Graphic Design Degrees in Florida (F)
With everything from printed brochures to online social media sites requiring slick and engaging graphics, it’s no wonder that there are so many excellent graphic design degrees in Florida for today’s students. From two-year programs to fine arts master’s degree programs, students can choose their level of education and expertise and pick the program that helps them further their long-term career goals in the best way possible. Each program is fully accredited and offers students the opportunity to gain insight not only into graphic design itself, but also into the psychology of a great design that pulls people in, engages their minds, and guides them toward a company’s desired response. It’s combination of skill and behavioral analysis that certain earns the “fine arts” distinction that many students are seeking in today’s economy.
Flagler College
Department of Art and Design
Flagler College places an exceeding amount of emphasis on real-world experience during the entirety of their bachelor’s program in graphic design. The school’s faculty is mostly doctoral, but all of them currently work in graphic design firms throughout south Florida when they’re not instructing students in the classroom. In addition, Flagler College’s Department of Art and Design requires all of its graphic design students to seek an internship off-campus with an established design firm that will help them hone their craft. This is considered an absolutely essential avenue of instruction that gives students necessary context for their skills. Classroom experiences focus on drawing by hand, mastering computer graphic design programs, and the differences in designing graphics for small-format print, large-format print, and numerous online arenas that require different styles, image sizes, image formats, and more.
B.A. in Graphic Design
Students will first take a number of general education courses that provide the liberal arts foundation of all Flagler College experiences. Then, they’ll move into graphic design by first going through a number of traditional drawing classes. Higher-level courses will translate those skills into digital design through programs like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop. Graphic designers will create, during their entire time at the college, a portfolio of print and electric designs that will be absolutely essential when landing the required internship and seeking employment after graduation. Elective coursework in this field can include technology courses, marketing and social media studies, and a variety of other related fields that add depth and richness to the process of designing great graphics in a large number of typical settings.
Contact
Flagler College
Department of Art and Design
74 King St.
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Phone: (800) 304-4208
Email: admissions@flagler.edu
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Division of Graphic Communication
Florida A&M’s Division of Graphic Design is focused on two key pursuits within this pretty broad profession. The first is known as “graphic communication,” and it deals with the numerous ways that professionals can use graphics to communicate in business and professional settings. The second degree program offered at the university is its more traditional bachelor’s program in graphic design. Students in this program learn how to create modern graphics for print and digital materials, and they learn how to create a strong visual approach to websites and social media networks. Both programs share a core of courses that teach basic hand and graphic drawing, computer application proficiencies, and other essential skills. A liberal arts foundation gives students the context they need to succeed in a large number of post-graduation settings.
Bachelor of Science in Graphic Communication
Graphic communication is a field that has become absolutely essential in an era of telecommuting, boardroom meetings driven by PowerPoint scenarios, and investor slideshows that turn earnings announcements or new initiatives in an alluring presentation of slick graphics. This is what the graphic communication degree program at Florida A&M focuses on. Students who enroll in this unique series of courses will learn how graphics can actually enhance communication in business and personal settings, largely by delivering messages along with illustration and a fair amount of context. The program also includes coursework in basic Adobe and Apple application proficiency, giving students the resources they need to design quickly, efficiently, and professionally on numerous platforms.
Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design
The traditional B.S. in Graphic Design program at Florida A&M is a popular program for students who want a versatile set of skills for virtually any field. Unlike graphic communication students, those who choose this degree will learn about print design and digital design alike. Students will learn the differences between designing for smaller items, like brochures and flyers, and bigger formats like billboards, posters, and advertisements. Digital design will focus on the unique needs of business and personal websites, social media services, online banner ads, and more. Students will learn the fundamentals of numerous design applications and platforms so that they can work almost anywhere and hit the ground running.
Contact
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Division of Graphic Communication
510 Orr Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32307
Phone: (850) 599-3000
Website
Florida Atlantic University
Department of Visual Arts and Art History
At Florida Atlantic University, students who wish to pursue a degree in graphic design will also have to take courses in more traditional forms of art. It’s one of the major reasons that the school only awards fine arts degrees either at the undergraduate or graduate level. Though this is considered particularly challenging, especially for students who only have experience in using computer applications to create a visual experience, it has the end result of producing students who are far more versatile in their set of skills and therefore able to succeed in a far wider array of professional environments. It is for this reason that FAU’s programs are highly ranked and are typically among the most respected programs by employers who hire Florida’s graphic design graduates.
B.F.A. in Graphic Design
In order to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design at Florida Atlantic University, students will need to first start with the institution’s general education core that focuses on key aspects of a liberal arts education. From there, they’ll proceed to basic coursework in graphic design that teaches the fundamentals of the Adobe Creative Suite applications, the Microsoft and Apple operating systems, and other key applications that are essential to their craft. Alongside digital design courses, students will take more traditional art classes that focus on painting, drawing, and sculpture work. They’ll learn to create graphics for both digital and print mediums and they’ll learn how old-school art intersects with modern digital design in a variety of ways. Students are encouraged, but not required, to seek an internship with a nearby graphic design agency in order to gain hands-on experience.
