Graphic Design

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What is Graphic Design?

Graphic Design is the art of communicating with an audience through images, words, and ideas. You will address challenges as traditional craft and evolving communication technologies overlap. Our major will prepare you to affect positive change in contemporary social and cultural systems. Your coursework will address graphic design fundamentals like:

Typography
Critical thinking
Image making
Design history and contemporary practices
Research methods
User experience
Social responsibility

You must submit a portfolio before being accepted into this program.

Career Options

Advertising
Communications
Marketing
Multimedia design
Publications design
User interface/user experience design
Web design

Post-Graduation Success¹

79% employed or continuing education

69% employed after graduation

10% attending graduate school

$56,500 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: FCB Chicago (2), Freelance (1), Funky Junque (1) View All

Sample grad school destinations: Eastern Kentucky University, 4A'S Foundation, California College of the Arts View All

Program Resources

College of Fine & Applied Arts Program Webpage Degree Requirements

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

Strong talent review (audition or portfolio)

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Handbook

Graduation & Retention²

4.0 years to degree

97% first-year retention rate

75% four-year graduation rate

88% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs³

Illinois Resident

Tuition: $14,912
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,558
Total: $39,652

Non-Resident

Tuition: $37,588
Fees: $5,182
Expenses:$19,898
Total: $62,668

International

Tuition: $38,630
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,898
Total: $63,710

Related Majors

Advertising - COM

Communication - LAS

¹ Post-graduate data was collected through the Illini Success initiative, which primarily relies on self-reported survey data sources. Statistics are aggregated from the past three years. Please note that total compensation may be greater than annual salary as other forms of compensation (e.g., signing bonus, commission, benefits) are not included. For more information on Illini Success data and methods, please visit the Illini Success website. For average wage or salary information five years after entry into an occupation, visit the Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

² Graduation and retention data comes from several majors within a similar interest area. Data may not yet be available for newly created programs. Years-to-degree data is only available for programs from which you can earn a degree. Retention and graduation rates are only available for programs that you can apply directly into. Retention rates reflect retention to the university, not necessarily retention within the major.

³ "Expenses" are estimated and include books, supplies, housing, and other living expenses. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on where you decide to live, the meal plan you choose, and your overall lifestyle. To learn more about costs, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website. To learn the average monthly student loan payment over a period of 20 years based on estimated cost, visit the Illinois College2Career website.