The Graphic Design program aims to prepare students for creative lives and professions related to visual communication design through broad coursework that develops abilities in design fundamentals, collaboration, builds an understanding of audiences, and encourages experimentation across media. The program supports 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 competitive and is only offered at the undergraduate level. To major in graphic design, students must go through a portfolio review process to be accepted into the major after completing initial coursework in studio core and introductory graphic design courses. Find more information about BFA course requirements at the Lamar Dodd School of Art here.

Graduates of the program 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 held positions at the following firms and companies:

Admission to the Graphic Design Major

Graphic Design is a high-demand major and admission is competitive. Students interested in pursuing the Graphic Design concentration should enroll in ARGD 2010, Graphic Design Survey, in the spring of the first year of study in art and design. 

ARGD 2010 prerequisites: completion of ARST 1050, Drawing I OR ARST 1060, Color & Composition.

Multiple sections of ARGD 2010 will be offered each academic year in the spring term. Note that enrollment in ARGD 2010 may be limited due to area instructional resources. After successful completion of Graphic Design Survey, students may apply to the graphic design major via portfolio review. Assessment criteria for the portfolio includes: understanding of design principles, execution and craft, design exploration and investigation, overall organization, curation, presentation of the portfolio, and professionalism and participation in ARGD course(s). The number of accepted majors may fluctuate and is sometimes affected by the area’s instructional resources.

Graphic Design BFA Degree Completion

After completion of ARGD 2010, it will take a minimum of six additional semesters for students to complete the BFA degree program of study due to required course prerequisites and sequencing. Note that required graphic design major courses are not typically offered during summer sessions, although optional or elective ARGD courses are sometimes offered. Some students choose to accrue studio elective credits during summer sessions through the School’s summer studio course offerings, via internship course credit, or through various study away opportunities, such as the School’s New York City Maymester or Cortona, Italy programs. Graphic design (ARGD) courses are offered in UGA’s study away programs intermittently.

Note to Transfer Students 

Students may apply to the Graphic Design major through a competitive portfolio review after completion of ARGD 2010, Graphic Design Survey, at UGA. ARGD 2010 is offered in the spring semester.  

If accepted to the major, the complete BFA program of study is three years of coursework after completion of ARGD 2010.

Aside from ARGD 2010 Graphic Design Survey and ARGD 2030 Introduction to Typography in Visual Communication, most graphic design courses are available to graphic design majors only.

Required Equipment

Graphic Design (ARGD) courses require a Mac laptop with current Adobe Creative Cloud software. Choose the educational subscription pricing option. Details regarding current minimum machine requirements can be found here. Shop at UGA’s Apple Education Store for student pricing. Find Apple financing information here.

Other notes on the Graphic Design Major

Note that ARGD 2030 Introduction to Typography in Visual Communication is not intended for graphic design majors but as a complement to those studying in other art and design majors and/or minors in art/Design + Media, so intended graphic design majors do not need to take the course. Once accepted into the graphic design major, ARGD 3030 Typography I is the required introductory typography course for the major and will cover similar content.