Graphic Design
What Can I Do With My Major?
Overview
The Graphic Design (BFA) is the definitive professional degree in the field. Appalachian State University’s program prepares students for professional practice in all forms of visual communication design across a wide range of media with an emphasis on conceptual approaches, research and production methods.
You’ll learn from faculty who are experienced and professionally active designers. Course work stresses conceptual thinking, typographic expression, formal and technical processes and skills, and proficiency in creative problem-solving and visual criticism.
Related Careers
Advertising account executive
Advertising director*
Animator
Art/creative director*
Cartoonist
Communications specialist
Design studio manager*
Editorial artist
Fashion illustrator
Freelancer
Graphic designer
Illustrator
Layout artist
Media center manager*
Medical Illustrator
Merchandise designer
Photojournalist
Publications designer
Video game designer
Web designer
*additional experience or advanced degree may be required
Relevant Skills
- Communicate ideas, thoughts, and feelings with a variety of materials and media
- Develop a heightened sense of beauty, rhythm, and style
- Develop an ability to compete in a changing market
- Develop an ability to teach, assess, plan and evaluate.
- Develop intuition and innovation in understanding and extracting ideas to generate visual concepts
- Mastery of artistic skills using computer based technology
- Organize and give attention to detail
Internship Opportunities
321 Blink
Able Custom Signs
Appalachian Regional Medical Associates
Appalachian State Athletics
AroEleven Marketing Digital
Big Bridge Design
Bobcats Sports and Entertainments
CC Communications, Inc.
Discovery Horizon
Duke University Communication Services
Go Fish Digital
Gracelaced
Independent Studios
Ink Floyd
International Focus Inc.
iostudio
Kudzu Branding and Design
LeadVision LLC
Lightbulb Creative
Maison Reciprocity
Market Connections
MODE
North Carolina Music Hall of Fame
Package Media Design
Publicis
Red House Group
Reinert Fine Art
Tallo
Tricia Treacy
University Recreation
World's Finest Chocolate
Zero Canvas
Employers of AppState Grads
Beacon Technologies
Blue Ridge Printing Co., Inc.
Cardno
Carolina Graphic Enterprises
Classic
Creative Printing & Internet Services, Llc
Cutco Vector Marketing
Full Metal Chicken
Gilbarco Veeder-Root
Hannah Groves Media House
HBF Textiles
Hearst Studio D
Kreber
Merchants Distributors, Inc.
Mountain Times
Mountaineer Printing
Ravenscroft School
Revolution Balance Boards
Shift Creative Agency
Shurtape Technologies, LLC
The Mint Museum
The Walt Disney Company
The Variable
Valassis
Vonage
Variety Wholesalers, Inc
Wikoff Color Corporation
Wildcraft Creative Services
Preparing for Your Career
• Develop excellent interpersonal skills to work with diverse populations
• Look for internships and jobs in to gain knowledge and experience
• Participation in internships and summer jobs in a relevant setting
How can I know if a Graphic Design major is right for me?
• Complete a self-assessment inventory at the Career Exploration Office in the Student Union to see how your interests, values, and personality match this major and related career fields.
• Schedule an appointment with a career counselor on careers.appstate.edu/Handshake
• Obtain direct experience by doing a job shadow
• Conduct an informational interview with a professional in the field
For more information on careers & job outlook: onetonline.org