The College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) at University of Louisville (UofL) is the school’s largest academic unit. The College houses more than 30 departments and programs in the Arts and Humanities, Natural and Physical Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Within the College of A&S is the Department of Art + Design, endowed as the Hite Institute of Art + Design. Students here have access to a BFA Program with Graphic Design, Studio Art, and Interior Design Tracks.
The Graphic Design Track is a professional, preparatory program that focuses on technical skills, conceptual development, and persuasive composition. Admission is selective, with just 20-22 students accepted into the program each year.
Students will begin their studies with the Foundations Program, which consists of Art courses, Studio requirements, and Art History coursework. At the end of the Foundation Desig Methods course in the spring of Freshmen year, students will apply to the Graphic Design BFA Program. Once admitted, students will begin taking required Design curriculum and Graphic Design Elective courses.
Course examples include History and Issues of Graphic Design, Type I-II, Web Design, Book Forms, Foundation Design Methods, Identity Systems, and Design for Public Issues. Elective examples include Lettering and Font Design, Design for interaction, Wayfinding & Environmental Graphic Design, Adventures in Design: Methods + Process, Packaging, Design & Meaning (Semiotics), and Data Visualization.
In addition to the Electives already mentioned, the Graphic Design BFA Program provides opportunities to enhance the degree through the Social Science Elective—Creativity in Advertising Elective—where students work on teams with Communication majors. Directed Studies is another option, where Design students collaborate with Engineering students in their Engineering + Entrepreneurship Capstone course.
Although it is not a requirement, most Graphic Design students at University of Louisville will complete an internship over one or more semesters. Internships during the semester total approximately 120 hours. Summer internships are available and allow for more work hours. Students have interned with 22squared, KFC, JUMP Agency, Humana Innovation, Zimmer Design, Brown-Forman, and Volunteers of America.
The Graphic Design BFA Program at University of Louisville is a professional preparatory program, so graduates are prepared for leadership positions in the Graphic Design industry, among others. Around 85% of past program graduates found jobs as Designers or in a Design-related or Visual Art profession. Program alumni have also gone on to graduate study at Carnegie Mellon, Pratt Institute, Auburn University, Canfield University (UK), and University of Georgia, among others.
Examples of companies that have hired UofL Graphic Design BFA Program graduates include ESPN, PepsiCo, Yum! Brands, Churchill Downs, Sanger & Eby, VIA Studio, McFadden Marketing, Kentucky Derby Museum, Power Agency, Kaleidescope, Griffin Technology, Texas Roadhouse, MODE, InGrid Design, Doe-Anderson, and TMP Worldwide.
Established in 1798 as Jefferson Seminary, University of Louisville is a public research university that serves approximately 23,045 students enrolled in more than 200 degree programs across 12 colleges and schools. University of Louisville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).