Graphic Design

Changing how we view the world
Design is everywhere, part of everything, and you can influence it. In that sense, the world is your gallery. It’s our job to prepare you for the rapid changes occurring in both traditional print and interactive electronic media. We provide a cross-media skill set, so you’ll graduate as a confident, creative design thinker and problem solver who can not only adapt to change but also influence it.
We balance proficiency in software with essential hand skills, such as drawing, painting, collage, model making and experimental processes, because all are important to your success. You can rely on our faculty – all design professionals – to keep you focused and teach you how to use your talents to the best of your ability for all of the good that design can do.
Take a look at our department’s website to learn more.
Awards and Rankings
2019 Highest Honors – Top Graphic Design Schools – Graphic Design USA
#33 in Top 50 Graphic Design Schools in the US – Animation Career Review
“… I traveled to numerous schools in hopes of finding a structured program that would push me... After visiting KCAI, I knew it was the place for me.”
Nick Howlandgraphic design, 2015
Classes
Once you declare your major, graphic design students take the following core courses as they progress from sophomore to senior year. For additional electives and liberal arts courses, download the complete Course Catalog.
Double Major Art History & Graphic Design Requirements
Double Major Creative Writing & Graphic Design Requirements
Sophomore
- Visual Comm I: Graphic Form
- Graphic Design History
- Image
- Typography I: Intro to Typography
- Visual Comm II
- Applied Communication Theory
- Typography II: Type & Meaning
Junior
- Human-Centered Design
- Narrative
- Information Architecture
- Typography III: Typographic Systems
- Professional Practice
- User Experience
Senior
- Design Systems
- Spatial Experience
- Multimedia Experience
- Visual Advocacy
- Senior Studio: Degree Project
- Typography IV: Experimental Typography

Professional Practice
Professional practice is a compulsory component of the KCAI program in which students benefit enormously from insights provided by world-renowned visiting artists, scholars and professionals.

Technical Requirements
All graphic design students must purchase a laptop computer. A DSLR camera is also recommended. Students must master a range of applications, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and more – available through KCAI within the Adobe Creative Suite Cloud.

Jobs + Internships
Graphic design graduates leave with a well-rounded portfolio that will serve them well in professional job interviews. Our robust internship program allows students to gain valuable professional experience in real-world settings. Many have already made connections and gone on to work with local and national design and advertising firms such as Nickelodeon, Airbnb, Salesforce, R/GA, Garmin, the Getty, Populous, VML, DMH, Barkley, Radius, Hyperakt, Design Army, Hint, Pentagram, Fossil and Hallmark Cards.