Coordinator, Digital Media and Design
M.F.A., Kent State University
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OVERVIEW
Creating impact that addresses strategic communication needs is at the core of BW's graphic design major.
The major, which is part of the digital media and design program, will help you develop the technical skills and creative vision needed for this dynamic career field.
Coursework in communication, art and computer science provide a strong foundation for the program. You'll learn how to create compelling visuals, write targeted messages and enhance web and media usability through photography, programming and graphic design.
Real-world focused, the major offers diverse hands-on learning and portfolio-building opportunities that showcase your work.
A required internship enables you to apply classroom concepts to practical situations. You'll build an impressive website and create collateral materials that solve client communication needs.
BW's proximity to Cleveland puts you within easy access to networking, internship and job shadowing connections at corporations, government and nonprofit agencies, advertising and media organizations, and more.
Students have opportunities to showcase their work at Fawick Gallery and the annual BW Senior Graphic Design Show. Jessica Dukles '16 exhibits her senior portfolio at the Senior Graphic Design Show.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- Web design
- Graphic design
- Multimedia news producer
- Advertising
- Public relations
- Marketing
- Publishing
CURRICULUM
Offered as a major and a minor, graphic design prepares you for diverse employment opportunities in communication.
Integrative coursework helps you to build competencies in critical thinking, creative and technical design, effective uses of digital media and production techniques.
A related major to this program is the interactive design major. It focuses on advanced computer programming, user interactivity and database connectivity as they relate to digital media and design.
The digital media & design: graphic design major prepares students to:
- Define, recall, and demonstrate design fundamentals
- Design, implement, test and improve an algorithmic solution to a multi-media problem
- Use the creative process to solve visual and/or conceptual problems
- Elicit project requirements from a client, write requirements and specifications and develop and/or design an application that meets those requirements
- Effectively communicate with a range of audiences
- Defend and critique personal work as well as the work of others
- Demonstrate an understanding of professional, ethical, legal and social issues and responsibilities
- Apply creative thinking to utilize the appropriate techniques, skills and tools to create and execute a compelling solution to a design challenge
- Understand the value of and produce a high-quality portfolio, resume and branding materials to interview and continually market themselves as a professional designer
STUDENT EXPERIENCES
Small class sizes, individual attention and faculty mentoring are at the core of BW's digital media and design program.
Experiential learning bridges classroom study with real-world opportunities. You can enhance your studies through internships, co-curricular activities and other learning opportunities that include:
INTERNSHIPS
BW's proximity to Cleveland puts you within a 20-minute drive to outstanding opportunities. Most students have multiple internships prior to graduation.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
Independent study offers students enrichment opportunities beyond the classroom for individualized and advanced study. Students work one-on-one with a faculty member.
FAWICK GALLERY
The gallery holds six exhibitions each year that feature student work and Ohio artists.
STUDENT CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
Personally and professionally rewarding, student organizations and activities foster career skills, leadership and teamwork. Opportunities include:
Art Attack Club
The club provides opportunities for students to learn about the fields of studio and visual arts to help prepare them for careers in the visual arts or for further study.
Digital Marketing Center
A hybrid between a class and an internship, BW's Digital Marketing Center is a student-run, experience-driven agency offering digital marketing expertise to local businesses. In addition to gaining portfolio-building, real-world experience and networking opportunities, students can earn certifications from digital marketing applications like Hubspot and Hootsuite.
STUDY ABROAD BOOSTS CAREER MARKETABILITY
The opportunity to experience another culture and gain an international perspective is invaluable to your professional development and will add to your career options. Benefits include:
- Understanding art and design issues from an international perspective
- Expanding cross-cultural communication and problem-solving skills
- Preparing for an increasingly diverse and international workplace
- Broadening academic horizons
- Improving language skills (although most classes are taught in English)
- Experiencing a different culture
- Building an international network of contacts
ALUMNI SUCCESS
FACULTY
Art Faculty
Erica L.E. Lull
Coordinator, Digital Media and Design
Associate Professor
M.F.A., Kent State University
Computer Science Faculty
Andrew Watkins
Chair and Associate Professor, Computer Science Department
Ph.D., University of Kent, UK
Kenneth Atchinson
Associate Professor
M.S., Kent State University
Navneet Grant
Assistant Professor
DBA, Cleveland State University
Brian Krupp
Associate Professor
D.Eng., Cleveland State University
Communication Arts & Sciences Faculty
Molly Swiger
Professor
Ph.D., Bowling Green State University
Judi Lakner
Associate Professor
M.A., The University of Akron