Graphic & Experience Design (Bachelor)
To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the Learning Outcomes website!
The Graphic & Experience Design program is a part of the Department of Graphic and Industrial Design. The Graphic & Experience Design program awards a Bachelor of Graphic & Experience Design (BGXD), a professional degree, recognized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The program blends user experience and user interface design (UX/UI) with traditional graphic design practices like branding, typography, service design, and exhibition design. Students create interfaces, digital products, brands, and environments that are embedded in larger experiences. Through project-based assignments, students acquire strong formal and conceptual skills framed by a human-centered approach. Upon entry to the program, students establish a comprehensive design foundation through sequenced core studios paired with specialized courses in typography, design systems, design history and design theory. Students then progress to advanced studios that enable in-depth exploration of special topics such as data visualization, branding, accessible design, and artificial intelligence. Students interact with organizations through these upper-level studios—often including sponsored studio projects—and through internships to gain experience working with clients and end-users.
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing | |||
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 | |
| Design Elective | |||
| GD 303 | Graphic Design Theory and Practice 1 | 3 | |
| GD 217 | Typography and Technology 1 | 3 | |
| GD 317 | Typographic Language, Writing, and Reading 1 | 3 | |
| GD 203 | History of Graphic Design 1 | 3 | |
| GD 417 | Information and Publishing Design Systems 1 | 3 | |
| Design History Elective | 3 | ||
| Design Electives | 6 | ||
| Studio | |||
| D 100 | Design Inquiry I: Methods and Processes | 3 | |
| D 104 | First Year Studio I | 6 | |
| GD 201 | Design, Context, and Experience 1 | 6 | |
| GD 202 | Designing for Settings, People, and Use 1 | 6 | |
| GD 210 | Image and Tech Tinkering 1 | 6 | |
| GD 301 | Branding, Interaction, and Service Design 1 | 6 | |
| GD 400 | Advanced Graphic Design Studio 1 | 6 | |
| Advanced Studio Electives 1 | 12 | ||
| GD 401 | Graphic Design Practicum 1 | 3 | |
| Mathematical Sciences | |||
| Mathematical Sciences Elective | 6 | ||
| International Experience | |||
| International Experience (verify requirement) 2 | 0 | ||
| General Education Program (GEP) Courses | |||
| GEP Humanities | 6 | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 6 | ||
| GEP Natural Sciences | 7 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Free Electives | |||
| Free Electives 2 | 8 | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | ||
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
- 2
Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.
Design History Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARC 241 | History of World Architecture | 3 | |
| ARC 242 | History of Western Architecture | 3 | |
| HA 201 | History of Art from Caves to the Renaissance | 3 | |
| HA 202 | History of Art From the Renaissance Through the 20th Century | 3 | |
| HA 203 | History of American Art | 3 | |
| LAR 444 | History of Landscape Architecture | 3 |
Design Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADN 212 | Photography I | 3 | |
| ADN 219 | Digital Imaging I | 3 | |
| ADN 272 | Introduction to Printing and Surface Design | 3 | |
| ADN 273 | Fibers Materials and Processes | 3 | |
| ADN 281 | Drawing I | 3 | |
| ADN 312 | Photography II | 3 | |
| ADN 319 | Animation I | 3 | |
| ADN 384 | Painting I | 3 | |
| ADN 386 | Sculpture I | 3 | |
| ADN 414 | Color and Light | 3 | |
| ADN 419 | Creative Technology Studio I | 3 | |
| ADN 472 | Advanced Surface Design | 3 | |
| ADN 481 | Drawing II | 3 | |
| ADN 486 | Sculpture II | 3 | |
| ARC 162 | An Introduction to Architecture | 3 | |
| GD 492 | Special Topics in Graphic Design | 3 | |
| GD 494 | Internship in Graphic Design | 3 | |
| GD 495 | Independent Study in Graphic Design | 1-3 | |
| ID 292 | Special Topics in Industrial Design | 1-3 | |
| ID 492 | Special Topics in Industrial Design | 1-3 | |
| ID 494 | Internship in Industrial Design | 1-6 | |
| ID 495 | Independent Study in Industrial Design | 1-3 | |
| LAR 292 | Special Topics in Landscape Architecture | 1-3 | |
| LAR 492 | Special Topics in Landscape Architecture | 1-3 |
Advanced Studio Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADN 204 | Art + Design Sophomore Studio Spring | 6 | |
| ADN 460 | Creative Technology Studio II | 6 | |
| ADN 470 | Fibers and Surface Design Studio | 6 | |
| ADN 480 | Creative Technology Studio III: | 6 | |
| ARC 401 | Architectural Design: Urban | 6 | |
| GD 400 | Advanced Graphic Design Studio | 6 | |
| GD 490 | Graphic Design International Studio | 6 | |
| ID 401 | Advanced Industrial Design Studio I | 6 | |
| ID 490 | Industrial Design International Studio | 6 | |
| LAR 200 | Landscape Architecture Introductory Studio | 6 | |
| LAR 400 | Landscape Architecture Studio | 6 |
Mathematical Sciences Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| GC 320 | 3D Spatial Relations | 3 | |
| HON 291 | Honors Special Topics-Mathematics | 3 | |
| LOG 201 | Logic | 3 | |
| LOG 335 | Symbolic Logic | 3 | |
| MA 335 | Symbolic Logic | 3 | |
| PHI 250 | Thinking Logically | 3 |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| D 100 | Design Inquiry I: Methods and Processes | 3 |
| D 104 | First Year Studio I | 6 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 |
| Mathematical Sciences Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GD 203 | History of Graphic Design | 3 |
| GD 210 | Image and Tech Tinkering | 6 |
| Mathematical Sciences Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GD 201 | Design, Context, and Experience | 6 |
| GD 217 | Typography and Technology | 3 |
| GD 303 | Graphic Design Theory and Practice | 3 |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GD 202 | Designing for Settings, People, and Use | 6 |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| GD 317 | Typographic Language, Writing, and Reading | 3 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GD 301 | Branding, Interaction, and Service Design | 6 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| GD 417 | Information and Publishing Design Systems | 3 |
| GEP Natural Sciences | 4 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GD 400 | Advanced Graphic Design Studio | 6 |
| Design History Elective | 3 | |
| Design Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Natural Sciences | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Advanced Studio Electives | 6 | |
| GD 401 | Graphic Design Practicum | 3 |
| Design Elective | 3 | |
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Advanced Studio Electives | 6 | |
| Free Electives | 8 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- *
Spring Semester of Junior Year or Fall Semester of Senior Year coursework may be taken at the Prague Institute or other approved international program to fulfill the department’s International Experience Requirement (observing a six credit minimum workload). Summer coursework in industrial design or other College of Design major (observing a rising Junior or above standing in home major) may also fulfill the International Experience Requirement (also observing a six credit minimum workload).