Creativity and freedom of expression are encouraged in the Stephens Graphic Design program, where students are taught to communicate information about products, services and ideas in print and digital media.

QUICK FACTS

• Apply your skills and gain practical experience through a required internship in a business or institution
• Obtain practical knowledge from local designers, printers and other communication professionals during guest lectures and guided agency tours
  
• Create a comprehensive senior portfolio, including professional quality work, your résumé and other materials, which culminates in a public exhibition in the Davis Art Gallery
  
• Create designs for local businesses and non-profit agencies; Stephens College's Davis Art Gallery; the Fashion and Performing Arts schools; and Stephens Life, the college newspaper
  
• Study the related fields of Fashion Design and Product Development, Interior Design, Theatrical Costume Design, Filmmaking, Mass Media or Marketing: Public Relations and Advertising
  
• Learn the business skills necessary for owning your own design firm

B.F.A. IN GRAPHIC DESIGN
In Stephens' Graphic Design program, you will learn vital conceptual, strategic creative thinking and problem-solving skills through work with local clients (80% of your work conisits of these real-life projects). You will become prepared to enter the professional world as a graphic designer, whether your goal is to work for an organization or start your own business. With hands-on instruction and critiques in small studio-like settings, you also will develop technical expertise to produce materials.

You will benefit from a balanced curriculum of design, art and design history, studio art, liberal arts and mass media courses. Feel free to dabble in creative experimentation in Stephens studio courses, where you’ll also learn the fundamentals of effective design and production, the history of design technology, and the basis for much of today’s terminology. You’ll also learn essential writing and presentation skills and gain a clear understanding of business practices.

Also available are minors in Art History; Graphic Design; Visual Arts; Mass Media; Marketing; and Management.

FACILITIES
At Stephens, you’ll have access to newly built design labs that feature state-of-the-art Apple workstations, scanners, printers, CD burners, digital cameras and a high-resolution video projector. The facilities are kept up-to-date through software and hardware acquisitions on a continuing basis in order to provide the most realistic workplace experience. Access to the labs is available outside of class time, including evenings and weekends.

The Catharine Webb Art Studios is a creative learning environment with purpose-designed classrooms and work spaces surrounding the Davis Art Gallery. The gallery enriches the Stephens campus and the Columbia community by exhibiting the work of artists of all genders, ages, cultures and styles.

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Stephens students compete in local design contests including the annual Mid-Missouri Ad Federation competition, which is open to both students and professionals at local ad agencies, design firms and broadcast studios. Over the past few years, several students have won gold and silver ADDY awards for their graphic design work.

Students also gain real-life design experience in their classes and during required internships in the field as an integral part of the Graphic Design program.

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