Graphic Design Degrees in Texas (A-R)
The Lone Star state which is home to both Dell and Compaq is known as the South’s Silicon Valley, and the accredited graphic design degree programs in Texas help to contribute to the state’s reputation as a technology hub. Other popular industries represented in Texas include mining, logging, oil and gas, health care, construction and tourism. Nearly all businesses operating in these growth sectors rely on skilled graphic designers to bring their product and service brands to life. Texas is also known for its independent spirit and doing everything on a large scale. These characteristics are notably seen in the state’s higher education options. Here are some details about the available graphic design degree programs that best help Texas students to prepare for creative design careers as well as advanced studies in the subject. To see more graphic design degree programs, visit Graphic Design Degrees in Texas (S-Z).
Angelo State University
Department of Visual and Performing Arts
Angelo State University’s (ASU) Department of Visual and Performing Arts administers fine arts programs in the areas of art, music and theater. The school’s art programs instruct participating students in painting, ceramics, sculpture and graphic design. The students benefit from the school’s practicing artist faculty, designated learning spaces that are specially equipped according to subject matter and opportunities to display their work throughout the ASU campus. Music programs at ASU include course topics on music history and theory as well as the opportunities for students to hone practical playing skills on their chosen instrument; students can also prepare for teaching careers in music through a special program. Theater students learn to design sets, perform, write plays and direct performances.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art-Graphic Design
ASU’s 120 credit hour, four year Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Studio Art with a specialization in graphic design degree offers a comprehensive curriculum that features both the fundamentals of art and advanced concepts used within industry. Enrolled graphic design students take courses in art history as well as basic drawing and design topics. After taking these foundational courses, students are presented with opportunities to experiment with the organization of design elements and analyze specific design flaws. Basic digital design courses and ones that focus on the use of computers in the creation of design solutions are taught to prepare students for careers supporting the growing technology sector. Besides the program specific courses offered, ASU’s graphic design curriculum features a heavy sprinkling of humanities and social science course topics that help give art students context and inspiration for their work. Students also benefit from more practical and experiential learning opportunities in the form of internships and portfolio development projects.
Accreditations
- Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC)
Contact
2601 W. Avenue N.
San Angelo, TX 76909
(325) 942-2085
visualperformingarts@angelo.edu
http://www.angelo.edu/dept/arts/art/four-year-plan/ba-art-graphic-design.php
Baylor University
College of Arts & Sciences
The College of Arts & Sciences at Baylor University administers academic programs that are designed to promote critical thinking, analytical skills and communication abilities throughout its student body. The variety of degree program disciplines offered through the college reflects the interdisciplinary nature of its curricula. For example, academic majors within the College of Arts & Sciences vary to include those in the performing arts, foreign language studies, philosophy and physics. During their studies at the college, students develop the necessary problem solving skills and ethical values that are needed to be successful in any of these disciplines.
B. F. A. Graphic Design
Baylor University’s B.F.A. in Graphic Design degree program includes numerous design, drawing and visual art theory courses that are balanced with a variety of liberal arts topics. The program which is taught by award winning faculty has a low student to teacher ratio ensuring that each student receives adequate instruction for visual design problems. Graphic design students also attend class and studio sessions in well equipped facilities that feature updated Macintosh design workstations and quality printing capabilities. Prior to graduation, a graphic design student must complete two capstone requirements in the form of a written exam and a presentation of a research based portfolio. They also must take at least one marketing course since a significant number of Baylor graphic design graduates obtain employment at advertising agencies. Baylor University’s graphic design degree program also makes internships available to students who want to get a head start garnering relevant job experience.
Accreditations
- SACS-COC
Contact
One Bear Place #97344
Waco, TX 76798-7344
(254)710-3361
Art_Support@baylor.edu
http://www.baylor.edu/art/index.php?id=55162
Lamar University
College of Fine Arts and Communication
Lamar University’s College of Fine Arts and Communication is part of the Texas State University school system and provides numerous degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate school levels. The college offers a rich mix of academic programs that include performance arts as well as functional communication studies such as speech pathology. Students enrolled in the fine arts college are afforded unique opportunities to broaden their educational experiences through interdisciplinary projects and other collaborative efforts. Lamar University’s degree program curricula are supported by engaging faculty who immerse themselves in industry relevant research and inspire the same intellectual curiosity in their students.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
Lamar University’s B. F. A. in Graphic Design curriculum is crafted to prepare students for employment in the industry’s top design firms. The degree program is a combination of foundational and advanced level design course topics, university core curriculum classes and supporting electives. For example, the 120 credit hour program includes major specific courses like the fundamentals of design, typography, brand identity, motion design, digital imaging, illustration and web design. If you are interested in web design, be sure to check out Top 10 Online Web Design Degree Programs. Some of the supporting art electives that students enrolled in the B.F.A. in Graphic Design program take are printmaking, sculpture, painting, drawing and art history. Lamar University core curriculum courses that help to give students a framework for their creations include literature, philosophy, history and political science. B.F.A. in Graphic Design students also take a course in portfolio development which provides them with skills that they can use throughout their academic and professional careers. For example, students enrolled in this degree program are required to present and defend a portfolio of their work as seniors; this project accompanies a written thesis that is required for degree completion.
