Graphic Design Degrees in Washington

Turning your passion for art and love for doodling into a rewarding profession can become infinitely easier by attending one of the several accredited graphic design degree programs in Washington. With its position in the lush Pacific Northwest, Washington has nearly as many educational opportunities available as evergreen trees. Aspiring graphic designers who take advantage of these learning experiences will develop the visual communication expertise needed to design advertising campaigns, brochures, magazines, websites, corporate reports, and more. Then, degree holders can join the more than 4,250 graphic designers employed across Washington who are earning an above-average mean annual salary of $55,030. If you’re ready to leap into an in-demand creative profession, check out the following graphic design degrees offered to Washingtonians.

Central Washington University

College of Arts and Humanities

Situated on a beautiful 380-acre rural campus in the college town of Ellensburg in the Kittitas Valley within just 110 miles east of Seattle, Central Washington University is a comprehensive public state supported teaching institution with more than 11,000 students enrolled. Well-known for being among the state’s fastest-growing schools, CWU is currently ranked as the 51st best regional college and 13th top public university in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. Also acclaimed for the 127th best fine arts programs in America, the College of Arts and Humanities houses the Art Department to awaken the creative potential of its students.

BFA in Graphic Design

As a discipline-specific art studio program, the BFA in Graphic Design at CWU is designed to prepare undergraduate students with the artistic skills and multimedia knowledge necessary for successfully entering the workforce as graphic designers. With an emphasis on critical thinking, the 107-credit curriculum allows students to explore digital and print media starting in the freshman or sophomore year. Before entering the final year of studies, students must complete a cooperative education summer internship at an approved off-campus setting and pass a portfolio review. Students will take courses in drawing, typography, computer art, art history, photography, illustration, layout design, graphic art, advertising, and corporate graphic design for building confidence in their artistic merit.

Accreditations

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Contact

400 East University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 963-2665
art_dept@cwu.edu
http://www.cwu.edu/art/bfa-graphic-design

Cornish College of the Arts

Art, Design, Film & Media

Initially founded in 1914 by pianist Nellie Cornish based on the pedagogical theories of Maria Montessori, the Cornish College of the Arts is an accredited private non-profit art school based on an urban campus in Seattle’s eclectic Denny Triangle and Capitol Hill neighborhoods. With an enrollment of over 750 students, Cornish is recognized as a premier college for design and houses the West Coast’s oldest music conservatory. In the Art, Design, Film & Media Division, students share a studio base to work alongside peers from various specialist areas and further define their career interests.

BFA in Design – Graphic Design Concentration

Through a robust “360 degree” plan, the BFA in Design at Cornish is focused on introducing students to a wide collection of artistic practices to develop the full spectrum of skills necessary to effectively express their own visions through design. First, students will complete core coursework to develop time-honored skills in drawing, systems analysis, and 3D fabrication before selecting a concentration. Those who concentrate in Graphic Design will tailor their hands-on projects, workshops, lectures, mentorships, and internships to facilitating growth in the visual communications. All design majors are required to purchase a Mac laptop outfitted with Retina Display, Applecare, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Adobe Font Folio before classes start.

Accreditations

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Contact

1000 Lenora Street Floor 5
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 726-5141
dcho@cornish.edu
http://www.cornish.edu/design/

Eastern Washington University

College of Arts, Letters & Education

Headquartered on a main 300-acre rural campus in the town of Cheney with extension centers in Spokane, Bellevue, Everett, Seattle, Kent, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Yakima, Eastern Washington University is a major comprehensive public teaching institution serving over 13,000 students annually. Classified as an inclusive university with an 82 percent acceptance rate, EWU is ranked as the 66th best regional college, 22nd top public school, and 21st best college for veterans in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. In the College of Arts, Letters & Education (CALE), the Art Department seeks to provide coursework that develops cultural understanding and aesthetic appreciation in future artists.

BFA in Visual Communication Design

Following a four-year sequence, the BFA in Visual Communication Design program at EWU is intended for undergraduate students who wish to develop a solid foundation in graphic design, art, and history to lead a professional career within the applied arts. Along with strong liberal arts components, the program provides extensive studio work experience to foster the highest level of individual creative performance and job placement. After being admitted in the junior year, students will take courses in painting, color design, digital imaging, printmaking, alternative media, computer graphics, typography, photography, web design, and electronic prepress production. The program ends with an intensive studio seminar, senior capstone project, and an applied visual communication design internship.

Accreditations

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Contact

526 Fifth Street
Cheney, WA 99004
(509) 359-2494
melinda.breen@mail.ewu.edu
http://www.ewu.edu/cale/programs/art/art-degrees/bfa-visual-communication-design

Pacific Lutheran University

School of Arts and Communication

As a comprehensive private four-year co-educational institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Pacific Lutheran University is home for a close-knit community of over 3,400 students on its 156-acre suburban campus in the town of Parkland just outside of Tacoma. Renowned for receiving the region’s first prestigious Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization, PLU is currently ranked as the 17th best college, 10th top value school, and 4th best university for veterans in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. The School of Arts and Communication has the mission of fulfilling the human spirit by fostering creative expression and scholarship from a liberal arts approach.

