Turn Your Passion into a Career
Learn how to turn your artistic interests into a professional career with Southern New Hampshire University's graphic design and media arts major.
Unlike at fine arts schools, here you can complement graphic design and media arts courses with courses in business, advertising, communication, writing, technology, fashion merchandising, psychology, marketing and many other areas, to better prepare you for your career.
In your courses, you will create:
- logos, logotypes, and symbols.
- advertisements and posters.
- brochures and marketing materials. TV commercials and documentaries.
- Web sites.
- interactive designs.
Focus your degree
In addition to minors and course work in other disciplines, you also can choose to focus on optional profession-oriented subject areas:
- Information technology
- Advertising
- Video production
We use the latest design technologies and provide ample opportunities for hands-on experience and collaboration through course work and internships.
Faculty and connections
Our faculty -- including an award-winning filmmaker, a digital media pioneer, and the lead animator at Segway, to name a few – inform their classes with years of academic and professional experience. You also will network and compete with professionals through our close affiliation with the New Hampshire Creative Club.
Career outlook
Graphic designers are in great demand, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. They work in print, the Web, and multimedia design, and at ad agencies, newspapers, magazines, Internet-hosting companies, corporate and nonprofit marketing departments, broadcast television production studios, and many other kinds of businesses that require top-notch visual communications.
It’s not surprising that SNHU alumni have found rewarding careers. Our students and alumni work for a number of great companies, including:
- WMUR-TV
- BAE Systems
- Timberland
- Segway
- Fox News Network
- Raytheon
- Business NH Magazine
Required Core Courses
School of Arts and Sciences Required Courses
BIO-210: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Discussion comparison of the principles of mammalian form and function Includes molecular and cellular mechanisms of major processes such as muscle contraction neural transmission and signal transduction and examines the structure and function of the 11 organ systems of the human body Laboratory exercises BIO 210L to follow lecture topics
COM-212: Public Speaking
This course is designed to help students develop abilities including organization and delivery skills for all speaking situations The evaluation and improvement of voice diction articulation and posture also are studied May not be used as literature elective
Prerequisites:
ENG-120,
Select One of the Following:
HIS-114: United States History II 1865 Present
The second half of the United States history survey course covers the period following the Civil War The economic political and ideological developments that allowed the United States to attain a position of the world leadership are closely examined Required for majors in History and Social Studies Education with a concentration in History
HIS-241: World War II
This course emphasizes the battles campaigns events and personalities that dominated World War II Special attention is given to political and diplomatic factors during the 1930s which contributed to the outbreak of World War II Not available every semester
Graphic Design & Media Arts Major Courses
COM-128: Language and Practice of Media Arts
This is an introduction to the practice of media production and the study of visual media literacy The course examines the fundamental components and structure of moving image texts explores how dynamic relationships between those elements convey meaning and then exercise that knowledge through media production Production design language technology and methods will be discussed enabling all students in the class to have a common language of image analysis and creation Readings and discussions on topics such as cinematography narrative meaning image and sound design editing genres and culture will be included Creative interpretative and expression of ideas will be exercised in the production of media
COM-230: Graphics and Layout in Print Media
This course is an introduction to the principles and practices of graphic design Students are introduced through lecture demonstration and hands on computer work to the basic elements of graphic visual communication Adobe Illustrator is used as a primary tool in exploring visual perception through a variety of creative exercises that familiarize the student with basic visual principles such as figure ground manipulation shape grouping letterform shape creation and grid and system creation Formal elements of graphic design such as line shape color texture pattern balance symmetry rhythm space and unity are thoroughly explored by example and hands on computer exercises special topics included are designing with type layout strategies logo design symbol and pictogram development and stationery systems
COM-232: Desktop Publishing
This course is an introduction to the software application Adobe InDesign designed for the novice user The Macintosh platform is used in the classroom studio lab and the student is introduced to the creative and practical aspects of the desktop publishing program that is considered indispensable in the contemporary communications and design industries This course is based on a series of introductory exercises and a regimen of hands on practice that teaches software and design skills students learn how to combine the use of InDesign with other professional graphics and work processing software such as Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Word
