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 (starting fall 2022– spring 23)

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) and either ARST 1060 (Color & Composition) OR ARST 1080 (3-D Design).

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 the School-wide 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 (starting 2022–23)

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 only 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 only in spring semesters.  

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 and ARGD 2030, most other graphic design courses are (typically) available to accepted 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. For Apple financing information here.

Admission to the Graphic Design Major (2021–22)

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 in 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.

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.