Graphic Design

Start your standout story.

Graphic Design

Whether you have pen or computer mouse in hand, your handiwork reflects your creativity, values and response to God’s world. Northwestern’s graphic design major will teach you the principles of print and web design, helping you become an expert in industry-leading design programs. You’ll also have opportunities to practice your trade through internships and freelance marketing projects in collaboration with campus departments.

Major requirements

Graphic Design
Why NWC?

Why NWC?

As a graphic design major, you’ll gain a strong foundation in traditional fine arts media, which will inform your digital creations in Adobe Creative Suite. Our faculty of professional artists will mentor you by providing constructive, encouraging feedback—plus you’ll observe their own practice and create alongside them in the studio.

Major course offerings include layout and design, writing and design for the web, and video production. If you hope to pursue work with a marketing and communications firm—or to start a freelance business—minors in arts administration, entrepreneurship or public relations would be a boost to your business savvy. An art minor and K-12 art education endorsement are also available.

CONTACT
Phil Scorza
Phil Scorza
Department Chair

Outcomes

The graphic design field involves a wide variety of positions, including work in advertising, public relations, marketing, print media, website creation, branding and more. Nearly 24,000 job openings are projected each year, with the median annual wage for designers averaging $50,710, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Join our standout alumni in roles such as:

Architectural draftsman
Wagner Building & Supply, Wagner, SD
Graphic designer
Northwest Iowa Review, Sheldon, IA
K-5 art teacher
Waukee Community Schools, Waukee, IA
Senior designer
BrandJuice, Vancouver, WA

Experience

Where you'll create

Where you'll create

The Korver Visual Arts Center is fully equipped to help you experiment with new mediums, expand your portfolio, and present your work in a professional gallery setting. You’ll have access to studios, including:

  • Ceramics room with 17 wheels and 4 kilns
  • Drawing studio with 17 drafting tables
  • Mac lab with 21 computers set up with Adobe Suite
  • Painting studio for oil, acrylic and watercolors
  • Darkroom for processing film photography
  • Sculpture lab with professional-grade power tools
  • Printmaking studio with 4 presses 

Upcoming exhibits

Upcoming exhibits

Te Paske Gallery in the Korver Visual Arts Center hosts four or more art showings each year, featuring the work of both professional and student artists.

Upcoming Exhibits

Creative success

Creative success

Our students present design proposals to actual clients and lend their skills to local organizations and nonprofits. Past clients have included Vi Bella Jewelry, RISE Ministries for teens, Bon Croix Vineyards, and Love INC, a resource ministry for families in need.

Compass Center for Career & Calling

Compass Center for Career & Calling

The Compass Center for Career & Calling will connect you with internship experiences with leading graphic design firms, marketing agencies, and newspapers. Past internship placements have included Lawrence and Schiller in Sioux Falls and TriNorth Communications in London.

Study abroad

Study abroad

Study abroad opportunities will introduce you to another country’s art and culture. Recent students have studied art, history and philosophy at the University of Oxford, taken courses in fashion in Italy, and analyzed theatre productions on London’s West End.

Where you'll create

The Korver Visual Arts Center is fully equipped to help you experiment with new mediums, expand your portfolio, and present your work in a professional gallery setting. You’ll have access to studios, including:

  • Ceramics room with 17 wheels and 4 kilns
  • Drawing studio with 17 drafting tables
  • Mac lab with 21 computers set up with Adobe Suite
  • Painting studio for oil, acrylic and watercolors
  • Darkroom for processing film photography
  • Sculpture lab with professional-grade power tools
  • Printmaking studio with 4 presses 

Upcoming exhibits

Te Paske Gallery in the Korver Visual Arts Center hosts four or more art showings each year, featuring the work of both professional and student artists.

Upcoming Exhibits

Creative success

Our students present design proposals to actual clients and lend their skills to local organizations and nonprofits. Past clients have included Vi Bella Jewelry, RISE Ministries for teens, Bon Croix Vineyards, and Love INC, a resource ministry for families in need.

Compass Center for Career & Calling

The Compass Center for Career & Calling will connect you with internship experiences with leading graphic design firms, marketing agencies, and newspapers. Past internship placements have included Lawrence and Schiller in Sioux Falls and TriNorth Communications in London.

Study abroad

Study abroad opportunities will introduce you to another country’s art and culture. Recent students have studied art, history and philosophy at the University of Oxford, taken courses in fashion in Italy, and analyzed theatre productions on London’s West End.

  • Faculty

    Brilliant scholars. Committed Christians. Invested in you. That’s Northwestern’s faculty.

  •  Flynn Meghan Flynn Assistant Professor of Art
  •  Scorza Phil Scorza Professor of Art and Design; Department Chair