Prerequisites:
COM-230
FAS-226: Digital Photography
Photography as a visual medium is integral to the study of contemporary communication This course introduces students to the history and practice of producing photographic images The content of the course is a combination of lecture and the hands on practice of both the analog and digital methods of photographic image making The traditional darkroom is dispensed with giving over to the computer the role of darkroom with the student using Adobe Photoshop and other image editors to process traditional film and digital image captures The student is taught to use both film and non film digital cameras to capture process and print a portfolio of several original photographic images Students have the opportunity to output photo prints on state of the art digital printers and plotters ranging from small to large scale on a variety of art papers Lectures on pictorial composition subject matter choice and methods of presentation display will accompany hands on technical exercises
GRA-101: Basic Design and Color Theory
This course examines the basic elements and principles of design including balance emphasis proportion and rhythm Students are introduced to visual designing systems that guide the student through the application of computer graphics tools The basic visual design elements of line space texture and color are creatively explored as students complete a series of projects that relate to advertising layout and design and visual merchandising
GRA-310: Digital Graphic Design for the Web
This course presents digital graphic theory and develops skills that meet the design and technical requirements of professionally created digital images for commercial applications on the World Wide Web on a variety of platforms and Internet appliances Each student will develop a professional portfolio consisting of printed and CD ROM material Students also develop working Web sites to display their graphic design projects Topics include design strategies Web authoring environments color calibration and aesthetics special HTML tags image mapping style sheets digital cameras and scanners GIF animation and an introduction to Dynamic HTML
Prerequisites:
CIS-100
GRA-340: Typography
Typography deals with the language of type the history of typography typeface and character recognition legibility appropriate uses of measure manuscript specifications and the individual visual dynamics of letterforms In this class students will learn how to work with type as a stand alone design element Students will also learn how to incorporate type successfully with imagery The assignments will cover a broad range of type applications Students will primarily focus their efforts towards developing a greater understanding of typographic form through exercises based on the setting of words phrases sentences and short paragraphs Students will first focus on the appropriate setting of spaces in between the letters that make up words and projects will gradually increase in scope and complexity up to the setting of pages of text with multiple levels of hierarchical meaning
Prerequisites:
GRA-320
GRA-410: Advanced Digital Graphic Design for Web
This course engages upper level design students in current industry standards used in designing content for multimedia and interactive communication Emphasis is placed on designing for computers tablets and phones The course is divided into teaching modules emphasizing the integration of several software packages for design problem solving Emphasis is placed on conceptualization and the mastery of professional site mapping and wire framing techniques Exercises and projects provide challenging design problem solving experience Project themes involve self promotion and client based work All projects rely on the students ability to integrate previously mastered techniques in a broad range of software
Prerequisites:
GRA-310
GRA-420: Advanced Digital Imaging
This hands on computer graphics course introduces the student to advanced digital composition concepts and techniques The emphasis in this course is imaging software integration in the creative process The student has the opportunity to produce a professional portfolio of digital images to use in design and fine art Topics such as transparency scanning channel and layer manipulation large format printing and proofing digital camera use complex montage type and filter effects are covered in depth In addition the important techniques of imaging software integration and file format compatibilities are discussed and applied while preparing images for print video Web and CD DVD distribution In addition students will be introduced to assorted projects involving self promotion and client based needs Students will have the opportunity to output images in large digital format in the graphics lab and at area service bureaus for dramatic public presentation At the conclusion of this course students will have assembled a portfolio presentation for public viewing
Prerequisites:
GRA-320
Select One of the Following:
FAS-320: History of Design
This course introduces the major movements in the history of design since the Industrial Revolution including the Arts Crafts Movement Art Nouveau Art Deco the Bauhaus constructivism and contemporary trends in popular design Student will be encouraged to apply their learning to practical design exercises
Prerequisites:
FAS-201
FAS-326: History of Photography
This course will examine the history of photography from its invention in 1839 to the present time The course will endeavor to address the technical artistic and social underpinnings of this most modern of art forms
University Accreditation
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