The Graphic Design area program at the Lamar Dodd School of Art prepares students to communicate ideas and experiences by integrating visual and textual content across various media. Its course of study develops effective visual responses to communication problems. Professional graphic design practice is diverse and dynamic; thus, the area of Graphic Design stresses a strong grounding in design and communication fundamentals like typography, information hierarchy, concept development, and visual exploration.

The program aims to prepare students for creative lives and professions related to visual communication with a variety of courses that develop abilities in collaboration, build an understanding of audiences, and encourage experimentation across media. The program encourages an interdisciplinary approach to design and benefits from the wider offerings within the School of Art and the greater University.

The Graphic Design program is only offered at the undergraduate level. Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree with a concentration in graphic design must submit work for review to be accepted into the major through the School-wide portfolio review process. Learn more about the portfolio review process by which undergraduate students apply to their area of emphasis here, and find more information about BFA course requirements at the Lamar Dodd School of Art here.

Graduates secure positions in a variety of creative positions in firms ranging from boutique design studios that focus on motion, experience, or branding design; to the entertainment and publishing industries; to in-house creative departments for museums, apparel brands, and digital companies. Alumni have secured positions at the following firms and companies, including:

  • CNN & Turner Broadcasting
  • IBM Design
  • Evernote
  • Facebook
  • Bustle.com
  • Free People  
  • Inc. magazine
  • Aveda
  • Icon ATL
  • Son & Sons Marketing
  • Gensler New York
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Primal Screen
Admission to the Graphic Design Major

Students interested in pursuing the Graphic Design concentration must enroll in ARGD 2010, Graphic Design Survey (prerequisites: completion of ARST 1050 and 1060 or 1080). Multiple sections of ARGD 2010 are offered each academic year but typically in the fall semester only. After successful completion of ARGD 2010, students continue in ARGD 3020 Graphic Systems and ARGD 3030 Typography. During this term, students are eligible to apply to the graphic design major via the School-wide area portfolio review.  (Note that enrollment ARGD 2010, 3020 and 3030 may be limited due to area instructional resources.) 

A progress review may be held in the first semester (ARGD 2010) in which Graphic Design faculty determine continuation in the Graphic Design coursework based on grades, effort, participation, and professionalism. 

Successful completion of the spring portfolio review results from area faculty judgment of various facets of student work and performance including the pieces submitted (exploration, conceptual approach, execution, and craftsmanship), candidate's grades, professionalism, and participation in the course, as well as the area’s resources.

Graphic Design Area Degree Completion

Once accepted into the Graphic Design area, it will take a minimum of four additional semesters for students to complete the program of study due to required course prerequisites/sequencing. Note that required graphic design major courses are rarely offered in summer. Some students may choose to accrue studio elective credits during summer sessions through the School’s summer studio course offerings, via internship course credit or various study abroad programs. (Note that graphic design (ARGD) courses are offered in UGA study abroad programs only intermittently.)

Required Equipment

In their first semester of major coursework students accepted as graphic design, majors are required to have a Mac laptop with current Adobe Creative Cloud software. Be sure to choose the educational subscription pricing option. Details regarding current minimum machine requirements will be provided once students are accepted into the area. Shop at UGA’s Apple Education Store for student pricing on Macs. For Apple financing information here.

Visit the website of the Graphic Design area for more information.