Graphic Design

major, minor

Academics / Departments & Programs / Art and Art History / Academics / Graphic Design Major

Graphic Design

major, minor

Degree Overview

Take a look at this webpage. Or find a t-shirt, book jacket, poster, or logo. Are your eyes drawn to it? Do the images, colors, and typography work together effectively? How can a simple font choice reinforce—or undermine—a message?

At Calvin, you’ll ask these kinds of questions in a small classroom setting, where your professors know you personally and give you individualized attention. You’ll work alongside classmates where you'll collaborate and learn from each other. You’ll learn why centuries-old typefaces are still relevant. You’ll draw connections between traditional letterpress materials and pixels on a screen.

You’ll do more than just make something look good. You’ll learn to solve design problems in the world, and that will open up a wide range of possibilities.

Program Distinctives

Faculty mentorship - Our faculty are invested in you. They’ll push you to learn more about yourself and to find your own voice. They’ll open up your future to a variety of career options, possibilities you didn’t even know existed.
A business bend - Our program offers a mixture of graphic design, art studio, and business classes. Not only will you gain the technical skills of Adobe Suite, you’ll also learn the marketing and entrepreneurial side of graphic design.
Amazing opportunities - Want to double major or study abroad and still graduate in four years? We make it possible. We know that the classes or experiences you have outside your major will help to inform and inspire your art.
An art city - Whether it’s the GRAM art museum, Art Prize, Project 1, the Civic Theater, or other venues, Grand Rapids offers a wide range of opportunities for engaging excursions.

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Degree Information

major
minor

Publish your creations

Join our student literary magazine, Dialogue! You can submit your artwork, join a jury to curate submissions, or help design the layout of the publication.

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Live your art

Travel abroad, create amazing designs, and plug into the local art scene with your fellow artists—all as part of the two-year Arts Collective program.

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You can afford a Calvin education.

You’ve heard a lot about the high cost of a university education. But a Calvin education is much more affordable than you think. Most Calvin students pay far below the sticker price—and graduate with less debt than you might expect.

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U.S. News & World Report ranks Calvin as a Best Midwest Regional University for 2022.

A reputation for excellence.

There’s a reason Calvin gets top marks from U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, and more. Calvin graduates are in demand at grad schools, med schools, and careers in every field.

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