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Graphic Design

Also offered as: Minor , Undergraduate Option

Build a career-ready design portfolio through intensive study in typography, branding, interactive media and motion graphics. EIU's Graphic Design B.F.A. adds advanced studio work, client-facing projects and close mentorship from faculty with real professional experience.

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Graphic Design

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Degree Level
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Delivery
In Person
Time to Degree
8 Semesters
Credit Hours
120 Total, 80 in Major
Careers
Etchers, Engravers, Web, Designers
Graphic Design students at EIU

Why Study Graphic Design at EIU?

  • Get the most intensive design training EIU offers, with expanded studio hours across the full design process
  • Complete real client-facing projects with local businesses and institutions before you graduate
  • Work closely with faculty whose professional experience includes branding, environmental graphics, exhibitions, creative direction and motion media
  • Gain access to dedicated labs, Adobe Creative Cloud, photography, professional printing, vinyl cutting and binding equipment
  • Round out your design skills with electives in communication, entrepreneurship, or journalism
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"The education and hands-on experience that I received through EIU’s graphic design program has been invaluable to my professional career. I was encouraged to explore new areas of study in addition to being provided with opportunities to get involved with clubs and campus organizations. I owe my current accomplishments to the collective efforts of the professors, staff, and my fellow peers at EIU."
Grace O'Brien
Class of 2020 | Senior Graphic Designer, University of Illinois
Grace O'Brien, Graphic Design at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Collaborate with local businesses and institutions on client-facing design projects
  • Create publication work with designers, photographers, editors and writers through Blueroom Magazine
  • Tour design studios and meet alumni and working professionals through department programming
  • Student Collaboration Grant funding for independent creative projects
  • Present work in critiques, annual juried exhibitions and a capstone group exhibition
Explore Courses
Hands-On Experience, Graphic Design students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The Graphic Design B.F.A. is EIU's most immersive path for students who want to make design the center of their undergraduate experience. You will begin with broad art and design foundations, then complete an intensive sequence in typography, graphic design, interactive design, motion graphics, art history and professional practice.

Program 4-Year Sequence
View in Catalog
$45,927
Median Salary for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

  • Etchers & Engravers
  • Web & Digital Interface Designers
  • Video Game Designers
  • Art, Drama, & Music Teachers,…
  • Art Directors
  • Graphic Designers
  • Special Effects Artists & Animators

Career Insights

Job Outlook ★ Bright Outlook Bright OutlookBright Outlook careers are ones with a promising future. They're expected to grow quickly, to have lots of job openings, or to be brand new and emerging. A career earns the label if it meets any one of these: projected growth of 5% or more, at least 75,000 projected openings, or New & Emerging status.
Grow Rapidly: Jobs in this career are expected to grow 5% or more over the next several years, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics projections.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor Grow Rapidly
Preparation Needed Considerable (4/5)Job Zone 4: Considerable preparationMost of these careers require a four-year bachelor's degree. They also tend to build on several years of work-related experience or training.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit ArtisticArtistic interest typeYou like to create. This could mean visual art, performance, writing or music, or using design to shape objects and materials.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Connect With Us

Chris Kahler
Chair, Art + Design | Interim Director, Tarble Museum of Art
cbkahler@eiu.edu
2670 Doudna Fine Arts Center
217-000-0000
Chris Kahler Message Chris

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or email cbkahler@eiu.edu directly
Samantha Tableriou
Associate Professor - Graphic Design + Typography
stableriou@eiu.edu
2822 Doudna Fine Arts Center
217-549-2160
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Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

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