Graphic Design
“Graphic design is the profession that plans and executes the design of visual communication according to the needs of audiences and in the context for which communication is intended.” (American Institute of Graphic Design [AIGA])
“Graphic designers apply what they have learned about physical, cognitive, social, and cultural human factors to communication planning and the creation of appropriate form that interprets, informs, instructs, and persuades. Graphic designers use various technologies as means for creating visual form and as an environment through which communication takes place. Graphic designers plan, analyze, create, and evaluate visual solutions to communication problems. Their work ranges from the development of strategies to solve large-scale communications problems, to the design of effective communication products, such as publications, computer programs, packaging, exhibits, and signage.”(National Association of Schools of Art and Design [NASAD])
The unique focus of the SDSU program is the preparation for professional practice in visual communication design within a global context with special emphasis on the visual language of typography. The program’s focus is inspired by San Diego’s location at the border of Mexico and the Pacific Rim and by the multinational/multicultural influences within the region.
Our program is connected to the region’s businesses through the Graphic Design internship program; to the region’s professional design community through a close association with the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), a national professional organization (www.aiga.org); and to the international education and professional design communities through student and faculty exchange programs; as well as affiliation with the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (ICOGRADA).
Please refer to the Graphic Design FAQs more information on the program we offer.
| Undergraduate Program | Graduate Program |
| Area Facilities | Faculty Bios |
| Student Gallery | Faculty Gallery |
Undergraduate Program
The Graphic Design program is the largest program in the School of Art, Design and Art History, which is part of the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts. Only those students with a declared emphasis in Graphic Design will be allowed to enroll in courses in this program.
Currently, the School of Art, Design and Art History offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Art with Emphasis in Graphic Design, which is a liberal arts degree. The program prepares students for entry into the graphic design profession within the context of a broad program in general studies that establishes a foundation for artistic and intellectual development.
The Graphic Design program has proposed the addition of a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Graphic Design, which is a professional degree. The BFA would provide a higher concentration of course work in the major and stronger preparation for professional practice.
Program-at-a-Glance
Click here for overview of the new Graphic Design Undergraduate Curriculum effective Fall 2005 (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Scheduling Options for Required 200- and 300-level Graphic Design Courses
Click here for scheduling options for required 200- and 300-level Graphic Design courses effective Fall 2005 (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Graduate Program
Currently, the School of Art, Design and Art History offers a Master of Arts (MA) degree and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Art with Emphasis in Graphic Design. The program focuses on advanced studies in visual communication design, including theory, practice, and history of graphic design, typography, and image-making. Students develop an awareness of social and cultural context and are encouraged to approach their work from an international perspective and to cross boundaries between disciplines. The work builds on individual interests in a wide variety of subject matter and media.
Click here for more information on SDSU Studio Art Graduate Programs.
Distinguished Alumni
Michelle Alsip, co-developer of Futurewave Splash bought out by Macromedia and renamed Flash
Eric Freedman, Creative Director of the Austin office of Frog Design
Cecile Michaelis, Production Coordinator, Hey! Arnold, Nickelodeon
Scott Mires, owner Miresbrands, San Diego, California
Bennett Peji, owner, Bennett Peji Design, San Diego, California
Roy Quini, senior designer, EEI Communications
Ann Scott, Principal, Visual Antics, San Diego, California
Area Facilites
In addition to classrooms with drafting tables, the Graphic Design program has access to two computer labs in the School of Art, Design and Art History: A-213 and A-216. Classes are often held in the labs and open lab hours are scheduled regularly so students can work on assignments. The labs are equipped with Macintosh computers and PCs. All computers are networked and have access to the Internet. Flatbed scanners, film scanners, laser printers, and digital cameras are also available to students. Two darkrooms and studio space are available to students enrolled in photo imagery courses.
The program currently offers an international exchange opportunity for students and faculty with Anadolu University in Eskisehir, Turkey. Additional opportunities are currently being pursued with universities in Switzerland, England, and The Netherlands.
We have a very active AIGA Student Group at SDSU, which schedules regular student events and activities with the professional community, such as studio tours, portfolio reviews, panel discussions, and workshops. AIGA student groups throughout the city meet to plan citywide events.
