Bachelor of Arts: Graphic Arts
Are you interested in both the technical and creative aspects of publishing? Are you interested in creating computer-generated art? Do you have an appreciation for combining text and image to tell a story? Do you appreciate good layout design in a magazine or website?
The Graphic Arts program at Concordia University Chicago combines both good designing skills with the technical knowledge to excel in the publishing and printing world.
Program Overview
Concordia’s Graphic Arts program offers you the opportunity to use advanced computer technology to design a variety of print and digital communication and marketing materials. Concordia offers a well-equipped computer lab with the latest versions of Adobe’s Creative Suite: Adobe InDesign®, Adobe Photoshop®, Adobe Illustrator® and Acrobat®. You’ll learn to design on both PC and Macintosh operating systems to prepare you for a variety of work environments.
Our Graphic Arts program emphasizes artistic sensibility to understand and implement key design elements, technical aptitude to master design software and utilize technology, written and oral communication skills, the importance of being organized to meet deadlines, and critical thinking skills in order to effectively solve problems as they arise.
As a Graphic Arts major or minor, you will take both computer related courses as well as studio art courses to develop both your sense of design and your computer knowledge. You have the opportunity to design artworkfor gallery exhibits, University publications, the Communication/Theatre Department and the greater community at large. Senior art majors also show off their own design work in the Annual Senior Art Exhibit in the University’s Ferguson Art Gallery.
We emphasize artistic sensibility to understand and implement key design elements, technical aptitude to master design software and utilize technology, written and oral communication skills, the importance of being organized to meet deadlines, and critical thinking skills.
Our Professional Strategies for the Visual Arts course provides our senior graphic arts majors with a solid portfolio, resume, artist statement and the confidence to apply for graphic arts positions or graduate school. The required Graphic Arts Internship for seniors positions you for employment. Concordia’s Art Department consists of large, well-equipped studios, a dark room for photography, a computer lab with CS5 suite, scanner, laser and ink-jet printers, a lecture hall and an outdoor kiln area for raku firing of ceramics.
General Course Information
If you major in Graphic Arts at Concordia, you will take required courses that give you a strong foundation in the visual arts from a two-dimensional perspective. More advance courses for the major include computer-assisted such as Graphic Design, Digital Photography I, Desktop Publishing I & II. Our required Graphic Arts Internship and Professional Strategies for the Visual Artist complete your senior year.
You may choose electives from: Elements and Practices of Web Design, Painting, Printmaking, Digital Photography II, Artists’ Books and Three-Dimensional Basic Studio. Through these courses you will develop a dynamic portfolio and a strong artist’s statement. If you’re choosing to minor in graphic arts, you are required to take several art courses and have the option to choose from many electives to complete requirements.
For more information, visit our catalog pages for required courses.
Opportunities
CUC’s design facilities include three studios, a new complete photo lab that includes 10 developing and enlarging stations, a digital photography lab and two computer labs. Our up-to-date technology will enable you to work with the tools necessary to create and design without limitations.
Our Ferguson Art Gallery provides the opportunity to showcase your work in the Senior Exhibit, as well as other times throughout the year.
CUC’s location 10 miles from downtown Chicago enables you to study in a culturally rich environment and learn beyond the classroom. With museums, art organizations and centers throughout the Chicago region, the possibilities to strengthen your knowledge with hands-on learning are almost endless.