Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
Become a strategic, visual storyteller as a graphic design major.
Get Started Today
Ready to learn more about Concordia University Irvine?
Complete this form, and an admissions counselor will connect with you.
"*" indicates required fields
Push Your Creativity
Flex your creative muscles and prepare for a career in the dynamic and exciting field of graphic design with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Concordia University Irvine. In small classes with faculty who support and empower you in your callings, you’ll learn to turn ideas and experiences into innovative design pieces using images, forms, and typography.
In the graphic design program, you’ll hone your artistic skills, apply the fundamentals of good design, learn to use professional design software, and build a portfolio that showcases your real-world experience. You’ll leave the program equipped for success in the visual arts.
Career Relevant
Gain real-world skills for a life of service and leadership.
Collaborative Classes
Learn in classes with a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Opportunity Awaits
Access internship and career opportunities across Southern CA.
Getting Started
Throughout the graphic design degree program, you’ll gain knowledge in traditional linear print media, web design, motion graphics, and time-based media.
Along with the courses you’ll take, you’ll also have the opportunity to complete an internship for credit. Working with an experienced on-site supervisor, you’ll be able to create professional-level assets for your portfolio during this internship.
Next Start
January 11, 2027
Curriculum
Core Curriculum (Sample Courses):
- ARTG261 – Graphic Design I
- ARTG270 – Digital Publishing
- ARTG271 – Digital Image Manipulation
- ARTG272 – Digital Illustration
- ARTG300 – History of Graphic Design
- ARTG360 – Typography I
- ARTG361 – Graphic Design II
- ARTG460 – Typography II
- ARTG461 – Senior Capstone Portfolio
- ARTG472 – Web Design I
- ARTG482 – Web Design II
View the Concordia University Irvine Online Catalog for a full list of courses.
Graphic design graduates from Concordia will be able to:
- Generate projects that apply elements and principles of design.
- Produce symbolic representations.
- Employ principles of typographic formalism to designs.
- Create imagery that utilizes studio art and digital illustrations.
- Apply technology used in the graphic design industry.
- Develop conceptual, visual, and creative techniques in the design planning process.
- Write creative briefs that communicate design ideas and expectations.
Tuition and Fees
At Concordia, we understand that investing in your education is a significant decision. That’s why we offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make your academic journey more affordable. In fact, 100% of our students receive some form of financial assistance! View tuition costs and fees for undergraduate programs.
Scholarship/Portfolio
The Art Department at Concordia University Irvine offers scholarship opportunities to students who show strong promise in studio art and graphic design. Scholarship amounts are determined by portfolio. Applicants must declare a studio art or graphic design major in order to receive scholarship funds.
Scholarship funds are limited, and thus the application process is competitive. Students are encouraged to apply early.
Typical awards range from $2,000 – $3,000.
The bulk of the scholarships will be decided by March 31, 2026. It is still possible to apply after that date, but resources may be limited.
Portfolio
The portfolio should include 10 images (jpeg or pdf). Portfolio artwork may include drawings, painting, photography, ceramics, digital works, mixed media, printmaking, sculptures, etc. Portfolios may include coursework or artwork created outside of art courses, preferably within the past two years.
Requirements to Maintain Your Scholarship
Once a scholarship has been earned, the only requirements to continue earning the scholarship funds each year at Concordia are:
- The student must enroll in one 3 credit hour course in art/graphic design each year.
- Maintain an Art/Graphic Design minor if they choose to change majors.
- The student must maintain a 2.5 grade point average.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Prof. Rachel Soo at (949) 214-3289.
Admission Requirements
View the Application page for full details on application and admission requirements.
Nationally Recognized Q&I Curriculum
Concordia University Irvine is among a distinctive group of universities that offer a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum for all of its students. Our nationally recognized Enduring Questions & Ideas curriculum (Q&I, for short) is carefully crafted so that you discover the purpose of a liberal arts education — to grow intellectually, ethically, and spiritually.
Internships
During your junior or senior year, you’ll complete an internship or practicum in the graphic design field. With our convenient location in Irvine, you’ll have access to a large number of design and media opportunities in Southern California.
Career Outcomes
Graphic designers are needed in a wide range of industries, so there are no limits to where graphic design majors can find work. With about 20,000 openings for graphic designers projected each year between 2024 and 20341, you’ll have opportunities to use your unique skills in roles like:
- Graphic Designer
- Digital Marketing
- Brand Identity
- Package Designer
- Web UX & UI
- Product Designer
Academic Opportunities
Pair your graphic design major with a related minor or double major to expand your creative and professional potential:
Extracurricular Activities
At Concordia, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice your craft. Build your portfolio while you gain experience in digital publishing, image editing, and illustration when you participate in service learning projects and organizations such as:
- Aerie Magazine
- On-Campus Art Exhibits and Lectures
- Annual Art Senior Art Capstone Exhibition
- Annual Graphic Design Capstone Portfolio Exhibition
- On-Campus and Local Organization Design Projects
Life at Concordia
Join a community where you’re free to explore your interests and pursuits, make relationships that last a lifetime, and develop your own relationship with God. What will you explore?
Explore Financial Aid
Reduce your tuition costs with financial aid — with help from a team that wants to make your time at Concordia as affordable as possible.
Meet Our Faculty
FAQs
Is graphic design a good career?
Graphic design will always be a major part of marketing and other large industries. If you enjoy putting your creativity energy into practice, graphic design could be a great career for you!
Concordia graphic design majors have gone on to work for small organizations and big names alike, including Culver’s, Disney, Nike, Roxy, and many more. Wherever your callings lead you, you’ll be well-prepared for success in graphic design.
What university is best for graphic design?
Many colleges offer graphic design programs, but finding the right fit means looking at the whole picture: the curriculum, cost, community, and how supported you’ll feel along the way.
At Concordia, you’ll find a caring environment where your professors know you by name and want to see you thrive. You’ll explore courses in typography, printmaking, video art, and illustration, discovering not only your creative direction but also how your talents can serve others.
What skills do you need to become a graphic designer?
Graphic design blends creativity, curiosity, and technical skill. At Concordia, you’ll develop both the hard and soft skills that make great designers stand out — and make their work meaningful.
Some of the most valuable skills include:
- Typography and layout design
- Animation and motion graphics
- Collaboration and communication
- Software proficiency (Adobe Creative Suite, etc.)
- Problem-solving and presentation skills
You’ll also grow in confidence as you learn to share ideas, receive feedback, and tell stories that inspire.
Do graphic designers work from home?
Yes! Many graphic designers work remotely or as freelancers, collaborating with clients and teams online. Concordia prepares you for this flexibility with hands-on projects, internship opportunities, and digital collaboration experience, so you’ll be ready to create from wherever life takes you.
Related Programs
-
Psychology
Study the mind and explore human behavior with a psychology…
-
Music
Develop your musical talent and inspire others with a music…
-
Mathematics
Join a fast-growing field when you earn an in-demand math…
-
Liberal Arts
Prepare for all of your life’s callings with a liberal…
-
History and Political Thought
Learn from the past to lead with understanding and purpose.
-
English
Learn to think deeply and write clearly with an English…
-
Engineering
Imagine, innovate, and create with an engineering degree.
-
Digital Media Studies
Become a responsible, dynamic communicator in today’s digital age.
-
Data Science
Solve real-world challenges with math, computer science, and data.
-
Communication Studies
Major in communications and make your message matter.
Sources
1U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm/ (viewed Oct. 24, 2025).
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.