Share your vision with the world with a degree in Graphic Design

Companies and organizations of all types and sizes need creative professionals to bring their ideas to life, whether it's a new logo, a product package, an informational brochure, a sales presentation or a website mock-up. Graphic design is a broad medium that encompasses aspects of visual media, visual communication, design theory and typography. If you want to embrace your creativity, graphic designers flex their creative muscles more often than in many other jobs.

 

Program type:

Major, BFA

Format:

On-Campus

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Man drawing and using a computer to create a graphic design
Overview

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art -

Graphic Design Emphasis

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design offers students the opportunity to explore essential cultural and professional systems through creative visual practice. Students in the Graphic Design program enjoy the benefits of close relationships with the St. Louis visual arts professional community.

Our professors maintain a rigorous program that prepares students for immediate employment as professionals in the creative industry. Students receive professional practice development with a new attention paid to entrepreneurial skills.

Outcomes and Career Outlook

Upon completion of the BFA in Art with an Emphasis in Graphic Design, graduates will be able to develop visual and verbal responses to visual phenomena and organize perceptions and conceptualizations both rationally and intuitively; explain the major achievements in the history of art and design; develop the capacity to identify and/or solve visual problems within a variety of physical, technological, social and cultural contexts; explain and evaluate contemporary thinking about art or design; develop competence in a number of art or design techniques; and make valid assessments of quality and effectiveness in design projects and works of art, especially their own.

Employment of Special Effects Artists, Animators and Graphic Designers is projected to grow up to 4% to 2029, with a median annual salary of $50,710 according to wage and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.



50,710

Median annual salary

4

Employment growth by 2029

Career Opportunities

  • Graphic Designer
  • Digital Artist
  • Animator
  • Package Designer
  • Illustrator
  • Creative Director
  • Web Designer 
  • Marketing Professional
  • UX Designer
  • Art Educator

 

Plan of study

All majors must meet the general education requirements of the university in addition to completing degree-specific curriculum requirements.

Review Full Degree Requirements Review Sample Four-Year Plan

Non-Missouri Residents: Prospective students are responsible for reviewing the NC-SARA state authorizations page to see if this program is offered in their state throughout their program and to review the licensure or certification requirements for the state in which they reside.

Student organizations

Make new friends and learn new skills by joining one of our Recognized Student Organizations. Here are several opportunities you may be interested in as a graphic design major:

Honors College

The UMSL Honors College is a certificate program that can be paired with any major without adding extra classes or extending time to graduate. Classes in the Honors College are seminar-style, meaning that they are based in reading, writing, discussion, and critical thinking. This unique class format fosters an intellectual climate centered around democracy, diversity, civility and academic excellence.

Undergraduate research

We encourage and support students as they engage in exciting activities in and outside of the classroom that enrich their academic and professional understanding of their chosen area of study. All majors are encouraged to participate in Undergraduate Research and Scholarship to produce discipline-specific intellectual or creative innovations to their field.