Graphic Design Degrees in Alabama

ITT Technical Institute – Madison

ITT Technical Institute was founded in 1946 and has been headquartered in Carmel, Indiana since 1969. The school is owned by ITT Educational Services, Inc., and offers degrees in technologically related fields. It is the largest private college system that focuses solely on technology-oriented programs. There are seven schools of study at ITT Technical Institute, but the Madison campus only has five of the schools:

• School of Information Technology
• School of Electronics Technology
• School of Drafting and Design
• School of Business
• Breckinridge School of Nursing

The Madison campus is located on Madison Boulevard in Madison, Alabama. The city has been incorporated since 1869 and has a population of over 42,900 people.

Drafting and Design Technology: Associate of Applied Science Degree

The Drafting and Design Technology program prepares students for a career in a variety of drafting and design professions, providing education in computer-aided drafting (CAD) and related subjects. Students also gain experience in traditional types of drafting as well. Courses include:

• Drafting and Design
• CAD Methods
• Sustainability in Design
• Parametric Modeling
• Modeling and Visualization
• 3D Civil Drafting

These and other courses help students develop the skills they need to obtain entry-level positions the drafting and design world. Students who have difficulty distinguishing colors may have difficulty succeeding in this course of study.

Contact Information

ITT Technical Institute – Madison Campus
9238 Madison Boulevard, Suite 500
Madison, AL 35758
Telephone: 888-442-6840
Website

ITT Technical Institute – Bessemer

ITT Technical Institute combines traditional learning with applied concepts, with students spending significant time in the lab environment. As one of the largest private college systems that caters only to technology-based education, ITT Tech offers advisory committees with members from local business to guide each campus in their curriculum. Students attend classes year round with convenient breaks scheduled, and classes are held during day and evening hours.

The Bessemer Campus offers courses through six of the seven schools offered by ITT Tech:

• School of Electronics Technology
• School of Drafting and Design
• School of Business
• School of Criminal Justice
• Breckinridge School of Nursing
• School of Information Technology

The school is located on Park South Drive in Bessemer, Alabama. Students are able to participate in career fairs, open houses, student organizations and other activities.

Drafting and Design Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree

The Drafting and Design Technology program at ITT Tech Bessemer exposes students to fundamental skills necessary to obtain an entry-level position utilizing computer aided drafting (CAD) and other design positions. CAD technology is thoroughly explained, but students are also taught traditional drafting methods as well. Students work on drawings, charts, forms and other projects in both the classroom setting and through laboratory experience.

Students use drawing and light tables, as well as parallel edges, print machines, micro-CAD terminals, plotters and draft printers during their course of study. Smaller tools, such as portable drafting boards, scales, instruments and calculators are also used during the course of study. Students must complete 93 credit hours for successful completion of the program.

Contact Information

ITT Technical Institute – Bessemer Campus
6270 Park South Drive
Bessemer, AL 35022
Telephone: 888-442-6840

ITT Technical Institute – Mobile

ITT Technical Institute offers over 140 campuses in 38 states. The Mobile Campus is located on Cottage Hill Road, and offers six of the seven educational schools available at ITT Tech:

• School of Information Technology
• School of Electronics Technology
• School of Drafting and Design
• School of Business
• School of Criminal Justice
• Breckinridge School of Nursing

The goal of all ITT Tech campuses is to offer quality undergraduate and continuing education to students of diverse backgrounds, abilities and interests. Students are able to pursue their interests, develop critical thinking abilities and provide service to the community.

Drafting and Design Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree

Students use a variety of equipment, including:

• Drawing tables
• Light tables
• Parallel edges
• Micro-Cad terminals
• Print Machines
• Portable drafting boards
• Drafting instruments
• Scales
• Calculators

The equipment helps expose students to the fundamental skills necessary for obtaining entry-level positions in computer aided drafting (CAD) and other design positions. Students learn about CAD technology as well as traditional methods of drafting, working in both the classroom and laboratory setting.

Contact Information

ITT Technical Institute – Mobile
Office Mall South
3100 Cottage Hill Road
Building 3
Mobile, AL 36606
Telephone: 888-442-6840
Website

Samford University

In 1819. Hosea Holcombe helped found the Ruhama Baptist Church on lands that would eventually be adjacent to Howard College. In 1822, Siloam Baptist Church was founded, and, like Ruhama, played an important role in the early years of Howard College. In 1938, Judson College, the first Baptist college for women, was founded in Marion. In 1841, the Baptist State Convention voted to establish a college for men, choosing to name the facility Howard College. The name was chosen to honor John Howard, a social reformer who often risked his own life in an effort to create better conditions for prisoners, and was widely viewed as the model of Christian compassion. Classes began in 1842 at Howard College in Marion. In 1844, a fire destroyed the Howard College building, although the library and most equipment survived. However, in 1854, a second fire caused the death of a student, as well as the college president’s slave, Harry.

During the Civil War, the college was used as a military hospital. In 1871, he college relocated to East Lake and the original campus became the home of the Marion Military Institute. Anna Judge Holcombe became the first female graduate of Howard College in 1896, although co-education was suspended due to a lack of facilities to house both genders. In 1957, the college moved to a new campus in Homewood. In 1965, the college gained university status and renamed itself Stamford University. The name was chosen to honor Frank Park Samford, Sr., a longtime trustee at Howard.

