What Graphic Design BFA Students Study
Coursework covers graphic design, typography, brand identity, illustration, web design, digital imaging, motion design and portfolio development. Students design for print, motion graphics, UX and UI and social media, and learn professional practices such as networking and portfolio building alongside the software.
The program is organized around four learning outcomes: Process, Thinking, Making and Connecting.
Degree Requirements
The BFA totals 128 credits:
- 76 credits in the major
- 36 to 44 credits in the university core
- 8 to 16 credits of electives
Students enter the major through a portfolio review after the foundation year, and every BFA student brings a laptop that meets the department’s hardware and software requirements by the fall of sophomore year.
Key Graphic Design Courses
- ART 1050: Fundamentals of Design
- ART 1150: Digital Art and Design
- ART 2000: Art History Survey
- ART 3860: Contemporary Concepts of Art
- GDS 3150: History of Graphic Design
- GDS 3240: Illustrated Spaces
- GDS 3540: Interactive Environments
- GDS 4140 and 4120: Senior Projects and Design Lab
Read full course descriptions in the HPU Undergraduate Bulletin.
A Senior Capstone Built for Hiring
The degree ends in a senior capstone course. Every BFA candidate produces a professional portfolio and a series of original works that establishes an individual voice. That portfolio is what agencies and in-house creative teams review when they hire.
Classroom critiques run through all four years. Graduate Aidan Dietrick credits them with building the confidence he took into his role at the New York Islanders.
Design Labs and Studios
Students build proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite in an Apple Macintosh environment with large-format printers, the Anderson Creative Innovation Lab, the Tech Lab and a lighting studio.
New York and Italy
An annual New York trip takes students through graphic design studios and agencies.
The Grand Tour of Italy, a Maymester called Drawing the Masters, follows the Renaissance artists through Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Siena and Venice. Students complete studio projects in each city and see contemporary work at the Venice Biennale.
Research and Creative Work
Creative work counts as research at HPU. Students present original projects at High-PURCS, HPU’s annual undergraduate research and creative works symposium. At the 14th annual symposium in April 2026, more than 410 undergraduates worked with 88 faculty mentors to deliver 260 presentations across 40 disciplines.
Creative Arts Fellows
The Creative Arts Fellows Program adds a four-year, team-based experience with a dedicated director, plus visits from scholars and practitioners working in the arts.
How Do Graphic Design Students Describe the Coursework?
Every required Graphic Design course in the David R. Hayworth School of Arts and Design is described in the Undergraduate Bulletin, and the Office of Career and Professional Development works with students from their first year. The degree meets the standards of NASAD, and these students describe the classes and mentors behind their work.
Angela Romano
Graphic Design major · Marketing Design Coordinator, Truly Good Foods
“I had the opportunity to travel to Italy with Professor Brown, and I learned so much about art and culture on that trip.”
Emily Longo
Graphic Design major · Intern, Tauck
“My professors played a pivotal role in shaping me as a designer by assigning real-world client simulations, thoughtful classwork and projects, providing consistent feedback and instilling the confidence I needed to pursue the fields I am most passionate about.”
Michael Crowley
Graphic Design major · Athletic Graphic Designer, College of the Holy Cross
“While I was at HPU, my professors taught me how to become a well-rounded designer and to be prepared to design on all platforms.”
It is a professional degree that prepares graduates for careers in graphic design and related creative industries. The program ends with a senior capstone in which each B.F.A. candidate produces a professional portfolio and a series of original works.
The B.A. in Design Studies is a four-year liberal arts degree that pairs well with fields such as social media and marketing. Students who want to become professional graphic designers should consider the B.F.A., which prepares them for professional design careers.
Students gain proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite in a Mac computer environment with large-scale printers, the Creative Innovation Lab, the Tech Lab and a lighting studio. They create designs for print, motion graphics, UX/UI design and social media.
The degree totals 128 credits, with 76 in the major.
Yes. An annual New York City trip tours graphic design studios and agencies, and the Grand Tour of Italy Maymester takes students to Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Siena and Venice to complete studio projects and see the Venice Biennale.
Explore the Graphic Design BFA at High Point University
The Graphic Design BFA curriculum at High Point University runs from foundation studios to a professional portfolio.
Accreditation & Awards Careers & Student Organizations
Questions about the program? Email Mark Brown, chair of the Department of Art and Graphic Design, at [email protected].