Graphic design students participate each year in the citywide AIGA Student Portfolio Review. In 2002, SDSU student Derek Love won first place and honorable mentions were received by SDSU student Alex Contreras for Typography, Andria Missler for Photography, and Henrik Löwemark for Advertising. In 2003, Genevieve Salakian was awarded first place and received a $1,000 award in the overall portfolio category. Other SDSU graphic design students who received honors are Lynn Lee, Honorable Mention in Branding/Identity; Livna Lev-Ram, Honorable Mention in Photography; Joey Sadile, Honorable Mention in Typography; and Ralph Acosta, Honorable Mention in Typography. Each garnered an award of $250.
Faculty Bios
Susan Merritt
Head, Graphic Design Program
Susan Merritt is a design principal of CWA, Inc. in San Diego (www.cwaincsandiego.com), a strategic and creative development firm whose mission “bridging the communication gap between cultures” guides solutions in corporate positioning, infrastructure development, community planning, and social philanthropy.
Professor Merritt is coauthor with Jack Davis of The Web Design Wow! Book, published by Peachpit Press (www.peachpit.com). She has served on the board of the San Diego chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), on the chapter’s advisory board, education committee, and as curriculum director on AIGA’s national Creativity Kits Project. She is founder and faculty advisor to the AIGA Student Group at SDSU.
Professor Merritt was a graduate student at the Kunstgewerbeschule-Basel (Basel School of Design) where she studied with Armin Hofmann, Wolfgang Weingart, André Gürtler and Kurt Hauert. While living in Europe for six years and in Hawaii for five years, Professor Merritt developed a deep appreciation for different cultures and their communities. She continues to travel and research the role of visual communication design within the context of culture.
Professor Merritt is recognized for her handcrafted, one-of-a-kind and limited-edition books, which she exhibits regularly, and for the unique background patterns that she creates using a traditional process called paste painting, available at www.corbis.com under search keyword “merritt.”
Allan Miller
Faculty Emeritus
Allan Miller has maintained an active design studio in the United States for more than thirty years and has specialized in design in Mexico, Latin America and South America for the last twenty-five years. He has exhibited nationally and internationally in the areas of graphic design and photography, and his work has appeared in publications and exhibits in Switzerland, Germany, Great Britain, Czechoslovakia, and Japan. Additionally, Professor Miller is a member of the SDSU Latin American Studies Institute. He received his MFA at UCLA.
Adjunct Faculty
Guusje Bendeler
Creative Director, Parallax Visual Communication
Graphic Design, Royal Academy of Art, The Hague, The Netherlands
parallaxviscom.com
Gary Benzel
BFA in Graphic Design, University of Arizona
greenlady.com, huntergatherer.net
Larry Bevins
Principal and Creative Director
LeapFrog Design Creative Director
Fusion Marketing Brand Director
The Scudamore B.F.A. Otis/Parson's School of Design
leapfrogdesign@san.rr.com
Craig Carlson
Principal, Craig Carlson Photography
MA in Art, Studio Area: Photography
Humboldt State University
Min Choi
Graphic Designer, Visual Asylum
BA in Graphic Design, San Diego State University
www.visualasylum.com
Jaleen Francois
jaleenafied Design
BS in Graphic Design, University of Cincinnati
Angela Hill
President/Creative Director, Incitrio design{brand}media
BFA Visual Communications, Washington University in Saint Louis
incitrio.com
Courtney Mayer
Principal, Seabright Studio
MFA, Graphic Design, Washington State University
Andrew Nilsen
Designer, Fuelhaus Brand Strategy and Design
BS in Graphic Design, University of Cincinnati
www.fuelhaus.com
Rosemary Rae
BFA in Graphic Design, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia PA
Owner and Designer, saraswaticards
www.saraswaticards.com
Andrew Salituri
Graphic Designer, Conover
BS in Art & Design, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
www.studioconover.com
Kellie Schroeder
President, Fuelhaus Brand Strategy and Design
BS in Graphic Design, University of Cincinnati
fuelhaus.com
Neil Shigley
BFA in Illustration, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena
neilshigley.com
(Fine Art),
shigleyid.com (Illustration and Design)
Jeff Silva
BFA, Graphic Design, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena
Beth Weeks
Freelance Graphic Designer
BS in Graphic Design, University of Cincinnati
Scott Wyss
Graphic Designer
BFA in Graphic Design, The University of the Arts