Art - Graphic Design
Overview
With a focus on creative problem-solving skills, typography, and image creation, you will be well prepared to enter the competitive field of Graphic Design.
Students graduating from the Graphic Design sequence enter successful careers in design studios, advertising agencies, and corporate and institutional design offices. These graduates design communications for applications on the web, video, and various multimedia applications as well as for traditional print-based media.
Study in the program develops an understanding of perceptual theory, typography, layout, illustration and interactive options within the field. Following the basic art foundation courses, the Graphic Design sequence introduces students to various technical skills including computer software applications. The cohesive sequencing of courses allows the student to build skills and knowledge upon a strong fundamental core towards a highly sophisticated level of work that successfully combines type and image into creative visual communication.
Point of Pride
Students benefit from the Wonsook Kim School of Art’s strong relationship with University Galleries in nearby Uptown Normal, which hosts internationally recognized exhibitions throughout the year.
Why study Art - Graphic Design?
After graduation, Wonsook Kim School of Art students take on a variety of careers as artists, curators, designers, educators, critics, scholars, conservators and writers. Our alumni continue to be a part of the Wonsook Kim School of Art after they leave campus, and we continue to harness professional relationships and networking connections between them and our current students.How to Apply
Applying to Illinois State
New freshmen will initially apply to the Art major. Students interested in this sequence will submit a five-piece admissions portfolio to the Wonsook Kim School of Art upon The University accepting the admissions application. While in the middle of Graphic Design II, students can choose to apply to the Graphic Design sequence.
For readmitted students only. Students interested in this program will apply to Art, then be asked for more specific information as current students to gain admission to the sequence.
Applying to Graphic Design
The Graphic Design sequence in the Wonsook Kim School of Art at Illinois State University is a competitive and rewarding experience in design. A wide range of courses challenges students and provides experience with creative problem-solving skills, typography, image creation, interactivity, design history, cultural awareness, and more.
Students wanting to study in the Graphic Design Sequence must have a major and cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better, and demonstrate competency through a review of their digital portfolio. Graphic Design applicants will be prospective transfer or Illinois State students who either are in progress of completing or have completed Graphic Design II.
Digital Portfolio Format
Content to include in the portfolio should be eight to 10 projects from graphic design classes and two to three projects from several possible categories (client-based work, personal graphic design projects, or work from any other art classes such as photography, sculpture, or printmaking). See a sample portfolio.
Format the content into:
- Cover page: Name, email address, current school, and semester of application
- Table of contents: Name of the project, project circumstance (which design class, art class, client)
- One page for a text introduction per project: Include title of project, class or client, semester and year, software/materials used, dimensions, and a brief description up to 100 words. (Any necessary links such as YouTube and Vimeo may be added here as well.)
- Up to two more pages for content per project: Showcase the project through images. Maximum of two images on a page, maximum of five images for each project.
Digital Portfolio Submission
Email your PDF portfolio to Graphic Design Area Coordinator Peter Bushell at phbushel@IllinoisState.edu.
- The subject of your email must be “Graphic Design Portfolio Review TERM”
- Your attached PDF must be a single multi-page PDF, 10MB maximum
- Your PDF must be named as: YourLastName-YourFirstName-YourApplicationTerm.pdf (i.e., Redbird-Reggie-Summer 2020.pdf)