The graphic design and visual experience major is based around hands-on projects and portfolio building. It prepares students for careers in professions including graphic design, photography, web design, emerging media design and video/animation. The students will learn the technologies, trends and principles employed by professionals in these fields.
Graphic Design and Visual Experience, B.A.
CBU's graphic design and visual experience major is a multidisciplinary program that prepares students to think critically, creatively and experimentally in pursuit of creating relevant, meaningful design solutions.
Program Intro
CBU's graphic design and visual experience major prepares students for careers as practitioners and art directors in professions including graphic design, experience design, emerging media, 3D, animation and motion design. This studio-based major gives students a rigorous education that results in a competitive, well-rounded portfolio that stands out in the graphic design industry.
5
Concentrations
23
Required Major Courses
*22-23 required major courses, depending on chosen concentration
Why Study Graphic Design and Visual Experience at CBU?
Learn from Professional, Christian Artists
CBU's graphic design and visual experience program is built with the industry in mind. As a true design program, and premier Christian design school, the program is authored by professional designers with a tested understanding for what makes young designers successful. Best practices, latest technologies, ideation, craft, and business acumen are embedded into the instruction and mentorship – all with the intention of sending the designer out to make an impact for the Kingdom where image, brand and message are paramount.
Gain Hands-On Experience
Program Details
GDM 240: Principles: Innovations in Design
This course surveys the conceptual underpinnings of the major movements in graphic design and digital art. Students will examine visual communication from the earliest human expressions of cave paintings to contemporary design movements to the software breakthroughs of the Digital Revolution.
GDM 315: Practice: Designing Brand Identity
This course will explore how to develop, conceptualize and craft effective design solutions in the form of a visual identity system. Students will design a variety of branding elements and strategy guidelines to visually communicate a core message across an array of products, services, and environments.
GDM 335: Conceptual Image Making
This course will explore how to critically interpret and create meaning in context. Students will design solutions to problems across a variety of media by visualizing conceptual ideas through advanced image-making processes.
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Motion Design
- Photography
- Visual Experience Design
Michael Berger, M.F.A.
Professor of Graphic Design
Office Phone: 951-343-4675
E-mail: mberger@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: W. E. James Building, Room 360
Brett Biermann, Ph.D.
Professor of Graphic Arts
E-mail: bbiermann@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: Adams Suite B8
Dirk Dallas, M.F.A.
Associate Professor of Graphic Design
Program Lead, Graphic Design
Office Phone: 951-552-8628
E-mail: ddallas@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: James Building Room 332
Nancy Ward, M.F.A.
Lecturer of Visual Arts
Professor of Illustration and Design
Office Phone: 951-343-4623
E-mail: nward@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: J353
Christopher K. Wright, M.F.A.
Associate Professor of Graphic Arts
Office Phone: 951-552-8194
E-mail: ckwright@calbaptist.edu
Office Location: W. E. James Building, Room 355
- Examine the principles of professional typography.
- Apply the principles of professional design techniques and best-practices workflows.
- Use the principles of professional photography, imaging techniques, and best-practices workflows.
- Use the principles of professional web design techniques and best-practices workflows.
- Effectively present the initial concepts and final design implementation orally and in writing.
- Apply techniques to solve design problems from creation, through production, to final implementation.
- Work proficiently with the industry standard software.
- Integrate business concepts related to graphic design industry.
- Apply a Christian worldview to the moral and ethical questions inherent in the graphic design industry.
- Articulate the Christian graphic designer’s place in the Kingdom of God.
- Apply techniques of professional presentation and promotion in the graphic design industry.
- Apply techniques of professional graphic design to build a professional portfolio of work.
2021: Ranked “Best for Visual Experience Design” (Intellegent.com)
2021: Ranked “Best Christian Institution” (Intellegent.com)
#1 – Affordablecolleges.com
#1 – Oedb.org
#2 – Collegechoice.net
#2 – Thebestschools.org
#5 – Bestchoiceschools.com
#6 – Bestvalueschools.com
#8 – Guidetoonlineschools.com
#15 – Successfulstudent.org
Over 40 American Advertising Awards have been awarded to CBU design students including:
- “Gold – Elements of Advertising—Still Photography, Campaign”, National Competition
- “Gold – Out-of-Home—Poster”, National Competition
- “Gold” State Competition
- “Best of Show” State Competition
Student Work
Career Possibilities
Design is taking a lead role in business and broader culture. Companies where design sits at the core of their philosophies, such as Apple, Tesla and AirBnB, are succeeding in unprecedented manners. Designers are in high demand to craft the user experience. Graduates from the CBU Graphic Design and Visual Experience program are uniquely equipped and sought after candidates to enter the new economy, as well as uniquely trained to start their own design firms.
- Graphic Designer
- Animator
- Illustrator
- Photographer
- Art Director
- Director of Creative Services
- UX/UI Designer
- Creative Director
- Web Designer
Related Programs
Ready to See Differently?
Discover. Define. Ideate. Prototype. Test. Our demand of the student is simple. See Differently.