Undergraduate Programs
B.S. in Communication with a Concentration in Graphic Design: Theory, Research, Practice
The B.S. in Communication with a Concentration in Graphic Design provides a curriculum for undergraduate students who seek professional careers in graphic design. This concentration will prepare students for professional practice and graduate study in creative problem solving for print and electronic media. Students completing this sequence will know how to apply theory to the creation of conventional and unconventional communication objects (that includes but is not limited to advertising campaigns, editorial layouts, corporate communications including annual reports and corporate standards, event announcements, advocacy campaigns, and web pages) that convey information to a target audience.
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Download an informational flyer about the B.S. in Communication with a Concentration in Graphic Design.
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Get to know our Communication faculty:
 Select Faculty Teaching in Communication (.pdf, revised 02.11.2007)
To learn more about the B.S. in Communication with a Concentration in Graphic Design at Rensselaer, use our automated Inquiry Wizard. You can request further information be delivered to you as email attachments or by postal mail. You can also use the inquiry system to send an email directly to Kathy Colman, LL&C Recruitment Coordinator.
Degree Requirements
To earn a B.S. in Communication with a Concentration in Graphic Design, students must take at least 124 total credit hours as follows:
- Major Requirements:
- H&SS Core Requirements:
- Math/Science Core Requirements:
- Open Electives:
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- 64 credit hours
- 24 credit hours
- 24 credit hours
- 12 credit hours
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Students in the concentration will develop key competencies -- in accordance with the NASAD and the AIGA accreditation standards -- that include:
- Identifying and creatively solving communication design problems
- Documenting and managing one's design process
- Gathering audience feedback about the conceptual development of their ideas through prototyping, production, and distribution
- Researching and gathering relevant information that shapes the form and function of their ideas
- Analyzing visual language for meaning
- Generating alternative solutions to a given communication design problem
- Rendering a working model/prototype
- Identifying and evaluating outcomes
- Understanding graphic design business practices
- Rendering a well-designed communication form that shows evidence of expertise in crafting and verbally/visually presenting a creative solution to a given communication design problem that includes an understanding of visual literacy and color theory, principles of visual organization and composition, information hierarchy, symbolic representation, typography, aesthetics, and the construction of meaningful and effective type and image expressions
- Describing and responding to the audiences and contexts that communication solutions must address, including recognition of the physical, cognitive, cultural, and social human factors that shape design decisions
- Understanding of technology and its role in the creation, reproduction, and distribution of visual messages
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The Graphic Design curriculum will progress from introductory courses in foundations training (e.g. color theory, visual literacy theory, communication theory, introduction to visual communication, typography, design history, etc.) to intermediate to advanced courses in design studio topics (e.g., information design, interactive design, social and corporate communications, moving type, type and image).
While the first two years will be devoted to foundations training, the third and fourth years will be focused on the application of theory and research to practical studies. The program culminates the fourth year with each major completing a thesis within their courses and submitting a well-designed digital and print portfolio that shows mastery of the competencies required for professional practice. All portfolios will be exhibited in a group exhibition at the Arts Center in Troy, New York (in collaboration with the Upstate Chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts) at which time each portfolio will undergo a rigorous review by professional graphic designers.
Students must take 64 credit hours specifically required for the Concentration, and all must take the following course:
All students must take one of the following writing courses / course combinations:
Students must also take one of the following writing courses:
All students must take two of the following courses in theory and research:
Students will fulfill remaining credit hours by taking courses from those listed below:
A comprehensive list of courses is provided to advisors each term.
Humanities and Social Sciences Core
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Students must take 24 credits from Institute Humanities and Social Sciences courses, and must take at least one course at the 4000 level.
For complete information, please refer to:
 H&SS Core Program
Students must take 24 credits from Institute Math and Science courses. The following are required courses for the Concentration:
- Calculus I for H&SS (MATH-1500)
- Contemporary Mathematical Ideas in Society (MATH-1620)
- A Computer Science course (CSCI-XXXX)
Students must take 12 credit hours in open electives.
This schedule indicates the distribution of courses needed to complete the degree within eight semesters.
You may wish to use the reference while developing your personal plan of study.
First Year
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SEMESTER 1
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SEMESTER 2
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- Typography
- H&SS Core in art history
- Contemporary Mathematical Ideas in Society (MATH-1620)
- Math/Science Core
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Second Year
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SEMESTER 3
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SEMESTER 4
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- Interaction Design (listed currently as Introduction to Hypermedia Computing)
- H&SS Core in art history
- H&SS Core in art or design
- Math/Science Core
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Third Year
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SEMESTER 5
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SEMESTER 6
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Fourth Year
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SEMESTER 7
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SEMESTER 8
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