Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design

Overview

The Graphic Design program prepares accomplished graphic designers with the critical capacity to evaluate their own work. The curriculum offers a range of theoretical and practical courses tackling various design experiences. Students have the choice between two tracks, Print Design and Digital Design, wherein the concentration of each track is reflected in the final senior project.

A multi-faceted discipline, graphic design offers wide opportunities to work in agencies, design studios, publishing houses, television production houses, or as freelancers designing websites, typefaces, animated sequences, interface systems, packaging, identities, posters and exhibitions. The program also prepares students for further graduate studies.

The program may be completed in less than four academic years after the freshman year, including summer term modules.

Mission

The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design is to equip 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 to:

maintain a discipline that is up-to-date in both technological and artistic innovations within this rapidly evolving profession,
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,
emphasize the importance of communication skills, a strong work ethic, and motivation for success in graphic design,
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 from record labels to road signs, film titles to beer bottles, textbooks to websites, and
Prepare students to compete isn numerous career fields: design firms, advertising agencies, web-site development, publishing companies, print houses, television studios, or independent design work.

Learning Outcomes

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

the foundation to pursue specialist studies relevant to progression pathways for employment,
the ability to continue adding knowledge and relevant skills for career progression;
training in a specialist art and design discipline,
personal qualities, linked to generic skills, for successful performance in the working life,
up-to-date knowledge of the multiple aspects of the graphic design profession,
independence of thought, and which encourages life-long analytical and imaginative enquiry, and
a sense of the designer’s obligation to their social and moral responsibilities in the larger society.

Curriculum

A total of 118 credits are required for the Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design, excluding the freshman year, distributed as follows

Foundation Requirements (25 credits)
Program Core Requirements (39 credits)
Emphasis Courses (15 credits)
Graphic Design Elective (3 credits)
Art Elective (3 credits)
LAC Core Courses (12 credits)
LAC Electives (21 credits)

A senior project is required of all students in addition to successful completion of the course of study.

Foundation Requirements (25 credits)

See Foundation Studies

Program 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 Courses (15 credits)

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.)

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 (3 credits)

Print Design Emphasis

GRA312 Printing Variables (3 cr.)
GRA331 Design Management (3 cr.)
GRA341 Art of Calligraphy (3 cr.)
GRA345 Silk Screen & Binding (3 cr.)
GRA361 Designing for Social Change (3 cr.)
GRA391 International Studio (3 cr.)
GRA411 Advanced Typography (3 cr.)
GRA451 Graphic Design III (3 cr.)
GRA455 Advertising Design (3 cr.)
GRA499 Senior Project (3 cr.)

Digital Design Emphasis

GRA331 Design Management (3 cr.)
GRA341 Art of Calligraphy (3 cr.)
GRA345 Silk Screen & Binding (3 cr.)
GRA361 Designing for Social Change (3 cr.)
GRA391 International Studio (3 cr.)
GRA482 Motion Design (3 cr.)
GRA484 Web Design (3 cr.)
GRA486 Advanced Interactive Design (3 cr.)
GRA487 3D Animation Techniques (3 cr.)

Art Elective (3 credits)

ART211 Ceramics I (3 cr.)
ART334 Graphics (3 cr.)
ART341 Painting I (3 cr.)
ART351 Sculpture I (3 cr.)
PHO212 Photography II (3 cr.)
PHO222 Digital Photography I (3 cr.)

Recommended Study Plan

Year One

Fall (13 credits)

Foundation Year Courses (13 credits)

Spring (15 credits)

Foundation Year Courses (12 credits)
LAC Course (3 cr.)

Summer (3 credits)

GRA212 Introduction to Typography (3 cr.)

Year Two

Fall (12 credits)

ART222 Drawing II (3 cr.)
GRA324 Intermediate Typography (2 cr.)
GRA301 Intermediate Computer Graphics (3 cr.)
LAC (4 cr.)

Spring (16 credits)

GRA302 Advanced Computer Graphics (3 cr.)
GRA342 Art of Illustration I (3 cr.)
GRA351 Graphic Design I (3 cr.)
GRA431 History of Graphic Design (3 cr.)
GRA325 Thematic Workshop I (1 cr.)
LAC (3 cr.)

Summer (9 credits)

MKT201 Introduction to Marketing (3 cr.)
LAC (6 cr.)

Year Three

Print Design Emphasis

Fall (16 credits)

GRA352 Graphic Design II (3 cr.)
GRA432 Visual Perception (3 cr.)
GRA411 Advanced Typography (3 cr.)
GRA455 Advertising Design (3 cr.)
LAC (1 cr.)
Graphic Design Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (14 credits)

GRA462 Graphic Design Seminar (3 cr.)
GRA451 Graphic Design III (3 cr.)
GRA312 Printing Variables (3 cr.)
GRA465 Thematic Workshop II (1 cr.)
LAC (1 cr.)
Art Elective (3 cr.)

Summer (10 credits)

LAC (9 cr.)
GRA490 Graphic Design Internship (1 cr.)

Digital Design Emphasis

Fall (16 credits)

GRA352 Graphic Design II (3 cr.)
GRA432 Visual Perception (3 cr.)
GRA484 Web Design (3 cr.)
GRA487 3D Animation Techniques (3 cr.)
LAC (1 cr.)
Graphic Design Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (14 credits)

GRA462 Graphic Design Seminar (3 cr.)
GRA482 Motion Design (3 cr.)
GRA486 Advanced Interactive Design (3 cr.)
GRA465 Thematic Workshop II (1 cr.)
LAC (1 cr.)
Art Elective (3 cr.)

Summer (10 credits)

LAC (9 cr.)
GRA490 Graphic Design Internship (1 cr.)

Year Four

Print Design Emphasis

Fall (10 credits)

GRA499 Senior Project (3 cr.)
GRA488 Graphic Design Portfolio (1 cr.)
LAC (Arts) (3 cr.)
LAC (3 cr.)

Digital Design Emphasis

Fall (10 credits)

GRA499 Senior Project (3 cr.)
GRA488 Graphic Design Portfolio (1 cr.)
LAC (Arts) (3 cr.)
LAC (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, where students from the program participate in the exhibition and publication of their work. Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of design competitions so they can gain hands-on experiences and recognition for their work.