M.F.A. in Visual Art: Graphic Design & Media
Though the BFA program at Florida Atlantic University requires students to take courses in everything from digital design to painting and sculpting, the MFA in Visual Art is a slightly different beast. This program focuses almost entirely on graphic design using electronic tools and computer applications. Alongside those courses, students will take coursework that focuses on the history of art and design as well as the development of modern design principles and frameworks. At the conclusion of the program, students awarded the MFA from Florida Atlantic will have a solid understanding of how modern design is affected by developments made over the past several centuries, as well as a clear understanding of where the profession is headed and how best to adapt to those changes.
Contact
Florida Atlantic University
Department of Visual Arts and Art History
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: (561) 297-3000
Email: admissions@fau.edu
Website
Florida Gateway College
Center for Excellence in Teaching, Design and Business
Florida Gateway College is one of the leading, career-oriented schools in the Sunshine State. It is for this reason that the school offers both highly affordable tuition and a large number of online degrees and courses. Though the school is career-oriented and highly convenient, it should be noted that the Center of Excellence in Teaching, Design and Business offers a very rigorous program that prepares students for a long-term career in the field immediately after graduation. Many courses are highly practical in nature, rather than theoretical, and students are guaranteed to get a large amount of hands-on experience in just two years of study. This excellent amount of real experience is why so many employers value the FGC two-year program just as highly as most of Florida’s bachelor’s degrees in the same field.
Associate of Science in Graphic Design
The Associate of Science program in graphic design is actually the more extensive of the school’s programs, with a quicker certificate program being offered to those who would prefer less liberal arts coursework mixed in with their graphic design courses. The A.S. degree gives students a solid background in the history of art and design, the present use of Adobe, Apple, and other software applications in creating exciting and engaging visual experiences, and the liberal arts credits needed to potentially transfer this two-year degree into a four-year program in the graphic arts. Students will learn how to design to various media, from print to digital and desktop to mobile, and they’ll work alongside students in collaborative environments that simulate real-world graphic design teams. As a result, they’ll be properly prepared for a collaborative, team-oriented workplace that is the modern norm in design firms and larger corporations with in-house design staff.
Contact
Florida Gateway College
Center for Excellence in Teaching, Design and Business
149 SE College Place
Lake City, FL 32025
Phone: (386) 752-1822
Website
Florida Southern College
School of Arts and Sciences
Florida Southern’s School of Arts and Sciences earns high marks from both students and those who manage local agencies, and that’s because the school strongly encourages internships and simulates real-world work settings in most of its on-campus classes. Students who opt to study graphic design at the school will engage in group environments and be expected to present themselves as professionals from day one of their program. It’s a unique responsibility and it helps to give students the proper background and context to succeed almost immediately after they land their first job in the field. With a doctoral faculty and classes that are innovative in terms of both structure and content, it’s safe to say the School of Arts and Sciences provides a unique degree that’s highly adaptable to a massive amount of design and visual arts positions.
B.A. in Graphic Design
All students who pursue the school’s B.A. in Graphic Design will be expected to create a strong, professional portfolio of their work that will be reviewed prior to their approval for graduation with the degree. With that in mind, virtually all major-specific courses focus on the practical skills needed by today’s designs with both in-house design departments and private agencies. They’ll work with Adobe tools and other creative design suites, they’ll learn Apple and Microsoft programs, and they’ll create graphics that are appropriate for both print and digital media types. Students are strongly encouraged during the program to complete an internship, which can help them expand their graduation portfolio even further. Elective coursework is strongly encouraged in other departments, including art history, art education, marketing, and numerous other related fields.
Contact
Florida Southern College
School of Arts and Sciences
111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr.
Lakeland, FL 33801
Phone: (863) 680-4743
Email: jrice@flsouthern.edu
Website
Florida State University
College of Visual Arts, Theatre and Dance
Florida State is considered one of America’s “Public Ivies,” and serves as the flagship state institution for residents of Florida. Its reputation is so good, even in graphic design, because of the all-doctoral faculty, portfolio requirements, internship requirements, and managed honor society of those who excel in dance, theater, and artistic pursuits. The College of Visual Arts, Theatre and Dance maintains a focus on practical skills that will serve students well after graduation, and administers both graduate and undergraduate programs for maximum marketability after graduation. Students can opt for the “fine arts” designation on their degree, which will combine their graphic design studies with more practical and historical artistic pursuits and give them a well-rounded focus after graduation.
B.A. / B.F.A. in Design (Concentration in Print Design)
Two undergraduate tracks are offered to design students at FSU. The first of these, and perhaps the most popular, is the school’s Bachelor of Arts in Design. The program focuses on design in all areas, from graphic and print to more physical design types. Students will learn the differences between various occupations, mediums, and more, and they’ll create a pre-graduation portfolio that exhibits their best work and will serve as a valuable resource during job applications. Students in this track can take elective coursework throughout the arts, advertising, marketing, and business, or they can opt for fine arts classes offered through the B.F.A. program.
