Overview

The Graphic Design program prepares accomplished graphic designers with critical minds to evaluate their own work. The curriculum provides a comprehensive education in offering a range of theoretical and practical courses tackling various design experiences.

Students have the choice between two emphases: Print Design and Digital Design. The concentration of each emphasis is conveyed in the final senior project.

A multi-faceted discipline, graphic design offers wide opportunities in working agencies, design studios, publishing houses, television production houses, or as freelancers designing websites, typefaces, animated sequences, interface systems, packaging, identities, posters and exhibitions.

A total number of 118 credits are required for the Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design program, excluding the freshman year. This program may be completed in less than four academic years after the freshman year, including summer term modules.

Mission

The Mission of the Graphic Design program is to educate competent designers with proficient skills, an appreciation of arts, and broad cultural knowledge that allows them to become effective design leaders, good visual communicators, and critical thinkers in the design field.

Program Objectives

The purpose of the Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design is:

1. To maintain a discipline that is up-to-date in both technological and artistic innovations within this rapidly evolving profession;
2. To encourage the creation of aesthetic and effective design solutions by offering students the choice to work not only in print-based media, but also in screen-based design, which incorporates motion and sound;
3. To emphasize the importance of communication skills, a strong work ethic, and motivation for success in graphic design;
4. To create works that are both ethically sound and culturally aware and, in turn, have a positive impact on society and the local community as evidenced by the role of graphic design in record labels to road signs, film titles to beer bottles, textbooks to websites; and5. Upon graduation, to be competitive in numerous career fields: design firms, advertising agencies, web-site development, publishing companies, print houses, television studios, or independent design work.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design will acquire the following skills:

1. The foundation to pursue specialist studies relevant to progression pathways for employment;
2. The ability to continue adding knowledge and relevant skills  for career progression;
3. Training in a specialist art and design discipline;
4. Personal qualities, linked to generic skills, for successful performance in the working life;
5. Up-to-date knowledge of the multiple aspects of the graphic design profession;  
6. Independence of thought, and which encourages life-long analytical and imaginative enquiry; and
7. A sense of the designer’s obligation to their social and moral responsibilities in the larger society.

Admission Requirements

To enter the major, students must meet the general university requirements and the graphic design program specific requirements .

Graduation Requirements

A total of 118 credits are required to graduate, based on:

Program Requirements

A Senior Project is required of all students in addition to successful completion of the course of study.

Foundation Requirements (25 credits):

• See Foundation courses

Major Core Requirements (39 credits):

• ART222 / Drawing II (3 cr.)
• ART332 / History of Art II (3 cr.)
• ART431 / Modern Art (3 cr.)
• GRA212 / Introduction to Typography (3 cr.)
• GRA301 / Intermediate Computer Graphics (3 cr.)
• GRA302 / Advanced Computer Graphics (3 cr.)
• GRA324 / Intermediate Typography (2 cr.)
• GRA325 / Thematic Workshop I (1 cr.)
• GRA342 / Art of Illustration (3 cr.)
• GRA351 / Graphic Design I (3 cr.)
• GRA352 / Graphic Design II (3 cr.)
• GRA431 / History of Graphic Design (3 cr.)
• GRA432 / Visual Perception (3 cr.)
• GRA462 / Graphic Design Seminar (3 cr.)
• GRA465 / Thematic Workshop II (1 cr.)
• GRA488 / Graphic Design Portfolio (1 cr.)
• GRA490 / Graphic Design Internship (1 cr.)
• MKT201 / Introduction to Marketing (3 cr.)

Emphasis (15 credits):

A.     Print Design

• GRA312 / Printing Variables (3 cr.)
• GRA411 / Advanced Typography (3 cr.)
• GRA451 / Graphic Design III (3 cr.)
• GRA455 / Advertising Design (3 cr.)
• GRA499 / Senior Project (3 cr.)

B.     Digital Design

• GRA482 / Motion Design (3 cr.)
• GRA484 / Web Design (3 cr.)
• GRA486 / Advanced Interactive Design (3 cr.)
• GRA487 / 3D Animation Techniques (3 cr.)
• GRA499 / Senior Project (3 cr.)

Graphic Design Elective

Choose any course of the following (3 credits):

A.     Print Design

• GRA341 / Art of Calligraphy (3 cr.)
• GRA345 / Silk Screen & Binding (3 cr.)
• GRA484 / Web Design (3 cr.)
• GRA486 / Advanced Interactive Design (3 cr.)
• GRA487 / 3D Animation Techniques (3 cr.)

