Drake Graphic Design students work on projects in a well-lit campus computer lab

Graphic Design Majors

For websites, marketing materials, and visual storytelling, aesthetics are just the beginning. B.A. and B.F.A. in Graphic Design students at Drake University blend technical expertise with a strong liberal arts foundation, developing a distinctive creative voice that sets them apart.

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College of Arts & Sciences | On-Campus

What You'll Learn

All Art and Design programs at Drake begin with the same principle: mastering any creative field begins with a strong foundation in the traditional studio arts and art history before mastering their own medium. As a Graphic Design major, you’ll study fine art, craftsmanship, and design theory while gaining hands-on experiences in campus labs and professional internships.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) curriculum promotes broad exposure to ideas and methods across the arts and sciences, preparing students for diverse academic, civic, and professional pathways that involve design. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) program prepares students for careers in graphic design, visual communication, interaction design, or related creative industries and also provides a strong foundation for graduate study in design and allied fields. Both programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

All Graphic Design majors learn to communicate creatively in small classes—typically 10 to 20 students—while getting individualized guidance from faculty mentors and professors who are professional artists, scholars, and designers. For assignments, well-equipped studios offer extended hours and access to advanced hardware and graphic design software--the same tools industry professionals use, ensuring you’re prepared to use the tools and technologies shaping the field today.

Grounded in a liberal arts education, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, empowering you to champion ideas, tackle communication challenges, and adapt to an evolving creative landscape.

About the B.A. and B.F.A. in Graphic Design Programs

Courses, discussions, seminars, and hands-on studio experiences are designed to spark your curiosity and deepen your artistic engagement.
You’ll take courses in art history, drawing, and 2D and 3D design before advancing to design theory, typography, and visual communication principles.
You’ll benefit from regular access to studios, labs, and workshops beyond class hours, receiving a hands-on, practice-based education that supports creative exploration and technical mastery.
Numerous internships in Des Moines and beyond broaden your professional experience, gaining industry insights and valuable networking opportunities

Program Format

On campus
Full time
120 total credits; 42-75 credits for the major

B.A. in Graphic Design

Offering a general studies focus, the Bachelor of Arts is ideal for students interested in exploring disciplines that intersect with and extend beyond design. Your studies will include foundational skills in art history, drawing, and visual design while emphasizing a liberal arts curriculum. Seniors participate in a capstone course that encourages them to synthesize skills and ideas from across their studies in preparation for continued growth in design-related or interdisciplinary fields.

B.F.A. in Graphic Design

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree provides professional preparation for various graphic design careers—advertising, illustration, and web, mobile, and packaging design, among them. Most credits are devoted to art and design or design-related coursework. The program culminates in a capstone project, where you’ll develop and present a professional portfolio, positioning you for success in the field. Graduates emerge from the program equipped to navigate complex design systems, collaborate effectively within diverse teams, and contribute meaningfully to the future of the graphic design profession.

Graphic Design Minor

Learn how design functions in today’s media-rich environment. You'll explore design thinking, typography, visual systems, and communication strategies through studio-based courses in graphic design and its history. For students outside the Department of Art and Design.

Double Major

Students in the B.A. in Graphic Design program are encouraged to pursue double majors and cross-disciplinary studies. Popular second majors include Digital Media, Magazines, Public Relations, Business Studies, Data Analytics, Computer Science, and Biology. The B.F.A. precludes the ability for students to take a second major, but they may find they benefit from a minor in a different area.

John Fender

Associate Professor, Art & Design; Department Chair, Art & Design

Sang Lee

Assistant Professor, Graphic Design

Neil Ward

Associate Professor, Graphic Design

Pointing to a laptop screen, a Drake Graphic Design professor guides a student through an assignment

Mentorship

Each of the Art and Design department’s eight full-time faculty are as dedicated to teaching and mentorship as they are to their craft. You’ll get personalized guidance from professionals eager to help you cultivate your vision and grow as a designer.

Two Drake Graphic Design students collaborate on a project for an internship

Internships

Drake Graphic Design students gain real-world experience through internships and part-time jobs with non-profits and businesses in and outside Des Moines, including People Inc. (formerly Dotdash Meredith Corp.) and the Des Moines Art Festival.

A Drake Graphic Design student hashes out in idea in their notebook while sitting in front of a laptop

Studios, Labs, and Workshops

Graphic Design majors have access to two advanced computer labs featuring industry-standard hardware and software, as well as dedicated spaces for manual processes, including letterpress, that provide opportunities to experiment with traditional design techniques.

Standing in front of a series of monitors, a Drake Graphic Design student explains their True Blue branding project to a group of classmates

Collaborative Projects

In the real world, design is rarely a solo endeavor. As a Graphic Design major, you’ll collaborate with fellow students and faculty on projects for the Anderson Gallery, student publications, and community organizations, both on and off campus, gaining valuable teamwork and project development experience.

Two Graphic Design students study an exhibit in one of Drake University's galleries

National and Professional Organizations

Drake students can meet other designers and build their networks through the Art Director’s Association of Iowa (ADAI) and the American Advertising Federation of Des Moines.

A Drake Graphic Design student sits on a stool in a campus studio

Merit Scholarships

Entering first-year and transfer students are encouraged to apply for an Art and Design Fine Arts Scholarship. Students pursuing a double major that includes a program in Art & Design are encouraged to apply. Apply here. For more information, email artdesign@drake.edu.

Careers & Skills

Many B.F.A. majors go on to work for corporations, marketing companies, publishing companies and agencies, and interactive development firms, and others pursue graduate degrees in art and design. B.A. majors have developed a personal approach to design and are prepared for continued growth in design-related or interdisciplinary fields.

Your professional path ultimately starts here. Along with internships and part-time jobs, many Graphic Design majors develop layouts and visuals for the Drake Community Press and other student-run publications, take J-Term courses in bookbinding, blacksmithing, and textiles, or create mobile apps with School of Journalism and Media Communication students.

Employers

VML Commerce
Amazon Web Services
Hallmark Cards
Pella Corporation
Garmin
DesignIQ
Wonderstruct
Oklahoma City Thunder
People Inc.
Marketing agencies

Skills

Conceptual, formal, and technical design skills
Critical thinking
Problem-solving
Visual communication
Collaboration and workplace communication
A process-oriented approach to design

A Drake Graphic Design student works on an assignment featuring a drawing of a house from their laptop

Salary & Growth Outlook

Median pay for graphic designers as of 2024. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

“The goal of the People Inc. apprenticeship program has always been to give students an opportunity to build their portfolio with professional work, and I am extremely glad that I had that opportunity. It meant a lot to get that kind of recognition from professionals in the industry that I was hoping to join.”

Annie Fuhrman, AS‘10

Art History, BA

Studies art across cultures and time periods, emphasizing critical analysis and historical context for careers in museums, education, or research.

Studio Arts, BA or BFA

You’re driven to create—it’s your passion and how you see your career unfolding. As a Studio Art major at Drake University, you’ll work with dedicated faculty committed to cultivating your talents as you hone your vision as a contemporary artist, working within areas such as painting, printmaking, drawing, or sculpture.

Studio Arts, Minor

Build on your talents and vision as a contemporary artist in a studio arts minor, working within areas such as painting, printmaking, drawing, or sculpture.

Take the Next Step

As a Graphic Design major at Drake, you won’t just learn the language of design but also how to tell visually impactful stories.

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Sitting cross legged in a classroom, a Drake Graphic Design student reviews art books for inspiration