The B.F.A. program requires students to make more arts-centric electives, including things like drawing and painting. They’ll still focus heavily on design, with the same core that emphasizes computer applications the unique impacts of different media on the design process. Students in this track can choose a concentration in print design, which will give them the tools and resources they need to tailor graphics to things like brochures, posters, flyers, billboards, post cards, and more. Thanks to enforced internship and portfolio requirements, graduates will have real-world tools and experiences essential to their first job.
M.F.A. in Art with Concentration in Design or Electronic Media
The Master’s of Fine Arts degree at FSU switches out the print concentration for electronic media and digital resources. As such, students who enroll in this graduate-level program will learn how to best create engaging graphics for business and personal websites, social media profiles, digital advertisements, and more. As part of the fine arts core, students who choose this graduate degree will also be required to take a few courses that teach art history and the history of digital graphic design in the modern business environment. All graduate students will create or build on a portfolio of prior work, giving them an added edge in the job market. Graduate design internships and professor assistantships are offered to those students willing to undertake them, and both pursuits offer excellent, hands-on experience that’s hard to attain elsewhere.
Contact
Florida State University
College of Visual Arts, Theatre and Dance
223 FAB, FSU
P.O.Box 3061150
Tallahassee, FL 30306-1150
Phone: (850) 644-8252
Email: sshoward@admin.fsu.edu
Website
Florida Technical College
Department of Information Technology
The programs at Florida Technical College are designed to keep education affordable for students who need a strong set of skills and a minimal student debt load. To that end, the institution’s graphic design program can be completed in two years. Faculty has earned either their master’s or doctoral degree and is typically employed with an existing graphic design firm while they give students the skills they need to master the profession. That means students get valuable insight into what it means to be a modern graphic design and how to succeed in this highly competitive field. Students will focus particularly on the intersection of website usability and engaging graphic design, giving them the tools they need to become part of a web design firm or in-house design team.
Associate’s Degree in Website and Graphic Design
The Associate’s Degree in Website and Graphic Design focuses almost exclusively on how designers should hone their craft for business and personal websites. Those who enroll at Florida Technical will learn about the structure of websites, the nature of color choices and graphic production, and how graphics can be produced in the smallest file size possible for usability across desktop and mobile platforms. Internships are encouraged but not required; portfolios are also strongly encouraged of all students who take part in the program. Thanks to its unique slate of graphic design and liberal arts courses, the final degree earned by students can be transferred into virtually any four-year program in the state if graduates wish to further enhance their understanding of the profession.
Contact
Florida Technical College
Department of Information Technology
4715 S. Florida Avenue Suite 4
Lakeland, Florida 33813
Phone: (888) 904-1781
Website
Full Sail University
Design School
Full Sail University has long marketed itself as one of the best art and design schools in both south Florida and the southeastern part of the United States. That marketing material is driven by facts: Full Sail ranks highly in US News and World Report, Forbes magazine, and the Princeton Review. Graduates from the Design School enjoy high job placement rates, excellent upward mobility and career advancement, and a strong degree reputation that can help them land entry-level positions. The Design School also manages on-campus student organizations and professional honor societies, giving students an additional avenue for boosting their campus accomplishments and post-graduation credentials.
A.S. in Graphic Design
The school’s quickest program is its A.S. in graphic design, which combines a light load of liberal arts courses with practical instruction print and digital media considerations. Students will build a portfolio as they proceed through the program, and they’ll be taught by faculty with real-world experience in design. All students will be encouraged to find an internship close to campus, which will help them understand the nature of the profession and their role in it. Many classes are structured in a group format, teaching the crucial collaboration skills required in today’s largest firms.
B.S. in Graphic Design
Those who opt for the four-year graphic design program at Full Sail will receive all the benefits of the two-year degree, but they’ll go more in-depth during the next two years. Students in this program will take a more extensive liberal arts course load, and they’ll be required to complete an off-campus internship. Group-oriented courses are still the norm in this program, with students being broken into teams that come up with a common solution to a unique problem. With added course availability, bachelor’s degree students can choose graphic design electives and an arts-related minor that makes them far more versatile in the workplace after graduation.
M.F.A. in Media Design
The most advanced degree at Full Sail is the M.F.A. in media design. In this degree program, students move beyond mere graphic design and instead learn how to create cohesive media designs in all formats. Outcomes of this program include a solid understanding of the interplay between text and graphics, and how graphics can help drive home a company’s message. Students will learn the role of graphics in electronic presentations and corporate promotions, and they’ll learn how to retool their campaigns for print, digital, and video mediums. Internships are encouraged, as is the creation of a robust portfolio that will become essential after graduation.
Contact
Full Sail University
Design School
3300 University Boulevard
Winter Park, FL 32792
Phone: (800) 226-7625
Website
The world today has a strong need for skilled graphic designers who know how to hone their craft and cater to specific groups of people. It’s a unique form of art that blends colors and logos, marketing and advertising, electronic devices and traditional print media. Thanks to the exciting and engaging graphic design degrees in Florida at all levels, there has never been an easier way to get started with this field at virtually any level.
Graphic Design Degrees in Florida (G-R)
Graphic Design Degrees in Florida (S-Z)
