The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design degree offers students an enhanced focus on human-centered and interaction design, typography, branding, and design research. The area provides coursework in print, web, and motion design, with a focus on the traditional design process as well as the latest software techniques.
Program Overview
The degree prepares students to be proficient makers and thoughtful problem seekers and solvers. Students work seamlessly across a range of media, working to identify appropriate solutions for audience and context. Students are exposed to a rigorous curriculum covering research, theory, critical thinking, professional practices, conceptual idea-making, and formal experimentation. With a focus on design for good initiatives, coursework involves design methods that focus on an audience-centric process, exposing students to communication theory, modes of persuasion, sustainability, and how to design for niche audiences.
Application
All incoming undergraduate students apply through general admission to the BA program in the School of Art for their first year. After completing Foundations courses their freshman year, students are eligible to apply to the Graphic Design BFA program.
Facilities
Studios
Students in the Graphic Design program have a designated workspace in a collaborative studio environment in the brand new Studio + Design Center in the Windgate Art + Design District.
Design Lab
Students have access to state-of-the-art equipment in the Design Lab, including a Risograph printer, high-end printers and scanners, and an extensive suite of book binding equipment.
Design Clinic
The UARK Design Clinic is a multi-use space that serves as a classroom, laboratory, design studio and community center. The primary goal of the Design Clinic is to use design to positively impact our region and our state, by building relationships and collaborating with communities.
Led by the Graphic Design program in the School of Art, and housed in the new Studio + Design Center in the Windgate Art + Design District, the Design Clinic is an open and inviting space with street-level access where collaborative initiatives take place between students, faculty and members of the Northwest Arkansas community.
AIGA Student Group
The mission of the UARK Chapter of the AIGA Student Group is to advance design as a professional craft, strategic advantage and vital cultural force. As a registered student organization (RSO) on campus, the group creates opportunities for students in the program through visiting speakers, creative projects and collaborations with the local Northwest Arkansas AIGA Chapter. Contact the group at AIGA.uark@gmail.com or follow them at @aiga.uark on Instagram.
Alumni
Our students participate in competitive internships and leave the program ready for positions at top design firms. Our students have interned or worked at:
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art / Amazon Corporate / Walmart Corporate / Saatchi & Saatchi X / DOXA / Olivet / Archetype / BLKBox Labs / RevUnit / Elkins Design / Rockfish / Menguin / Collective Bias / Acumen Brands / Hayseed Ventures / Mitchell / Barkley / J.B. Hunt / Sam's Club Corporate / Field Agent and many more.