marketing major may accumulate a maximum of 9 credit hours in a series of directed studies in this course.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: ART 3600

Hours:
3

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Art History

ART 3503 - History of Graphic Design

This course examines the history and evolution of graphic design from its beginning to the present. The invention of writing, the manuscript, the graphic renaissance in Europe, the industrial age, the modernist era, the information age and the digital revolution are explored. Changes in subject matter and stylistic concerns, in the contexts of social and political influences upon them, and the different roles and uses of typography and graphic design are discussed. Significant readings are incorporated into class discussions.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: ART 2520 with a grade of C or higher

Hours:
3

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ART 3550 - Modern Art History

A focused examination of developments and changes in Western visual and material culture in the period defined as the modern era in art history, approximately 1800 to 1945. Outside readings are incorporated into class discussions.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: ART 2520 with a grade of C or higher

Hours:
3

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ART 3560 - Contemporary Art Exhibitions

This course examines current trends in art in the last 25 years across the globe. It has been designed to help art majors develop an understanding of the current contemporary art world and introduce them to the most influential artists working today.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:
Prerequisite: ART 2520 with a grade of C or higher

Hours:
3

View Course in Catalog

Studios & Equipment
Dahlonega Campus

Graphics Lab Studio: Hansford Hall, room 212

18 iMacs, 21.5-inch display

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

16 Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Tablets

Epson Color Inkjet Printer

Epson Large-format Flatbed Scanner

1 overhead digital projector

Oconee Campus

Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) Room: Classroom Building, room 313

21 Apple iMacs, 21.5-inch display

Adobe Creative Suite

5 Sony BRAVIA X81CH 55” Class HDR 4K UHD Smart Professional LED TV

1 HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M751 Printer

Gainesville Campus

Graphics Lab/Student Technology Center: Arts and Technology, room 2300

17 iMacs, 24-inch 4K Retina display with Apple M1 chips

Adobe Creative Suite

Glyphs app (type designing software)

Microsoft Office

4 worktables

5 self-healing pads

1 large Mayline Ranger light table

2 Xyron Pro 2500 laminators

Print Room/Teach Support Equipment Room: Arts and Technology, room 2302

1 iMac, 24-inch 4K Retina display with Apple M1 chip

1 Epson Expression 12000XL Graphic Arts Scanner

Canon Pro-4000 large format printer

Epson SureColor P5000 commercial edition printer

HP Color LaserJet Entrepress M750DN Laser Printer

1 large media storage spindle rack

Bundles of various media & foam-boards

1 overhead digital projector

Graphic Arts Advising Guide
Things Graphic Design Majors and Minors Need To Know

The Visual Arts Department has two separate programs and a minor in both Dahlonega and Gainesville: an Art Major with Graphic Design; a Visual Arts B.F.A. in Graphic design; and a Graphic Design minor. Majors will be assigned an advisor based on where they are in the program. The following Graphic Design faculty advisors are Prof. Jon Mehlferber in Dahlonega and Prof. Tiffany Prater in Gainesville.

Consistent and regular communication with your graphic design advisors is mandatory and necessary for successful progression through the B.A., B.F.A. and minor programs. Students planning to pursue the B.F.A. Graphic design program must first communicate with the graphic design faculty and contact the B.F.A. Coordinator.

Students must familiarize themselves with the all-program requirements located on our department website.

Required courses: Students planning to pursue either a B.A. or B.F.A. with a focus in Graphic design must pass the Foundations Portfolio Review first before registering for the 3000 and 4000 level studio and art history courses. Graphic Design minors are excluded from the Foundations Portfolio Review but must take the required courses.

All students must plan on acquiring a laptop

Laptop recommendations.

B.A. students are required to take ART 4850 Internship in Visual Arts to complete their plan of study. B.F.A. students are not required but may register for the internship course to expand their portfolio. This is not available to graphic design minors.

Students must be mindful that the classes are available on each campus through course rotation. Therefore, should students need one last class to graduate on time, which is only available on another campus, they may travel to the other campus, waitlist, or take the course next semester.

Both B.A. and B.F.A. students are expected to join and participate in the events organized by the AIGA Atlanta chapter and the AIGA Student board. Joining this professional design organization is the best way to network and gain internship and job opportunities off-campus.

Opportunities

Graphic Design Internship

Internships are one of the best ways to gain hands-on skills while learning real-world applications and techniques in the graphic design industry. Interact with many creative minds, problem-solve and learn new processes, network, and gain opportunities to hone your critical thinking. Register for ART 4850 Internship in Visual Arts and complete your graphic design internship in local or city design agencies and businesses. Once you locate your internship, contact the Graphic Design advisor!

Where can I find internships? You can find internships in the following links below, or you can phone businesses, agencies, non-profit organizations, or design departments:

Need more help? Check out this Guide to Internship by the AIGA.

AIGA Atlanta Student Board Chapter

The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Atlanta chapter, the 9th largest chapter of the AIGA, is a professional association for graphic designers in the United States. They guide the Atlanta Student board, a dynamic group that shares its passion for design and learning with the community. Joining the Student board is a great way to find internships and jobs, access design workshops, make connections with your design community, and gain mentorship from design professionals.

BFA Graphic Design Society

The BFA Graphic Design Society is diverse community of design thinkers and creatives. Their goal is to educate and provide resources to current students and encourage them to take preliminary steps in starting their graphic design careers. Members will get a chance to learn about design trends, gain information about internship and possible design career opportunities, connect and engage in design conversation.

Establishing Connection...

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