Graphic Design

Morgan's Graphic Design program offers an is an undergraduate major concentration in the Visual Arts Program for students pursuing a B.A. in Fine Arts.The Graphic Design track is built around training students in creative problem solving using the latest design standard technology (Adobe Creative Cloud), while also providing cultural and social context to their projects.

The B.A. in Fine Arts provides students with the opportunity to focus on graphic design methods and techniques used in effective design thinking for visual communication.

Graphic designers must learn many skills in order to be competitive in the workplace.

1. They may work with print, film, or electronic media and each of these requires a specific skill set, but all use computers and graphics software to some degree.
2. Designers must learn technical graphic design skills such as typography and learning how to operate desktop publishing software.
3. They will learn marketing skills in order to create effective design concepts. This skill will be developed and refined through experience and learning. Students must be able to think creatively and develop artistic concepts that are eye-catching and can market a product.
4. Designers need a natural sense of style and creativity upon which other skills can be built.

Students with a background in Graphic Design have gone onto become leaders in a variety of fields such as  Art Directors, Creative Directors, Industrial/Product Designers, Apparel Designers, Multimedia/UXUI/Web Designers, and more.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of 120 credit hours are required to graduate with a B.A. in Fine Art. These credit hours are distributed as follows:

General Education and University Requirements: 43 credits

Liberal Arts Core Requirements: 6 credits

Required Core Courses for the Fine Arts Major: 30 credits

Required Courses for the Fine Art Track: 41 credits

TOTAL CREDITS: 120 credits

To qualify for graduation, Graphic Design students must:

1. Pass the Juried Senior Portfolio Review,
2. Complete all of their junior- and senior-level requirements in the major at Morgan (unless granted prior written permission by the Dean to take courses elsewhere);
3. Earn a cumulative average of 2.0 or better and a major average of 2.0 or better, with no outstanding grades below "C" in the major (which includes all courses required for the major and required supporting courses including foreign language requirement).

Some required courses include:

• Basic Design & Color I (ART 109) - This course broadens the student's awareness, understanding and sensitivity toward visual and structural phenomena. Students work in two- and three-dimensional form with the possibilities of free exploration in wire, wood, and clay. Structural design, color, line and value are stressed. Relationship of forms to materials and purpose are stressed.
• Computer Graphics I (ART 284) - Students will develop a mastery of Adobe Creative Suite while being introduced to the techniques and concepts of interactivity and web design. Through coursework, demonstrations, and critiques students will develop the conceptual and technical skills necessary to succeed in a professional environment.
• Typography (ART 280) - This course begins with type that includes spacing and general anatomy of letter forms (types as art). One of the course goals is to create successful typographic compositions. Assignments often deal with solving real design problems, ads, book jackets and magazine layouts.
• Adv. Graphic Design (ART 382) - This course deals with advanced design studio practice and independent design research and experimentation. Students create dynamic and innovative design solutions.

REVIEW ADDITIONAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Morgan's location in Baltimore's diverse arts scene and proximity to major metro areas like Washington D.C. and New York makes it an ideal environment for burgeoning artists. Students are eligible for volunteer and internship opportunities at these and area institutions including the:

• Maryland Historical Society,
• Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture,
• National Gallery of Art,
• Smithsonian American Art Museum,
• National Portrait Gallery,
• National Museum of African American History and Culture,
• and many more...

TIPS FOR FUTURE GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

1.  Learn the Software

Software like Adobe Creative Cloud are the standard platforms used for graphic design. Get a head start and begin using the tools of the trade.

2. Start Volunteering

As you matriculate through your undergraduate program find opportunities to apply your skills in real world experiences.

3. Network

Join professional organizations and attend events to stay abreast of trends in the profession while pursuing career opportunities.

4. Be Bold!

Creativity and innovation are integral to graphic design. Push your boundaries to increase your possibilities.

FAMOUS GRAPHIC DESIGN MAJORS

• Georg Olden, Cannes festival Awards winner, Clio awards winner, AIGA Medalist.
• Milton Glaser, National Medal Award, co-founder of The New York Magazine.
• Neville Brody, Creator of FUSE Magazine, designer of 21 of the most relevant font families.
• Massimo Vignelli, National Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Museum of Design.
• Saul Bass, designer of the most famous corporate logos and poster films, Academy Award winner.
• April Greiman, notable work MOMA, LACMA, SFMOMA, AIGA medalist.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
Provides information about internships, conferences, jobs, artist residencies, fellowships, and graduate schools.

Graphic Artist Guild
For 50 years, the Guild has advocated on behalf of graphic designers, illustrators, animators, cartoonists, comic artists, web designers, and production artists.

The Freelancers Union
Offers job postings, events, and networking opportunities to graphic designers and other creative professionals.

The International Association of Graphic Design Associations (ICOGRADA)
A non-profit, memberbased design organization that was founded in 1963. Icograda establishes best  practices for the design community including regulations for design award competitions and its judges.

Type Directors Club (TDC)
Founded in 1946 and exists to support the best of type design.

The Art Directors Club (ADC)
Founded in 1920 to help clarify the relationship between advertising art and fine art and exits today to inspire creativity in the design industry.