GRAPHIC DESIGN
BACHELOR OF ARTS 繚 BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS 繚 MINOR
Flexible degree options rooted in art and creativity that prepare you to launch your career in graphic design
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What is graphic design?
Graphic design encompasses the artistic visual side of communication it's creative problem-solving
Its the practice of giving form to information by arranging visual elements such as imagery, typography, symbols, and colors, to communicate a message to an audience. Graphic Design is everywhere; websites, interactive experience design, social media, movies, posters, brochures, books, magazines, signage, advertising in print and in motion, packaging design, business cards, invitations, menus, and so much more.
Will I make money as a graphic designer?
Career paths for graphic designers offer a wide array of opportunities for career advancement and financial growth
Salaries vary depending on skill set, experience, and geographic location; however, the median annual salary hovers around $64,500*. Senior-level and advanced positions, such as Senior Designer ($83,202 Median**), Art Director, and Creative Director, are compensated more generously. Art Director median salary, by comparison, hovers around $142,337** nationally, based on experience, as of August 2023.
*according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2022 / **salary.com 2023
What jobs are available in graphic design?
Print Designer
Web Designer
App Designer
Logo Designer
Branding Designer
Packaging Designer
Advertising Designer
Media Designer
Environmental Designer
User Interface Designer
Social Media Designer
Illustrator
Motion Graphics Artist
Animator
Multimedia Artist
UX Designer
Production Artist
Experience Designer
Do I need to learn programming or coding to be a graphic designer?
No, you do not need to know how to program or code, but you need to understand interactivity, user experience, and how form assists function. You will get hands-on experience with basic coding in our program. You will also use current prototyping software to show the look, feel and function of a site, without coding.
Graphic Design encompasses the artistic visual side of communication it's creative problem-solving, whereas industries like Computer Science and Technology are focused on computation, automation, information, and technical solutions.
ALUMNI IN THE FIELD
Graphic Design Alumni find employment and success nation-wide. Here are some examples
of where our students begin their post-graduate careers, and where they continue to
grow.
Central Illinois
Learning Resources - Mundelein Taylor Studio, Inc - Rantoul Kankakee Daily Journal Kozol Bros. Milikin University University of Illinois 91勛圖厙 Tarble Arts Center Carle Foundation Hospital Sarah Bush Lincoln Healthcare System Horizon Hobby Urbana Park District Trigard Memorials Mid America Motorworks UPS Slumberkins Vineyard Church CrossFit Kankakee Daily Journal Berkots Super Foods Premier Print Group Rural King
Effingham
Patterson Technologies Effingham Imagine This Marketing Heartland Dental Midland States Bank
Chicagoland
Pivot Design LLT Group Lia Sophia First Centennial Mortgage Munchs Supply LLC Top of Mind Networks Black Knight Luci Creative Kozol Bros, Inc. Sir Speedy Trekk Doyle Signs LiveNation EPAM Systems Focused Labs
New York
Powerspike
Dallas
Creative Circle May Group USA
St Louis Area
2e HLK Fishawack Health World Wide Technology Application Services Asynchrony Labs Integrity Moosylvania Habanero B.A.M. Ink Printing
National Corporations
National Geographic McDonalds Crayola
The global graphic design industry is ranked #9 among all business activities*
Also, people can remember 65% of visual information 3 days later, and only 10% of written content.*
80% of digital marketers use graphic design in social media marketing.*
92.6% of people say the visual dimension is the number one influencing factor affecting purchasing decisions.*
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DECLARE YOUR MAJOR
BA in Graphic Design
Consult undergraduate catalog for academic regulations, requirements and degree programs.
Learn MoreBFA in Graphic Design
Consult undergraduate catalog for academic regulations, requirements and degree programs.
Learn MoreMinor in Graphic Design
Consult undergraduate catalog for academic regulations, requirements and degree programs.
