Graphic Design Course of Study
Graphic Design at ArtCenter cultivates innovative designers with leadership skills.
Students develop sophisticated typographic and image-making skill sets working across both emerging and traditional media—everything from letterpress to data visualization and packaging to spatial experiences—to create emotionally resonant messages.
Curriculum is subject to change.
For students entering Fall 2026 and Spring 2027
| TERM 1 | |
| Writing Studio OR Writing Studio: Intensive | 3 |
| Communication Design 1: Primer | 3 |
| Type 1: Fundamentals | 3 |
| Design 1 | 3 |
| Sketching for Communication | 3 |
| Materials of Art and Design | 3 |
| TERM 2 | |
| Art of Research | 3 |
| Motion Design 1 | 3 |
| Communication Design 2: Information and Context | 3 |
| Typography 2: Structure | 3 |
| Art Direction 1 | 3 |
| Brand Concepts | 3 |
| TERM 3 | |
| Intro to Modernism OR 3 credits of HHIS OR HNAR | 3 |
| Package Design 1: Design Principles | 3 |
| Communication Design 3: Narrative and Scale | 3 |
| Type 3: Context | 3 |
| Visual Interaction Design 1: Intro to UI | 3 |
| TERM 4 | |
| Graphic Design History 1 | 3 |
| Communication Design 4: Identity Systems | 3 |
| Mid-level Portfolio Review | 0 |
| Type 4 | 3 |
| Intro to Transmedia 1 | 3 |
| TERM 5 | |
| Graphic Design History 2 | 3 |
| Communication Design 5: Transmedia | 3 |
| Type 5: Transmedia OR Type 5: Motion OR Area-of-Emphasis Studio (GCDR, GMOT, GPKG, GPRT, GTRA, GVXD) | 3 |
| Area-of-Emphasis Studio Elective | 3 |
| TERM 6 | |
| Transdisciplinary Studio | 3 |
| Area-of-Emphasis Studio (GCDR, GMOT, GPKG, GPRT, GTRA, GVXD) | 6 |
| TERM 7 | |
| Business 101 OR Business and Professional Practice electives | 3 |
| Final Portfolio Review | 0 |
| Area-of-Emphasis Advanced Studio (GCDR, GMOT, GPKG, GPRT, GTRA, GVXD) | 3 |
|
Area-of-Emphasis Studio (GCDR, GMOT, GPKG, GPRT, GTRA, GVXD) |
3 |
| TERM 8 | |
| Portfolio and Career Preparation | 3 |
| Area-of-Emphasis Advanced Studio (GCDR, GMOT, GPKG, GPRT, GTRA, GVXD) | 3 |
| Area-of-Emphasis Studio (GCDR, GMOT, GPKG, GPRT, GTRA, GVXD) | 3 |
| ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS | |
| Humanities & Sciences electives: | |
| Humanities | 3 |
| Social Sciences | 3 |
| Science & Technology | 3 |
| Business & Professional Practice | 3 |
| Any of the above | 15 |
| Studio electives | 0 |
| TOTAL | |
| Total H&S units | 45 |
| Total Studio units | 87 |
| Total Required Units | 132 |
One of the greatest gifts we get as instructors is the ability to learn from students as well.
Ty Drake Graphic Design Faculty