Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Graphic Design
Overview
Turn Your Passion for Creativity into a Career
Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Graphic Design degree program develops students into creators of innovative advertising solutions by applying integrated media strategies. This BA in graphic design focuses on training students to strategize for advertising brands. You will cultivate the knowledge to creatively impact a variety of organizations, from advertising agencies and design studios to in-house corporate marketing departments and media industries.
The BA in Advertising and Graphic Design curriculum centers on creative thinking, strategic problem solving, collaboration, brand and campaign development and technology training for multi-platform campaigns. Three studio courses are central to this curriculum where students will work on active client projects with their peers. These projects are designed to grow in complexity and mirror the progression of job skills in an advertising agency. You will also learn how our Christian worldview principles apply to the discipline and challenge of changing another’s thinking and behavior. Learning experiences focus on the practice of values-based considerations for the means and ends of persuasive aim in real-world scenarios.
Degree Outcomes
Prepare for Creative Conceptualization and Strategy
You will move throughout the bachelors in advertising program as a growing creative driver of innovative concept and strategy, understanding the ins and outs of bringing conceptualized ideas to reality and audiences. Your working experience in studio courses will provide you with portfolios containing a broad variety of projects. These work samples will show exposure to the advertising industry at both the local and national levels, along with the skills to meet current industry demands for cutting-edge designers, art directors and creative specialists. Studio courses are designed to help you develop these portfolios into an effective tool to enhance your qualifications during the job search.
What You Will Learn
Develop Your Craft in Advertising and Design
You will engage in diverse areas of advertising innovation and creative design. Bachelor of Arts in graphic design topics include design thinking, advertising and design fundamentals, digital photography, production methods, advertising copywriting, image creation and web design. These concepts will prepare you to explore various career opportunities such as graphic designer, art director, multimedia artist and animator, as well as advertising and promotions manager.
Career Outcomes
Work in the Exciting Fields of Advertising, Design or Media
The purpose of the BA in Advertising and Graphic Design program is to respond to the needs of local and national markets seeking well-prepared, innovative professional creatives. Students may also pursue career paths as interior designers, film and video editors, producers, public relations and fundraising managers, marketing managers and public relations specialists. Creatives may even continue to advance their career toward becoming a director for radio, television, stage and motion pictures. This degree father opens opportunities for pursuing self-employment as a freelancer or self-run business.
Course List
General Education Requirements
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University’s General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
Requirements
Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.
Course Options
- UNV-103, University Success: 4 credits
- UNV-303, University Success: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition.
Course Options
- ENG-105, English Composition I: 4 credits
- UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4 credits
- ENG-106, English Composition II: 4 credits
- COM-263, Elements of Intercultural Communication: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV-101/CWV-301.
Course Options
- CWV-101, Christian Worldview: 4 credits
- CWV-301, Christian Worldview: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments. Students are required to take 3 credits of college mathematics or higher.
Course Options
- MAT-144, College Mathematics: 4 credits
Requirements
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, crosscultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.
Course Options
- INT-244, World Religions: 4 credits
- PSY-100, Psychology in Everyday Life: 4 credits
- SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4 credits
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This survey course introduces students to basic design thinking, including principles and elements of design, and concepts of composition. This course includes reading, writing, and lab assignments and requires the creation and exhibition of student artwork. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu.
Course Description
This course introduces the fundamentals of the advertising industry including basic elements of campaign strategy and design. Students learn the foundational communication and writing skills necessary to create effective campaigns. Contemporary legal and ethical issues in advertising are also addressed. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the basic elements of design and processes of visual communication using graphic tools standard in the industry. The focus is on mastering pixel, vector, and layout tools to demonstrate two-dimensional graphics, images, symbols, color theory, typography, and composition. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu.
Course Description
In this introductory digital photography course, students explore basic camera operation, digital capture, photographic principles, lighting, and visual design elements. This course includes reading, writing, and lab assignments and requires the creation and exhibition of student photography. This is not a photo manipulation course. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Students are required to provide their own DSLR camera and tripod.
