MSU-Northern Graphic Design program

Graphic Design

The Montana State University-Northern Graphic Design program integrates traditional visual arts education with current technology to prepare designers for both print and electronic media. Drawing, design, and painting courses provide a foundation focusing on development of perceptual skills and visual conception abilities. Students are expected to continue to build on those skills and abilities. Students are expected to continue to build on those skills and abilities in subsequent courses. These foundation courses also provide the student with experience in a broad range of traditional art materials and techniques.

After gaining vital experience in the art foundation courses, students enter into the core graphic design courses. In these courses the students apply their design knowledge using typography, illustration, and photography. They are also introduced to the software applications utilized by the graphic design industry for print and electronic publication.

In their junior and senior years, student designers develop and refine their problem-solving abilities working on authentic graphic design assignments. Students design materials to be printed and materials to be published on the web using the Macintosh platform and industry-standard software. Student designers gain more experience with photography, using both film and digital formats. Computer applications are utilized for creating projects such as illustrations, page layouts, web pages, web banners, and web animations.

In their final graphic design course at the University, student designers complete a number of self-promotional projects and assemble a professional presentation portfolio. A portfolio presentation and interview with a faculty panel culminates the career of the student designer and signifies their readiness to enter the field as a professional.

A portfolio of work will be assembled by each student as a visible demonstration of skills and abilities, and as a presentation portfolio for employment purposes. Employment possibilities for those receiving a Graphic Design degree would include, but not be limited to desktop publishing designer with a business or nonprofit organization, designer or layout artist with a commercial printer, advertising illustrator, technical illustrator, scientific illustrator, advertising designer, television computer graphics designer, web site designer, and product or package designer.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ARTS & SCIENCES, AND NURSING