Graphic Design

An Augustana liberal arts education introduces students to the world of ideas, and gives them the tools to explore that world. The graphic design major and minor encourages you to grow your own unique design process while applying design skills across a range of projects spanning from social concerns to corporate branding.

Graphic design majors begin with study of typography and design in both digital and analog contexts. Core classes provide foundational knowledge from the design field. An expansive list of electives invites you to follow your interests. Advanced studio classes examine the ways in which design shapes culture and fosters creative pursuits. 

Upper-level studio courses provide space and support for design students to make work with their specific life goals in mind. Seniors enjoy flexible Senior Inquiry (SI) options: studio-based project, 4-credit internship or the completion of SI requirement in a different area of study.

Current students and recent graduates...

Go to interesting places: Amsterdam, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, as well as Vietnam, Ireland, Ghana, Morocco and Senegal.

Do interesting work: Make cities greener, improve community health and teach college students. They pursue a variety of paths, including freelancer, professional photographer, grad school assistant, marketing specialist, social media strategist, project manager, web designer, UX/UI, visual designer and more.

Join interesting employers: Audentio, Augustana College, Blooming Color, Crate and Barrel, Dentsu Redder, Healthcare Tech, Heart of America Group, John Deere, National Football League, TCS Educational System, Ruffalo Noel Levitz, Quad City Storm and Spark DSG.

Distinctions

• Graphic design majors at Augustana will draw from their liberal arts education (valuable background for every academic field). As a result, you develop both deeper perspective and broader awareness, fueling your creativity and originality. 
• Beginning classes have only 30 students, and upper-level courses are usually smaller. The close faculty-student relationship is especially important for hands-on work in graphic design.
• A faculty advisor will work closely with you to integrate your experience toward future goals.
• The Quad Cities has different-sized commercial graphic design studios and companies for potential internship opportunities.
• Many Augustana study-abroad programs include an art component. $2,000 with Augie Choice helps cover living and travel expenses.

Recent grads

Olivia Doak '22 is the higher education reporter for the Boulder Daily Camera in Boulder, Colo. 

Andrew Mayszak '22 is a marketing specialist at Rate.

Celina Rippel '21 is the development manager at the Humane Society of Scott County, Iowa.

Annie Wheeler '21 is a senior UX/UI designer at Spark DSG, based in Philadelphia.

Jessamine Burch '20 is the marketing coordinator at Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin.

Austin Elledge '20 is a graphic designer/animator for the National Football League in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jack Harris '20 is the partnerships program coordinator at The Literary Loft in Minneapolis, Minn.

Trang "Tracy" Ngo '19 is a junior art director at Dentsu Redder in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Monica Wierzbicki '18 is a medical illustrator and graphic artist at Body Scientific International in Chicago.

Chelsea Mentado '17 is an event marketing manager at Zipline, based in San Francisco.