Features

Major Spotlight: Graphic Design

Monmouth offers a Bachelor of Arts in Design and Animation with a Concentration in Graphic and Interactive Design. The comprehensive coursework prepares students to pursue careers in graphic design along with other associated fields. During a student’s time at Monmouth, they will learn marketable skills, and the major also requires that students take on an internship. This helps students gain experience in the field and set them up for success after graduation.

There are a multitude of benefits to studying graphic and interactive design at Monmouth. Professor of Graphic and Interactive Design, Jing Zhou, MFA, said, “We offer personalized learning experiences and small class sizes. By being situated near major metropolitan cultural centers, such as New York and Philadelphia, we provide students the opportunity to visit, intern, and gain noteworthy firsthand experiences in these locations during and after school.”

Smaller schools can better foster relationships between faculty and students, preparing them for a career after college. Ryan Leming, a senior graphic and interactive design student, said, “Studying graphic design at Monmouth University has many clear benefits. The professors at Monmouth are by far the greatest asset. They are compassionate mentors committed to enhancing their students’ abilities in addition to being extremely competent professionals in their field.”

He added, “This personalized approach to education encourages greater engagement and collaboration between students and faculty.”

A high level of conceptualization and implementation allows students to be successful in such a detail-oriented field. Leming explained, “Students who study graphic design acquire a wide range of skills that are crucial in the current digital environment. Creativity, technical expertise, visual communication, attention to detail, and adaptability are a few of the most crucial abilities.”

Not only does graphic design create visually appealing work, it helps deliver a meaningful message to its audience. Leming said, “Overall, studying graphic design provides students with a versatile skill set that can be applied across various industries, from advertising and marketing to web design and publishing.”

Students that graduate with a degree in Design and Animation with a Concentration from Monmouth University have gone on to pursue careers in illustration, editorial design, web design, architectural graphics, and more. While graphic design is a competitive industry, Monmouth encourages students to create a strong portfolio and resume and to network with professionals in the field as a way to support student success post-graduation.