graphic design

become the design visionary you were created to be. hone your skills and talent by learning from respected creative professionals in the graphic design industry. we'll teach you theory, professionalism, and how to stay current with emerging technology — so you can inspire change.

you’ll learn industry best practices with an emphasis on business ethics. you’ll be grounded in a christian, service-minded worldview. you'll grow in the design principles of hand, eye, mind and heart — to fully live out your purpose. and in a creative city like nashville, you'll never lack inspiration.

you will be sought after by businesses to take on high-profile internships. our students have gained experience at bonnaroo music and arts festival, redpepper creative agency, frist art museum, native magazine and more. the rigorous education you will receive here will prepare you for success.

program foundations

capstone projects

for bfa only:

you’ll take a graphic design firm course as a senior. the class structure will be just like a real design firm, where the professor is your art director and you and fellow students will take on the role of production designers for clients.

you'll also take a capstone portfolio development and review course during your final semester. presentation to and approval by an adjudicating committee composed of full and adjunct professors in the department is part of the process. your presentation will include work from previous courses, influences and directions for future growth as well as a concise agenda for the capstone.

entrance portfolios

courses

graphic design, b.f.a.

graphic design minor

contact information

95%

job placement rate

internship

become more competitive in the job market with an internship related to your interests. you’ll gain experience and boost your exposure. an internship will also help you learn whether you’ve chosen a career you’ll enjoy.

study abroad

see the world — whether it’s italy, austria, costa rica, england or another country. career opportunities will open for you as you sharpen your foreign language skills. gain the international experience and cross-cultural communication skills you’ll need in our global economy.

job placement

with a top-tier university education on your resume, you’ll be in high demand, whether you choose to launch your career or begin graduate school. most of our programs have a placement rate of at least 90 percent within six months of graduation.

100%

graduate school acceptance rate

our faculty

rocky horton

director of school of art & design and chair of visual arts department

rocky horton was born in arlington, tennessee. after graduating with a bachelor of science degree in art from harding university, he lived and worked in italy, first milano then napoli,...
meet rocky horton
carlos hooper

director of the graphic design program

meet carlos hooper

career paths

graphic designers

graphic designers create visual concepts by hand or by using computer software to communicate ideas that inspire, inform and captivate consumers. they develop the overall layout and production design for various applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines and corporate reports.

advertising, promotions and marketing managers

advertising, promotions and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services. they work with art directors, sales agents and financial staff members.

desktop publishers

desktop publishers use computer software to design page layouts for newspapers, books, brochures and other items that are printed or published online.