Accreditations
- SACS-COC
Contact
4400 MLK Pkwy.
PO Box 10009
Beaumont, Texas 77710
(409) 880-8141
luart@lamar.edu.
http://fineartscomm.lamar.edu/art/academic-programs/graphic-design/degree-bfa-graphic-design.html
Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design
Lamar University offers Department of Art students the opportunity to combine their love of design with a minor outside of the studio art discipline. Although the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Graphic Design degree curriculum is not crafted to prepare students for direct entry into top industry design firms, it includes many of the same course topics taken by students enrolled in the more rigorous B.F.A. in Graphic Design program. For example, students must take basic, major specific courses in visual design, typography, digital imaging, brand identity and illustration. Popular departmental electives include art history, photography and the history of graphic design. Some of the Lamar University core curriculum course topics include mathematics, foreign languages, English and political science. The B.S. in Graphic Design curriculum differs from the one for the B.F.A. in Graphic Design because it allows students to take 24 credit hours of electives for a minor area of study. For instance, students can major in graphic design and minor in marketing or computer science. Many Lamar University B.S. in Graphic Design degree graduates continue their studies with advanced degrees in design, business or architecture. All Lamar University graphic design students have numerous scholarship opportunities available to them to offset program tuition and fees.
Accreditations
- SACS-COC
Contact
4400 MLK Pkwy.
PO Box 10009
Beaumont, Texas 77710
(409) 880-8141
luart@lamar.edu.
http://fineartscomm.lamar.edu/art/academic-programs/graphic-design/index.html
McMurry University
School of Arts and Letters
The McMurry University School of Arts and Letters administers undergraduate degree programs in fine, performance and language arts. The goal of the school is to help students to develop creative talents, excellent communication skills and leadership abilities. Through the school’s comprehensive degree program curricula, engaging faculty and unique experiential learning opportunities, students gain the skills and confidence that they need to successfully enter a variety of career fields. For example, students enrolled in the School of Arts and Letters have opportunities to exhibit their projects at campus galleries and art studios. Music and theater students conduct actual performances throughout the school year and take part in all aspects of performance production. The school even offers an avenue for students to publish their visual and written creations in a student produced literary magazine which provides great work experience and exposure for future artists and other professionals.
Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art in Graphic Design
McMurry University’s Bachelor of Arts (B.S.) in Studio Art in Graphic Design degree program allows students to display their creative talents within a liberal arts context. Courses include basic and advanced studies in design, drawing, digital imaging, web design and illustration. The program notably sets aside a number of course credit hours for a minor area of study that is complementary to the art discipline or completely different from it. Graphic design students benefit from the school’s computer laboratory that is equipped with Macintosh design workstations. Students enrolled in this program can compete with other art majors in annual competitions for valuable apprenticeships and studio space. The criteria for acceptance into these work programs include faculty recognized level of student productivity, earned grades and participation in art department sponsored programs.
Accreditations
- SACS-COC
Contact
1400 Sayles Boulevard
McMurry Station, Box 278
Abilene, TX 79697-0001
(325) 793 4700
kmillar@mcm.edu
https://services.mcm.edu/career/links/art/index.html
B. F. A. in Multimedia and Graphic Design
The McMurry University B. F. A. in Multimedia and Graphic Design is a rigorous visual arts degree program that does not require students to choose a minor area of study. Students are instructed in a variety of design techniques through course topics like drawing, design, typography, printmaking and digital imaging. The program also provides a context for student artistic expression by including core course requirements and electives that include history, philosophy, social science, religion and language arts. Besides the school sponsored apprenticeship work programs, graphic design students enforce their theoretical knowledge through local field trips to art galleries and museums. These students also have opportunities throughout their academic careers to travel abroad to some of the world’s greatest studio art venues. Numerous merit based art scholarships are available to graphic design students at McMurry University, and the Perry Bentley Art Scholarship is awarded to qualified, incoming freshmen at the art school.
Accreditations
- SACS-COC
Contact
1400 Sayles Boulevard
McMurry Station, Box 278
Abilene, TX 79697-0001
(325) 793 4700
kmillar@mcm.edu
http://www.mcm.edu/newsite/web/academics/sal/art/
Midwestern State University
Lamar D. Fain College of Fine Arts
The Midwestern State University’s Lamar D. Fain College of Fine Arts seeks to foster creative sensibilities, functional technical skills and cultural ethics in its students. The programs offered by the college include ones in art, mass communication, music and theater. The degree program curricula of the fine arts college reflect the college’s applied learning approach to instruction. This means that theater students participate in playwriting, directing and performing after they learn historical and theoretical concepts associated with the stage. Music students also learn to compose and perform their works regularly. Communication students run the campus radio and television programs as well. These students also benefit from faculty members who instruct them in evaluating their works’ quality and potentially greater cultural impacts.
B. F. A. Graphic Design
The Midwestern State University’s B. F. A. in Graphic Design is administered through the Juanita and Harvey School of Visual Arts. The degree program includes design courses in the areas of web graphics, animation, print and publishing. The comprehensive degree program is designed to prepare students for professional careers in graphic design, advanced degree studies and teaching positions. The 120 credit hour degree program is divided among academic foundation, core curriculum and major specific course work. For example, all students enrolled in this graphic design degree program will likely take courses in topics like history, literature, foreign language, film and music appreciation. Major specific course topics that students can expect to take include print design, photography, web design and portfolio design.
Accreditations
- SACS-COC
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design
Contact
3410 Taft Boulevard
Wichita Falls, TX 76308
(940) 397-2801
jennifer.yucus@mwsu.edu
http://www.mwsu.edu/academics/finearts/art/graphic-design
Although most universities focus on providing students with the tools to correctly express the aesthetic and technical aspects of their work, many graphic design degree programs allow students to gain a broader perspective of how their work can contribute to society as a whole. Students participating in these accredited graphic design degree programs in Texas create work that can positively build up brands of companies or that can highlight social problems that need to be addressed by communities.
