The College of New Jersey Logo

Apply     Visit     Give     |     Alumni     Parents     Offices     TCNJ Today     Three Bar Menu

Graphic Design Specialization

The graphic design specialization of the visual arts major provides conceptual, theoretical, and technical problem-solving skills in the field of visual communication and prepares students to be creative, collaborative, and critical so that they can succeed in the competitive design profession. We approach the profession as an interdisciplinary, cross-media field that is rooted in the fine arts as they become creators and interpreters of the environment in which we live, students will develop their personal vision and cultivate a sense of social responsibility as designers who contribute to culture.  They will be able to perceive and adapt to changing cultural and technological demands and to the fast-growing design profession. Students who specialize in graphic design may choose to explore print and or digital media. The curriculum includes coursework in typography, image-making, theories and history, web and multimedia design, and research and portfolio development. Students are prepared for a wide range of employment opportunities in publishing, advertising, branding, and identity systems, packaging, information design, as well as design for the World Wide Web and other digital devices.

Specialization Requirements

(22 courses)

Visual Arts Required Core

(6 courses)

  • AAV 102/Visual Thinking
  • AAV 111/Drawing
  • AAV 112/2-D
  • AAV 113/3-D
  • AAV 130/Photography
  • AAV 140/4-D

Art History Required Core

(4 courses)

  • AAH 252/ 20th Century European and American Art
  • AAH XXX/ 200 or 300-level Art History course in European Tradition
  • AAH XXX/ Non-Western Art History
  • Graphic Design: AAV 350/ History of Graphic Design

Graphic Design Required Core

(5 courses)

  • AAV 350/History of Graphic Design
  • AAV 251/Design Fundamentals
  • AAV 252/Typography
  • AAV 253/Conceptual Image
  • AAV 255/Web 1

Print Media Track Advanced Courses

(3 courses)

  • AAV 352/Advanced Typography
  • AAV 353/3-D Graphic Design
  • AAV 354/Identity

Digital Media Track Advanced Courses

(3 courses)

  • AAV 355/Web 2
  • AAV 356/Motion Graphics
  • AAV 357/User Interface / User Experience Design

Studio Electives

(2 courses)

Print Media Track

Any studio courses at the 200 or 300 level.

 

Digital Media Track

Any studio courses at the 200 or 300 level/

Capstone

(3 courses)

  • AAV 358/Theories & Practice in Graphic Design
  • AAV 458/Professional Practice in Graphic Design
  • AAV 495/Senior Portfolio in Graphic Design

Recommended Second-Year Program of Study: Graphic Design Specialization

First Semester

  • AAV 251/Design Fundamentals – (1 course unit)
  • AAV 252/Typography – (1 course unit)
  • Art History course – (1 course unit)
  • FYW or FYS – (1 course unit)

Second Semester

  • AAV 350/History of Graphic Design – (1 course unit)
  • AAV 255/Web 1 – (1 course unit)
  • AAV 253/Conceptual Image – (1 course unit)
  • Art History course – (1 course unit)
  • Sophomore Review – (0 course unit)

Total for Year: 8 course units

Recommended Third-Year Program of Study: Graphic Design Specialization, Print Media Track

First Semester

  • AAV 352/Advanced Typography or AAV 353/3-DGD(1 course unit)
  • Studio Art Elective – (1 course unit)
  • Art History course – 1 course unit
  • Elective/College Core/Courses in minor – (1 course unit)

Second Semester

  • AAV 354/Identity – (1 course unit)
  • AAV 358/Theories & Practice in Graphic Design – (1 course unit)
  • Elective/College Core/Courses in minor – (1 course unit)
  • Elective/College Core/Courses in minor – (1 course unit)

Total for Year: 8 course units

Recommended Third-Year Program of Study: Graphic Design Specialization, Digital Media Track

First Semester

  • AAV 356/Motion Graphics or AAV335/Web 2- (1 course unit)
  • Studio Art Elective – (1 course unit)
  • Art History course – (1 course unit)
  • Elective/College Core/Courses in minor – (1 course unit)

 

Second Semester

  • AAV 357/User Interface/User Experience Design – (1 course unit)
  • AAV 358/Theories & Practice in Graphic Design – (1 course unit)
  • Elective/College Core/Courses in minor – (1 course unit)
  • Elective/College Core/Courses in minor – (1 course unit)

Total for Year: 8 course units

Recommended Fourth-Year Program of Study: Graphic Design Specialization, Print Media Track

First Semester

  • AAV 352/Advanced Typography or AAV 353/3-DGD (1 course unit)
  • AAV 458/Professional Practice in Graphic Design – (1 course unit)
  • Elective/College Core/Courses in minor – (1 course unit)
  • Elective/College Core/Courses in minor – (1 course unit)

Second Semester

  • AAV 495/Graphic Design Portfolio – (1 course unit)
  • Internship or studio elective – (1 course unit)
  • Elective/College Core/Courses in minor – (1 course unit)
  • Elective/College Core/Courses in minor – (1 course unit)

Total for Year: 8 course units

Recommended Fourth-Year Program of Study: Graphic Design Specialization, Digital Track

First Semester

  • AAV 356/Motion Graphics or AAV 355/Web 2 – (1 course unit)
  • AAV 458/Professional Practice in Graphic Design – (1 course unit)
  • Elective/College Core/Courses in Minor – (1 course unit)
  • Elective/College Core/Courses in Minor – (1 course unit)

Second Semester

  • AAV 459/Graphic Design Portfolio – (1 course unit)
  • Internship or studio elective – (1 course unit)
  • Elective/College Core/Courses in minor – (1 course unit)
  • Elective/College Core/Courses in minor – (1 course unit)

Total for Year: 8 course units