Today, Samford’s enrollment is over 4,800, and students attend from 44 states and 22 countries. The school offers athletics and student organizations, as well as 25 undergraduate and graduate degrees.

BFA in Graphic Design

The Bachelor of Fine Art in Graphic Design provides students with a significant number of classes in art and graphic design. This provides as much exposure as possible to various techniques and processes that are critical to professional success in the graphic design industry. Courses include advertising, motion graphics, letterpress printmaking, typography and the history of graphic design, as well as many other design-related courses.

Students have access to a state-of-the-art computer lab, dedicated to Macintosh computers. The lab is accessible 24 hours per day. New computers are purchased every four years and software is updated on a regular basis. Because of the accessibility of the computer lab, students are not required to purchase a laptop. In fact, the college recommends that students wait until their junior or senior year before investing in laptops in order to have the most up-to-date model during internships. Students are required to complete a portfolio book, website or digital PDF file. Students must also complete an internship, normally in the summer between their junior and senior year.

Contact Information

Kathryn Fouse
Samford University
School of the Arts
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
Telephone: 205-726-2489
Email: kfouse@samford.edu
Website

Spring Hill College

Spring Hill College is Alabama’s oldest higher learning institution, having been founded by Michael Portier, Mobile’s first Catholic bishop, in 1830 It is the first Catholic college in the southeast and the third oldest Jesuit, fifth oldest Catholic college in the United States. Bishop Portier originally purchased 300 acres of land, planning to open a boarding school and seminary. The land, which afforded panoramic views of the city and harbor, was located six miles west of Mobile. The original plan was to educate students under the age of 12 in languages, math, geography and other common subjects of the era.

The school followed a European model, with students attending starting at the age of nine. Notable Mobile families sent their children to Spring Hill High School and college, regardless of their religious affiliation. The high school closed in 1935, but the college continued. The school was progressive, offering Saturday classes in 1932 and admitting women for the first time before many colleges offered co-education. In 1954, prior to the Civil Rights Movement, nine African-American students were admitted to the college, and for ten years, Spring Hill was the only integrated college in the Deep South.

Notable graduates of Spring Hill include Miller Reese Hutchison, who was an assistant to Thomas Edison and Reverend Louis Eisele, S.J., who invented an ink-to-paper system that recorded seismic activity.

Today, Spring Hill College is ranked among the top 20 colleges and universities by US News and World Report. The college has over 1,300 enrolled students, with 62 percent of the student population registered as Catholic. Students contribute more than 20,000 hours per year to the local community, and 85 percent live on campus. The college guarantees students in four-year programs housing for their four years of attendance. In addition, 93 percent of faculty hold either doctoral or the highest degrees in their field. Of those who graduate with communication arts degrees, 93 percent find positions within three months of graduation.

Graphic Design

Students in the Graphic Design program develop a strong background in art history, traditional expression and aesthetic principles, while also creating works using technical and practical applications using the most modern forms. Students develop skills that enhance artistic talents while building a firm basis for employment as graphic designers in a variety of media environments. Students are also prepared for graduate studies in graphic design.

Students learn the basic concepts of 2-D before moving on to 3-D design, using drawing and computer formats. Students take a variety of courses within the Communication Arts Department designed to strengthen computer and desktop publishing skills, as well as familiarize themselves with modern mass media. Students receive a broad background in classic design created using modern applications. The college offers a Mac lab complete with color laser printers, flatbed and film scanners. The latest software is loaded into all computers as well.

Students must provide an official transcript of high school grades that includes at least six semesters and official SAT/ACT scores. Students must also submit an evaluation of achievement and potential from their high school guidance counselor and a personal essay. In some cases, letters of recommendation may also be required.

Graduate Certificate in Studio Art

At Spring Hill College, students that have obtained a Bachelor’s degree or higher may wish to advance their knowledge of studio art, which is why Spring Hill offers a Graduate Certificate in Studio Art. This program is unique in that it facilitates conceptual and technical development in studio art. The program is designed for students who already have a higher level of proficiency in studio practice, but wish to refine their abilities through painting or other media.

Courses include:

• Painting
• Printmaking
• Drawing
• Ceramics
• Sculpture
• Photography

For students who have a background in graphic arts, the Graduate Certificate in Studio Art adds additional art knowledge that will be beneficial to employers. The certificate requires completion of six courses in fine arts, four of which must be in studio art and one in art history. The course ends with a capstone studio class and an exhibition of the student’s work. The graduate certificate may also be completed with the Master of Liberal Arts degree offered at Spring Hill.

To apply for the program, students must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and admission tests may be required. Students must supply official transcripts and test scores at the time of application. Applicants with a GPA of 3.0 are eligible for unconditional admission. The admission process must be completed one month before the intended entry date. Students must complete four core, five elective and the capstone course with a GPA of 3.0 or better in order to graduate from the program.

Contact Information

Spring Hill College
4000 Dauphin Street
Mobile, AL 36608
Phone: 800-742-6704
Website

For information on earning your graphic design degree online, take a look at “Top 10 Online Graphic Design Degree Programs“.