Graphic Design (MA)

The MA in Graphic Design & Digital Media emphasizes professional and career development with advanced study of the field and encourages students to extend their design skills into content creation, authorship, entrepreneurialism, and social innovation.

Semester 1

• GR 616: Making Ideas Visible

  Major

   3 Units

• GR 617: Type Forms

  Major

   3 Units

• IXD 600: Digital Graphics

  Major

   3 Units

Semester 2

• GLA 615: History of Graphic Design

  Graduate Liberal Arts

   3 Units

• GR 618: Visual Literacy

  Major

   3 Units

• GR 619: Type Composition

  Major

   3 Units

Semester 3

• GR 601: Type Systems

  Major

   3 Units

• GR 604: The Nature of Identity

  Major

   3 Units

• GR 620: Visual Thinking

  Major

   3 Units

Semester 4

• ADV 695FA: Future Agency

  Major Elective

   3 Units

• GR 700: MA Portfolio Seminar

  Final Portfolio

   3 Units

• IXD 606: User Experience Design

  Major

   3 Units

Degree Requirements

• Successful completion of Final Portfolio Review.

• Minimum grade of C in all required 36 units.

• Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirement:
  1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic Sensitivity course

Additional Information

• Graduate Liberal Arts

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Critical & Creative Thinking

• Conduct appropriate research to identify problems and potential solutions

• Demonstrate the resourcefulness and flexibility necessary to conceive and execute design solutions

Conceptual Skills

• Create compelling and engaging visual communications that convey appropriate messages and ideas

• Address problems through a design process

• Create visual communications demonstrating competent formal design skills which include: hierarchy, typography, aesthetics, composition and construction of meaningful images

• Demonstrate competence in media, materials, tools, technology, and techniques

Professional Readiness

• Effectively present and communicate ideas

• Demonstrate the skills necessary for chosen career path through the presentation of a cohesive body of work

Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:

• Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.

• Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.

• Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.

• Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.

• Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.

• Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.

• Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.

• Engage with a variety of communities beyond the classroom through internship opportunities, study abroad programs, athletics, student interest clubs as well as collaborative, civic and pro bono projects.