Graphic Design Major
Start designing your future
Whether your passion is in digital illustration, motion graphics, web design, typography or branding design – we’ll help you bring your creative vision to life.
The Graphic Design program at UNI focuses on the latest trends and technology in the field, with coursework in identity systems design, user experience design, motion graphics, web and interactive design and more.
Our state-of-the-art labs are fully equipped with the latest software and programs, and you’ll learn from professors who are experts in the industry.
Our students regularly win awards in local, regional, and national competitions, and many of our graduates go on to start their own successful design firms, or work for companies such as Apple, Motorola and DreamWorks.
Student to
Faculty Ratio
With small class sizes, our students get individualized attention from their professors, who are dedicated to helping them reach their artistic and professional goals.
Scholarship
Funding
There is roughly $25,000 in scholarships available for students in our department.
Award
Winning
Our students regularly earn awards from the American Advertising Foundation design competitions.
Find out More About Graphic Design
Fill out your information here and we'll be in touch!
Contact us directly at:
Department of Art
104 Kamerick Art Building
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0362
Phone: 319-273-2077
Email: artdept@uni.edu
Graphic Design at UNI
Careers
Our Graphic Design graduates put their skills to use at small start ups and Fortune 500 companies. Our alumni are working at companies, including:
- Apple
- DreamWorks
- IBM
- Motorola Mobile
- Meredith Publishing
- IKEA
- Red Bull Media House
- Visual Logic Group
- VGM Forbin
- And more
Our alumni hold positions as Creative Directors, Art Directors, Design Managers, Web Designers, UX/UI Designers and Motion Graphic Designers.
Courses
Graphic Design I: Exploration of the fundamental building blocks of Graphic Design. This course introduces key concepts of graphic design. Aesthetics, methods, processes, context and production as related to Graphic Design is explored through a series of projects that introduces visual and conceptual frames common across the industry. Students develop skills in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
Motion Graphics: Students learn how to use Adobe After Effects and Adobe Audition to create motion designs which involve animated design, video, sound, and interactive graphics. This course is a parallel approach of learning software while working through conceptual and analytical thinking skills to accomplish assigned motion projects.
User Experience (UX) Design: Students will participate in various exercises to understand the fundamental theories and methods within UX/UI design. With the completion of given tasks and practices, students will implement a project within UX/UI for a product and mobile app design. Students utilize Adobe CS, Adobe Dimension and Adobe XD to finalize development of UX/UI design.
The best part of my major is the endless opportunities you have through graphic design. We have the tools to do so much and create without boundaries and it’s really amazing.
Career Prep
In the UNI Department of Art, we don’t just talk about career readiness – we incorporate it into our programs. All first-year students attend a weekly symposium on career options in the arts and design. Juniors and seniors can take courses that cover building a resume and preparing a portfolio. In addition, we host an annual Portfolio Night for our graphic design students, and have ample opportunities for you to connect to professional organizations in the arts and education field.