Course Description
During this course students will apply the concepts of production management, including structuring and preparing electronic files through production for a variety of mediums. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu.
Course Description
This course builds on design fundamentals by increasing students’ understanding of content development and production methods within the advertising design process. Students will create and produce advertising campaigns and products of various scope and size. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Prerequisite: ADV-110, DDN-110.
Course Description
This course explores fundamentals and traditions for designing with type, as well as corporate design with an emphasis on typography with integration of vector designs and photography into promotional pieces. Students propose and create solutions for visual problems with type. This course includes reading, writing, and lab assignments and requires the creation and exhibition of student artwork. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Prerequisite: DDN-110.
Course Description
This writing intensive course focuses on creative copywriting techniques to develop advertising campaigns for print and multimedia channels. Students enhance persuasive writing skills to create compelling and ethical advertising campaigns that are competitive in the industry. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Prerequisite: ENG-106, ADV-250.
Course Description
In this course, students learn visual design for the Web, building structure and presentation. Web layouts and style, artistic quality and performance, and navigation and accessibility are explored in the development of Web sites using HTML and CSS. The focus of the course is to develop a core foundation in HTML and CSS before the evaluation of other Web development tools. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Prerequisite: DDN-110 or permission of instructor.
Course Description
Students learn methods of image creation, including vectors, typographic, and pixel-based imagery manipulation, for the purposes of aligning image production with advertising campaign strategy. Emphasis is placed on selection of appropriate imagery through analysis of audience needs, historical representation of ideas, stereotypes, and cultural iconography. Each student will need a laptop computer with the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Prerequisite: ADV-110, DDN-110, ADV-250.
Course Description
This writing intensive course provides an overview of the laws and regulations that apply to advertising, marketing, and media organizations with emphasis on business organization, intellectual property, and regulatory processes. Ethical practices and theory as they apply to the mass media industry are also addressed. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu.
Course Description
This course focuses on intermediate Web design from concept development—including roughs and wireframes—to design comps and interactive mock-ups. Students create sitemaps, flow diagrams, and basic user tests to help determine nomenclature, as well as wireframes that represent working models with page elements and functional specifications. Students learn to evaluate web site usability, as well as to conduct accessibility testing. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Students will also purchase their own domain name and internet hosting service. Prerequisite: DDN-300.
Course Description
This writing intensive course explores integrated marketing communications and the development of marketing and advertising messages across digital platforms. Students focus on current trends in online advertising, social media platforms, and relevant emerging technologies. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Prerequisite: ADV-260.
Course Description
Students work with industry-based projects within a highly collaborative environment to develop strong strategy and concept development methodologies. Projects focus on production methods for print, web, and digital media. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Prerequisite: DDN-210, DDN-300, ADV-355.
Course Description
In this course students use the principles of user experience and user interaction to improve client-brand relationships within industry-based projects. Students create client and consumer profiles and develop projects within a highly collaborative environment. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Prerequisite: ADV-371.
Course Description
In this advanced design course, students incorporate their personal style into the development of a portfolio. Professional design projects for a variety of campus and studio-based projects provide opportunities for students to fine-tune solutions for customer-driven, reality-based design problems. Students propose design solutions, practicing their communication and presentation skills while exploring career opportunities. The ethics of business practice is incorporated into studio projects. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Prerequisite: Senior standing.
Course Description
Working with industry-based projects, students act as art directors to concept, develop, and produce interactive and multi-platform advertising solutions within a highly collaborative environment. Working in teams, students strengthen their process of collaboration from initial project identification through to final production. Technology requirement: Students are responsible for providing their own laptop that is capable of running the Adobe Creative Cloud. Verify required technical specifications in the University Policy Handbook available on www.gcu.edu. Prerequisite: ADV-456.
Program Locations
Campus
Online
Evening
* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program's published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution's catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who started the program in the same year and then graduated within the published program length.
Online and Evening program disclosures On-campus program disclosures* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.