B.A. Studio Arts in Graphic Design

For highly motivated undergraduate students, the B.A. Studio Arts program is available to further develop the creativity and professionals that are essential for achieving success as a studio artist within today’s competitive global art community. Students who choose to follow the Graphic Design concentration will complete at least 44 major credits covering topics in drawing, color theory, 2D design, 3D design, art methodology, printmaking, art history, and photography. Along with plenty of one-on-one faculty interaction and hands-on studio practice throughout, the program culminates in a senior exhibition of design work on campus. Graduates will be the strong visual thinkers who can apply their knowledge of artistic concepts in graphic design.

BFA Studio Arts in Graphic Design

Building upon a rigorous studio foundation in drawing and design, the BFA Studio Arts program is structured to immerse students in learning about the language of art from day one of their freshman year. Students are given the freedom to tailor their artistic studies in Ceramics, Graphic Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, or Sculpture. Those who select graphic design as their focal point will take 16 semester hours of specialized electives devoted to developing the technical skills and discipline needed to realize their artistic vision. Before graduation, upper-division students will complete a “keystone” experience by developing their finalized design portfolio and presenting a senior exhibition.

Accreditations

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Contact

12180 Park Avenue South
Tacoma, WA 98447
(253) 535-7573
artd@plu.edu
https://www.plu.edu/academic-programs/program/art-and-design/

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle Pacific Art Center

Affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, Seattle Pacific University is a comprehensive senior private four-year Christian liberal arts institution that has grown to enroll over 4,100 students on its 43-acre urban campus within the coastal seaport metropolis of Seattle. Boasting a low student-faculty ratio of 14:1, SPU is currently ranked as the 19th best regional college and 4th top value school in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. The Seattle Pacific Art Center (SPAC) has the mission of introducing students to the fundamental elements of the visual art disciplines to provide unlock career opportunities in various art-making media.

B.A. in Visual Communication Design

Featuring a 101-credit curriculum, the B.A. in Visual Communication Design program at Seattle Pacific strives to teach undergraduate students the most effective application techniques for implementing creative solutions in digital media communications. Courses will build upon the core art foundation to cover topics in drawing, design perspective, art history, digital photography, illustration, typography, publishing, interactive media, motion design, and graphic design. In the final semester, seniors complete an art internship to obtain additional design proficiency and build experience in the artistic arena. The program produces thoroughly trained, competent designers who view the spiritual nature of design as an extension of their faith.

Accreditations

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Contact

3307 Third Avenue West
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 281-2079
kressk@spu.edu
http://spu.edu/depts/viscom/page/program/viscomm.asp

Trinity Lutheran College

Department of Graphic Design & Visual Communications

Founded in 1944 as the Lutheran Bible Institute of Seattle, Trinity Lutheran College has become a fully accredited comprehensive Christian liberal arts institution and moved its headquarters to the city of Everett within just 25 miles north of its original Seattle campus. Enrolling around 200 students, TLC offers bachelor’s degrees in 11 fields of study ranging from Biblical studies and business management to early childhood education and communications. With the majestic backdrop of the Cascade Mountains, the Department of Graphic Design & Visual Communications is dedicated to producing talented artists with the broad skills to help the art community thrive.

B.A. in Graphic Design & Visual Communications

In a unique learning environment that follows the motto “Designing for Good,” the B.A. in Graphic Design & Visual Communications is offered to ambitious undergraduate students who wish to receive generalist training for entering the design arena and making a positive difference in the world. With small class sizes and personalized faculty attention, students are trained to create, understand, and interpret artistic elements of today’s visual culture. After fulfilling the general education requirements, students take 40 major credits and complete a senior thesis/capstone project showing their competency. Graduates can become digital designers, work in advertising, design for magazine publications, tell stories through video production, or further their education in graduate school.

Accreditations

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Contact

2802 Wetmore Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
(425) 249-4801
Ryan.Torma@TLC.edu
http://www.tlc.edu:7080/viscom/index.html

Being a graphic designer doesn’t necessarily require any college education, but going the extra mile to earn a degree will give you an upper hand in today’s job market. Graphic design degree programs are structured to boost your knowledge in art, design, and technology fundamentals while developing a stellar portfolio that showcases your talents perfectly. Thanks to senior showcases and exhibitions, art schools give students invaluable exposure in the industry for forming networking connections. If you wish to study within the “Evergreen State,” these are the accredited graphic design degree programs in Washington available to unleash your creativity.