Program Overview

Graphic Design Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree

Overview

The Graphic Design Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a comprehensive program that combines design principles, words, and images to create bold, compelling visuals. The program is designed to provide students with a balanced approach to graphic design, including design thinking, history, theory, conceptual explorations, problem-solving approaches, and technical development.

Why Study Graphic Design at RIT

• Workshops: Multiple annual workshops focused on community engagement and collaboration, including EUREKA! and PUSH, which allow students to use their skills to initiate social change.
• Interesting Topics: Typography, branding and identity systems, designing for space and environment, interactivity and UX/UI, motion graphics, packaging design, publication design, design thinking, history, and research.
• Strong Career Paths: Students and alumni are employed by top design firms, advertising agencies, and corporations such as Adobe, Apple, ESPN, Fisher-Price, the NHL, Sesame Street, Sports Illustrated , Vogue Italia , and Walt Disney Company.
• Industry Exposure: Faculty regularly facilitate collaborative class projects with industry, exposing students to a range of networking opportunities and practical experiences.

Explore RIT’s Graphic Design BFA Curriculum

The graphic design undergraduate degree program at RIT is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in graphic design. The program includes:

• Design thinking
• History
• Theory
• Conceptual explorations
• Problem-solving approaches and strategies
• Applied projects
• Technical development

Students are exposed to a full range of design topics, including:

• Information design
• Editorial design
• Environmental design
• Wayfinding
• Motion
• Branding
• Signage
• Packaging
• Interactivity
• UX/UI

Hands-On Experience to Gain Real World Skills

The program offers collaborative experiences in and out of class that will fully prepare students for internships and co-ops during their studies, and for full-time permanent positions after graduation. These interdisciplinary and collaborative projects result in innovative and meaningful hands-on projects that encourage students to explore the social, ethical, and environmental impact of design.

Access to World Renowned Facilities

Students have access to RIT's Vignelli Center for Design Studies, the Cary Graphic Design Archive, and the Cary Graphic Arts Collection, further enhancing their graphic design learning and inquiry.

Furthering Your Education in Graphic Design

RIT offers combined accelerated bachelor's/master's degrees, which enable students to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years of study. The +1 MBA program is also available, allowing students to add an MBA to their bachelor's degree after their first year of study.

Careers and Experiential Learning

Typical Job Titles

• Art Director
• Associate Art Director
• Creative Designer
• Creative Director
• Digital Designer
• Digital Product Designer
• Freelance Graphic Designer
• Graphic Designer
• Experience Officer
• Identity/Packaging Designer
• Illustrator
• Interactive Designer
• Junior Art Director
• Junior Director
• Junior Graphic Designer
• Motion Designer
• Presentation Designer
• Product Designer
• Promotions Marketing Coordinator
• Social Media Director
• UI/UX Designer
• Visual Designer
• Web Designer
• Web Developer

Industries

• Advertising, PR, and Marketing
• Design
• Higher Education
• Internet and Software
• Journalism, Media, and Publishing
• Movies, TV, and Music
• Sports and Leisure

Cooperative Education and Internships

Cooperative education and internships are strongly encouraged for students in the BFA in graphic design. These experiences provide hands-on experience that enables students to apply their artistic capabilities in dynamic professional settings while making valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.

Creative Industry Days

RIT's Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education hosts Creative Industry Days, which connects students majoring in art, design, film and animation, photography, and select computing majors with companies, organizations, creative agencies, design firms, and more.

Featured Work and Profiles

• Medical Device Designs
• Feel alright
• Students Score with RIT Sports Network
• Interactive Design Project with Local Youth
• School of Design Reel
• Creative Superhero

Curriculum for Graphic Design BFA

Graphic Design, BFA degree, typical course sequence

• First Year
  • ARTH-1##: Any 100-level ARTH course (General Education-Artistic Perspective)
  • ARTH-1##: Any 100-level ARTH course (General Education-Global Perspective)
  • FDTN-111: Drawing I
  • FDTN-121: 2D Design I
  • FDTN-131: 3D Design I
  • GRDE-106: Graphic Design Studio I
  • GRDE-107: Motion Design I
  • YOPS-10: RIT 365: RIT Connections
• Second Year
  • GRDE-201: Typography I
  • GRDE-202: Graphic Design Studio II
  • GRDE-205: History of Graphic Design
  • GRDE-206: Typography II
  • GRDE-207: Interactive Design I
  • GRDE-217: Motion Design II
  • CAD Studio Elective
  • Open Elective
  • General Education – Ethical Perspective
  • General Education – Social Perspective
• Third Year
  • GRDE-301: Graphic Design Studio III
  • GRDE-302: Interactive Design II
  • GRDE-306: Professional Practices
  • GRDE-307: Design Systems I
  • GRDE-308: Experiential Graphic Design
  • Art History Elective
  • CAD Studio Elective
  • Open Elective
  • General Education – Immersion 1 (WI), 2
• Fourth Year
  • GRDE-411: Graphic Design Capstone I (WI-PR)
  • GRDE-412: Graphic Design Capstone II
  • GRDE-421: Design Systems II
  • Professional Electives
  • Open Electives
  • General Education – Immersion
  • General Education – Elective

Electives

Graphic Design Electives

• GRDE-401: Collaborative Design
• GRDE-418: Editorial Design
• GRDE-422: Interactive Design III
• GRDE-423: Typography III
• GRDE-428: Advertising Design
• GRDE-431: Packaging Systems Collaborative
• GRDE-432: Packaging Systems Projects

Admissions and Financial Aid

First-Year Admission

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of social studies and/or history
• 3-4 years of mathematics
• 2-3 years of science
• Studio art experience and a portfolio of original artwork are required.

Transfer Admission

• Studio art or design experience and a portfolio of original artwork are required.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• 100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.
• RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs.

Faculty

• Carol Fillip: Associate Professor
• Lorrie Frear: Professor
• Keli DiRisio: Associate Professor

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Contact

• Keli DiRisio: Undergraduate Program Director, Graphic Design
• School of Design
• College of Art and Design
• 585-475-5581