Learn MoreTransfer friendly
If you are a transfer student interested in Graphic Design and would like assistance in any way, please email Dave Richardson, Professor in Graphic Design, at drichardson@eiu.edu, or Samantha Tableriou, Assistant Professor, at stableriou@eiu.edu. We are happy to respond to any questions you have, and we look forward to having you in the program.
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Professional faculty
SAMANTHA TABLERIOU
Samantha Tableriou is an award-winning graphic designer based in central Illinois. She is versed in environmental graphic design, signage planning, creative direction, project management, and branding. Having spent 15 years in various roles at a design studio, Sam is invested in preparing student designers to carry the practice into the future with passion, confidence, innovation, and authenticity.
In addition to teaching, Sam continues to create graphics for exhibitions and experiences across the country. In a world of digital abundance, she is passionate about working with multidisciplinary teams to create tactile, environmental, in-person experiences in which families, friends, individuals, and colleagues can learn, be moved, connect, and immerse in astonishing, unforgettable stories.
Her work can be seen across the country in museums, nature and visitor centers, public institutions, attractions, and more. Notable recent projects include Crayola IDEAworks: the Creativity Exhibition, Victoria the T.Rex, and National Geographics Beyond King Tut: the Immersive Experience. Visit to learn more.
DAVE RICHARDSON
A designer and educator, film-maker and artist, Dave Richardson focuses on graphic design and motion/interactive media. His personal creative work centers on original narratives realized in motion/film space, and his short film-poems have been curated into national and international film festivals.
Sinkhole, an original film-poem about his fathers descent into Alzheimers, was curated into the Newlyn International Film Festival 2021 in the U.K., and awarded Co-Best Poetry Film; as well as into the 9th International Video Poetry Festival, Athens, Greece.
Cathedral, an original film-poem, was juried into REELpoetry/Houston TX, an international poetry film festival in 2020.
Loves River of Errors was accepted into several festivals, including a screening at the Film and Video Poetry Symposium 2018, Los Angeles, California.
Richardson's site is
His films can be seen viewed at
Everything from the inspirational faculty to the refreshing, creative space and tools of Doudna Fine Arts Center has allowed me to start and progress my career in graphic design.
Adam Limanowski
Senior Experience Designer EPAM
BFA Graphic Design 13
"Now I do digital marketing and video production full time. ElU and the graphic design program were so good to me. And because of it, I always say that I want to teach marketing at a small college a couple days out the week once I retire. People sleep on smaller/state schools but ElU was a 10/10."
Jalyssa Woodall
Marketing Consulant
BFA Graphic Design '15
"The support you find among your peers and instructors is unmatched. I learned a lot in the classroom as well as independently and in the process, I had so much fun. Truly an exceptional place to begin your career in a field youre passionate about."
Olivia Jakubowski
Graphic Art Coordinator
Kozol Bros.
BFA Graphic Design '18
"The education and hands-on experience that I received through EIUs graphic design program has been invaluable to my professional career. I was encouraged to explore new areas of study in addition to being provided with opportunities to get involved with clubs and campus organizations. I owe my current accomplishments to the collective efforts of the professors, staff, and my fellow peers at EIU."
Grace O'Brien
Freelance Designer
BFA Graphic Design '20
"The graphic design program at EIU prepared me for my career by giving me a wide range of design challenges. Most importantly, the classes encouraged my curiosity and developed my creative problem-solving abilities. These are important tools I will carry with me for life and my most cherished takeaways from my experience."
Caleb Cunningham
Graphic Designer
Imagine This! Marketing Group
BFA Graphic Design '23
BLUEROOM Magazine RSO
Visit , our student-operated and produced publication and student organization at EIU Blue Room provides an exclusive experience to anyone who joins by giving a hands-on approach to real-life situations and problems seen in the field. Students have the ability to craft and participate in jobs needed such as designers, photographers, editors, journalists, and writers.
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Rinc籀n Latino Lounge in Coleman Hall, EIU, designed by EIU graphic designers