More About the Program
In the Franciscan tradition of service, caring and openness to all, the mission of The Department of Media Communication is to prepare competent, well-trained and liberally educated men and women in the converging field of media. Students will gain knowledge through theory, practical and applied learning which will provide the valuable education and experience needed for a career in this challenging field.
The Department of Media Communication offers programs in which students seriously interested in the wide and varied careers in communication can become personally involved by working with and learning from people both inside and outside the profession. The faculty in the department are aware of the skills, which those in the businesses of radio, television, print, public relations, photography, advertising, graphic design and new media demand of incoming professionals in a converging industry.
The Briar Cliff University major in graphic design integrates the traditional mass communication education with design and production skills for the field of graphic design. The program includes typography, drawing, history, design theory and design production. This interdisciplinary program will produce educated and well-trained men and women in a liberal arts tradition. Students will gain a solid understanding of the capabilities of new technology and learn to create and design information for the complex global community in which we live.
All graphic design majors must complete a minimum of three credit hours of internship/work experience at an approved graphic design site. It is strongly recommended that a student majoring in graphic design obtain at least a minor in one of the following disciplines: art, business administration, marketing, mass communications, psychology or writing.
Upon graduation, students majoring in graphic design will be able to interpret the role of the media and how it has affected society from a historical perspective, demonstrate an understanding of the profession within the context of convergence, have knowledge of theories and concepts prevalent in the field, understand the broad history of the visual arts and visual communications, define graphic design, become familiar with design precedents, be familiar with important legal issues that face the field of mass communication, develop personal values based upon ethical standards, recognize ethical dilemmas that face mass media professionals, recognize the power of the media and its effects on society, demonstrate proficiency in the various writing styles appropriate for the communication professions, demonstrate the ability to write and edit articles for publication, critically evaluate written and oral presentations for style and content, interpret, create, and disseminate visual information, be able to draw still life and the figure, be able to design two and or three dimensional compositions, obtain and demonstrate the skills necessary to use technologies appropriate to the field, plan, create, and complete projects using electronic media, apply the knowledge and skills appropriate in the communication field, demonstrate skills needed for an entry-level position in the profession, understand, analyze and evaluate research, and demonstrate an understanding of research methods.
Career Options
- Graphic Designer
- Creative Director
- User Experience (UX) Designer
- User Interface (UI) Designer
- Production Artist
- Product Developer
- Art Director
- Marketing Specialist
- Multimedia Artist
- Animator
- Freelancer
- Brand Identity Designer
- Illustrator
- Web Designer
- Logo Designer
- Interior Spatial Designer
- Magazine Designer
- Cartoonist