Graphic design is arguably the oldest form of written communication, appearing first on cave walls long before the alphabet was invented. Since then, graphic designers have focused on communicating ideas and information through the visual representation of the written word, often in combination with images. As a discipline, graphic design uses structure, form, and function to convey ideas powerfully to a mass audience. In order to interpret and produce meaning, designers draw on a breadth of knowledge and a sophisticated understanding of the world.

The graphic design program at Northeastern partakes of a liberal arts curriculum to help you develop the broad and deep understanding you will need as a professional graphic artist. Through study of the history of art and graphic design, photography and film, drawing, and interactive design, you will learn to assimilate many facets of experience and combine visual and verbal components to express content meaningfully. Design projects bridge a variety of media, technologies, and ideologies to provide a broad understanding of the discipline.

In the past decade, graphic design has been revolutionized by the technology of the computer. Though Northeastern maintains sophisticated computer facilities, we treat technology as a means, not an end. You will become proficient in the skills necessary to produce your work digitally, but our program remains rooted in the underlying principles of perception and communication.

You can engage in meaningful co-op experiences in settings like graphic design firms, photography labs, museums, libraries, and archives. In addition, we encourage you to take advantage of Boston’s remarkably rich resources of museums, galleries, libraries, and studios, both as places to study and as potential employers. In this major as for few others, the city is truly our classroom and our destination.