B.     Digital Design

• GRA341 / Art of Calligraphy (3 cr.)
• GRA345 / Silk Screen & Binding (3 cr.)
• GRA411 / Advanced Typography (3 cr.)
• GRA455 / Advertising Design (3 cr.)
• GRA499 / Senior Project (3 cr.)

Art Electives

Choose any course of the following (3 credits):

• ART211 / Ceramics I (3 cr.)
• ART334 / Graphics (3 cr.)
• ART341 / Painting I (3 cr.)
• ART351 / Sculpture I (3 cr.)
• COM222 / Introduction to Radio/TV/Film (3 cr.)
• COM244 / Introduction to Technical Stagecraft (3 cr.)
• COM247 / Theater in Performance (3 cr.)
• MUS201 / Fundamentals of Music (3 cr.)
• PHO212 / Photography II (3 cr.)
• PHO222 / Digital Photography I (3 cr.)

Sample Study Plan

Year One

Fall

• See Foundation courses

Spring

• See Foundation courses

Summer (7 credits)

• GRA325 / Thematic Workshop I (1 cr.)
• LAC (6 cr.)

Year Two

Fall (14 credits)

• ART222 / Drawing II (3 cr.)
• GRA212 / Introduction to Typography (3 cr.)
• GRA301 / Inter. Computer Graphics (3 cr.)
• GRA324 / Intermediate Typography (2 cr.)
• LAC (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

• GRA302 / Adv. Computer Graphics (3 cr.)
• GRA342 / Art of Illustration (3 cr.)
• GRA351 / Graphic Design I (3 cr.)
• GRA431 / History of Graphic Design (3 cr.)
• Art Elective (3 cr.)

Summer (7 credits)

• MKT201 / Introduction to Marketing (3 cr.)
• GRA465 / Thematic Workshop II (1 cr.)
• LAC (3 cr.)

1. Print Design Emphasis

Year Three

Fall (15 credits)

• ART332/431 / History of Art II or Modern Art (3 cr.)
• GRA352 / Graphic Design II (3 cr.)
• GRA411 / Advanced Typography (3 cr.)
• GRA432 / Visual Perception (3 cr.)
• Graphic Design Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

• GRA451 / Graphic Design III (3 cr.)
• GRA455 / Advertising Design(3 cr.)
• GRA462 / Graphic Design Seminar (3 cr.)
• LAC (6 cr.)

Summer (6 credits)

• LAC (6 cr.)

Year Four

Fall (8 credits)

• GRA312 / Printing Variables (3 cr.)
• GRA488 / Graphic Design Portfolio (1 cr.)
• GRA490 / Graphic Design Internship (1 cr.)
• GRA499 / Senior Project (3 cr.)

2. Digital Design Emphasis

Year Three

Fall (15 credits)

• ART332 / 431History of Art II or Modern Art (3 cr.)
• GRA352 / Graphic Design II (3 cr.)
• GRA432 / Visual Perception (3 cr.)
• GRA484 / Web Design (3 cr.)
• GRA4873D / Animation Techniques (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

• GRA462 / Graphic Design Seminar (3 cr.)
• GRA482 / Motion Design (3 cr.)
• GRA486 / Advanced Interactive Design (3 cr.)
• LAC (6 cr.)

Summer (6 credits)

• LAC (6 cr.)

Year Four

Fall (8 credits)

• GRA488 / Graphic Design Portfolio (1 cr.)
• GRA490 / Graphic Design Internship (1 cr.)
• GRA499 / Senior Project (3 cr.)
• Graphic Design Elective (3 cr.)

Extracurricular Activities

The program engages students in a variety of extracurricular activities. Local, regional and international specialists regularly give talks and workshops within the program. Additional events are hosted annually in collaboration with Beirut Design Week at LAU. Students from the program annually participate in the exhibition and publication of their work. The program also encourages students to participate in a variety of design competitions so students can gain hands-on experiences and recognition for their work.

Career Opportunities

Upon graduation Graphic Design students pursue careers within design industries or studies within master programs at some of the world’s leading universities. Graduates of the program may work within advertising, television, publishing, web design, interactive media, packaging, branding, and typeface design. Additionally, graduates may embark on careers as design managers or consultants leading their own design practices.