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Our knowledgeable instructors are committed to supporting your progress by providing opportunities for hands-on practice and encouraging you to develop job-ready skills. As an advertising graphic design major, you will have the opportunity to create a portfolio of polished work that will showcase your ability to blend detailed attention with a broader strategic vision, featuring compelling and memorable brand experiences. You’ll gain expertise in design strategy and brand promotion, developing a professional portfolio that highlights your proficiency in creating impactful visuals and strategies that represent a broad spectrum of industries and project types.
Develop Your Portfolio
This portfolio will be a key asset throughout your career, demonstrating your skills to potential employers and clients while adapting to the evolving digital landscape. A professional portfolio is often required or expected for the purpose of demonstrating career qualifications during the job search process.2
Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
As an advertising and graphic design professional, you may choose to work at a corporate advertising department, in a marketing agency or in the media. Aspiring graphic designers may decide to enhance their career by earning voluntary certifications in graphic design software. These are typically available through the software vendors.2 Some graduates may decide to pursue an entrepreneurial path.3
Career paths that may be related to this degree program include:
Graphic designer
Art director
Web and digital interface designer
Special effects artists and animator
Artist
Median annual salary for graphic designers as of May 20234
Prepare for an artistic career in graphic design and advertising.
This bachelor’s degree in graphic design and advertising helps nurture creativity and innovation within a collaborative environment. You will be immersed in a well-rounded, distinctly Christian education, with faith-integrated courses that encourage you to explore the Christian worldview.
To facilitate greater access to education regardless of geographic location or current work commitments, GCU is pleased to offer this graphic design and advertising degree entirely online. Connect with your peers and instructors on our intuitive e-learning platform. All our online courses maintain the same academic standards as our on-campus courses.
Traditional on-campus students will be immersed within a supportive learning environment. Enjoy face-to-face class lectures and discussions with your fellow classmates during practical class activities. Attending classes in person offers you the opportunity to take advantage of our extensive campus life — from clubs and activities to sports and more.
This degree program is designed to teach you a versatile skill set, covering creative design with images, typography, textures, color and shape, as well as production methods, photography, illustration and emerging technologies. Students are responsible for meeting the technical requirements of the courses, including having a working laptop that will run industry-standard software.
Some of the skills and knowledge covered by this graphic design degree program include the following:
Creative concept development
Refining your artistic ideas
Image creation and manipulation
Designing and editing image files
Creative copywriting
Implementing techniques for digital media, social media, printed products and broadcast
Typography
Understanding the fundamentals and traditions of designing with type
Production management
Structuring and preparing electronic files for a range of mediums
Software usage
Mastering software required in the industry
While considering your career options in visual communication, you may find it helpful to explore the following frequently asked questions and answers.
Graphic designers in advertising collaborate with other designers, marketing departments and stakeholders to develop effective, content-rich material. In addition to creating eye-catching designs and page layouts, graphic designers in advertising may also use creative strategy to design logos and create print advertisements for campaigns. The goal is to promote branding awareness and encourage sales for the company.
To be an effective advertising designer, it’s essential to have robust competencies in design principles and techniques.1 Graphic designers can benefit from being creative individuals who understand brand promotion and audience targeting.1,3 Communication skills, time management, problem solving and strategic thinking are also important, as are technical skills. For instance, graphic designers are generally expected to be proficient in the use of design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop.1
Graphic design can be a meaningful and fulfilling career for individuals who are creative and artistic. With a background in graphic design, you could potentially pursue work across a variety of industries. If you have an entrepreneurial mindset, you might even establish your own graphic design business, such as by freelancing in a work-from-home arrangement.3
A degree in advertising and graphic design can be worth it if you're passionate about artistic techniques and visual communication. If you have a solid foundation in computer literacy and a keen interest in learning technical skills, such as using graphic design software, this path could be ideal for you.
GCU strives to thoroughly prepare our students to become career-ready graduates who are capable of tackling modern challenges in their respective industries. As an institutionally accredited university, we prioritize academic quality. In addition, the Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Arts and Media shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
1 BrainStation. (2024). What Skills Do Graphic Designers Need? Retrieved July 31, 2024.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). How to Become a Graphic Designer. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
3 Coursera Staff. (2023, Nov. 29). What Does a Graphic Designer Do? And How Do I Become One? Coursera. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
4 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Graphic Designers as of May 2023, retrieved on July 31, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as graphic designers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
Advertising and graphic design may be an ideal field for creative thinkers who are also effective problem solvers.1 Advertising and design professionals collaborate with their co-workers and clients to present brands in a desirable light across multiple mediums. Nurture your love of art and creativity with the Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Graphic Design degree, offered by the College of Arts and Media at Grand Canyon University.
This advertising and graphic design program offers a progressively challenging curriculum, focusing on core concepts and skills. You will conceptualize creative advertising and lead comprehensive campaigns with hands-on, collaborative studio classes involving real client projects.
