Graphic Design
Graphic Design is about much more than just designing logos. At WLU, we teach students how to engage in design thinking and user experience to create meaningful and effective design solutions. We also encourage a broad range of visual formats and levels of expression including poster design, publication and zine design, packaging, app design, motion graphics, and branding.
Graphic Design Concentration Description
Graphic Design is the craft of planning and creating visual content to communicate ideas and messages, and it is professionally specialized to connect users or consumers to brands, ideas, and information through creative visual thinking and storytelling.
Life as a Graphic Design Student at WLU
The Graphic Design concentration within the Visual Communication degree program, focuses on the art of communication using images and typography within a wide range of print and digital applications and settings. It exists at the convergence of business and creativity.
Students begin their studies with a targeted foundation program learning art and design theory in a studio setting. As students advance through the Graphic Design program, they focus on specific areas of interest culminating in a comprehensive Senior Project and Exhibition highlighting their areas of strength within the Graphic Design discipline. Upon graduation, students will have a working portfolio and resume preparing them for application to in-office and remote entry-level graphic design positions.
Throughout the Graphic Design program, students will “develop a broad range of skills in visualization, communication, presentation, writing, and technology. These skills provide an excellent foundation for careers in publishing, graphic design, web design, multimedia, arts administration, and specialist careers in the art, design, and digital media industries.”
Graphic Design Student Work
Graphic Design Facilities
Special facilities for this program include a Visual Communication Design classroom with fifteen Macintosh computers, with Internet access, projection system, storage area, and a professional quality laser printer. The Art Program also makes use of a painting/drawing studio, sculpture studio, twenty five-seat lecture room, ceramics studio (located in the Annex building across campus), The Nutting Art Gallery and a printmaking lab. Digital Media Design majors also have access to a Midi lab, state of the art sound recording studio, state of the art television studio and Media Arts classrooms. We are in the process of building a photography studio and darkroom on the second floor of the Student Union. These new facilities will be used for the Photography courses, 3-D Graphic Design, Graphic Design III, Animation courses and the WLU Photography Club.
Graphic Design Concentration Goals
- Develop and implement solutions to problems encountered in all phases of the Graphic Design process.
- Create graphic design through the application of design theories and principles to develop effective design solutions.
- Apply typographic skills and knowledge to create effective graphic design.
- Effective use of technologies to create and manipulate graphic design elements in producing a final product.
- Communicate effectively, credibly, and accurately with clients, supervisors, and target audiences by using a variety of media.
- Apply effective business practices and project management skills appropriate to his/her position in the graphic design field.
- Academic 4-Year Plan(s)
- BS-Visual Communication Graphic Design 4 Year Plan
Graphic Design Course Sequence
Freshman Year
First Semester: Fall
- ART 104 Drawing I
- ART 110 2D Foundation Design
- ART 190 Intro to Computer Graphics
Second Semester: Spring
- ART 160 3D Foundation Design
- ART 244 Graphic Design History
- ART 283 Intro VCD
- ART 285 Photography I
Sophomore Year
First Semester: Fall
- ART 388 Advanced Computer Graphics
- ART 286 Intro to Typography
- ART 245 Design Thinking
Second Semester: Spring
- ART 380 Illustration
- ART386 Advanced Typography
- ART 383 Advanced VCD
- COM 202 Communication in the Professional Sphere
Junior & Senior Years
- ART 342 History of Art II
Junior First Semester: Fall
- ART 295 Fundamental of UI/UX Design
- ART 495 Motion Graphics
- ART 389 Publication Design
Junior Second Semester: Spring
- ART 400 Brand Design
- ART 493 UI/UX Design Advanced
- ART 484 Packaging Design
- Senior Project Plan: Students submit Senior Project Proposal
Senior First Semester: Fall
- ART 483 VCD Studio Senior
Second Semester: Spring
- ART 486/DMD490 Senior Project
Graphic Design Internships
Another strength of the WLU Art program is accessibility to many possible internships. As part of the required practicum in their upper level coursework all students work with real world clients. Recent clients include:
- 4-H Foundation of Hancock County
- ANXIETY AND PANIC DISORDERS PROGRAM – Wheeling Hospital
- Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network
- Echo International
- Grand Vue Park and Recreation Center
- The John Fowles Society –identity system, website, posters, etc.
- The Ohio Valley Museum Consortium
- St. Vincent de Paul Parish – Wheeling
- The Strand Theatre Preservation Society
- Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Wheeling
- Pittsburgh Chapter of the AIGA
- YOUTH SERVICES SYSTEM, INC. – Wheeling
- WLU Center for Student Success
- WLU Division of Music website
- WLU International Students Web Page
- WLU Protestant Campus Ministry
- WV Arts and Crafts Guild Biennial Website
Internships are not required but are strongly encouraged and easily coordinated with the Visual Communication Design faculty. Some of these internships include:
- The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars
- Design and Image Studio
- Center for Educational Technologies
- Challenger Space Center
- Oglebay Institute
- Action Images
- WLU IT Department
- Lamar Advertising
Design Scene
Another strength of the WLU Art program is accessibility to many possible internships. As part of the required practicum in their upper level coursework all students work with real world clients. Recent clients include:
- 4-H Foundation of Hancock County
- ANXIETY AND PANIC DISORDERS PROGRAM – Wheeling Hospital
- Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network
- Echo International
- Grand Vue Park and Recreation Center
- The John Fowles Society –identity system, website, posters, etc.
- The Ohio Valley Museum Consortium
- St. Vincent de Paul Parish – Wheeling
- The Strand Theatre Preservation Society
- Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Wheeling
- Pittsburgh Chapter of the AIGA
- YOUTH SERVICES SYSTEM, INC. – Wheeling
- WLU Center for Student Success
- WLU Division of Music website
- WLU International Students Web Page
- WLU Protestant Campus Ministry
- WV Arts and Crafts Guild Biennial Website
Internships are not required but are strongly encouraged and easily coordinated with the Visual Communication Design faculty. Some of these internships include:
- The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars
- Design and Image Studio
- Center for Educational Technologies
- Challenger Space Center
- Oglebay Institute
- Action Images
- WLU IT Department
- Lamar Advertising
Resources
Computer & Technology Specifications
Blank Schedule for Pre-Registration
F111 Graphics Lab – Open Schedule
Nutting Gallery Openings
Local Design Opportunities and Events (Free AIGA Online events, Studio Tours, etc)
Another strength of the WLU Art program is accessibility to many possible internships. As part of the required practicum in their upper level coursework all students work with real world clients. Recent clients include:
- 4-H Foundation of Hancock County
- ANXIETY AND PANIC DISORDERS PROGRAM – Wheeling Hospital
- Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network
- Echo International
- Grand Vue Park and Recreation Center
- The John Fowles Society –identity system, website, posters, etc.
- The Ohio Valley Museum Consortium
- St. Vincent de Paul Parish – Wheeling
- The Strand Theatre Preservation Society
- Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Wheeling
- Pittsburgh Chapter of the AIGA
- YOUTH SERVICES SYSTEM, INC. – Wheeling
- WLU Center for Student Success
- WLU Division of Music website
- WLU International Students Web Page
- WLU Protestant Campus Ministry
- WV Arts and Crafts Guild Biennial Website
Internships are not required but are strongly encouraged and easily coordinated with the Visual Communication Design faculty. Some of these internships include:
- The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars
- Design and Image Studio
- Center for Educational Technologies
- Challenger Space Center
- Oglebay Institute
- Action Images
- WLU IT Department
- Lamar Advertising