Graphic Design at MSU

At Montana State University we offer a professional BFA degree in Graphic Design. This traditional four-year undergraduate program is nationally accredited by NASAD. The emphasis is upon the development of professional design skills for employment within the creative industries. Over the past 30 years the BFA Graphic Design program at MSU has offered job placement for its graduates at the nation’s top advertising agencies, design firms and in-house departments.

  

BFA Degree in Four Years

During the freshman year Graphic Design students begin with several foundations courses along with art history and core classes. Then in the sophomore year students are introduced to Graphic Design and Adobe CC basics. To maintain excellence each sophomore is required to purchase and use a MacBook Pro laptop in their Graphic Design courses. Sophomore students must pass a portfolio review at the end of the second year to advance into upper-division Graphic Design courses. During the third year students select from several Graphic Design electives to explore the scope of the profession. Both juniors and seniors may participate in professional internship opportunities at local, regional and national businesses. Finally the fourth year students develop a self-authored senior research project and create a capstone portfolio along with learning professional job-finding skills.

  

Careers in Graphic Design

With a BFA degree in Graphic Design from MSU graduates have the opportunity to work in advertising, publishing, marketing, public relations, user interaction and a wide range of creative based industries. Here is a list of some of the jobs related to this exciting profession: 

  • Advertising
  • Animation
  • Apparel Design
  • Art Director
  • Branding
  • Creative Direction
  • Gaming Graphics
  • Industrial Design
  • Illustration
  • Letterpress
  • Logo Design
  • Media Coordination
  • Multi Media Design
  • Marketing
  • Package Design
  • Photography
  • Preproduction Coordination
  • Production Design
  • Screenprinting
  • User Interaction
  • User Experience
  • Video Production
  • Web design

 

Click here to view and print the BFA Graphic Design Curriculum (2021-22).

Click here to view and print the BFA Graphic Design Curriculum (2020 and before).

 

Laptop Requirements

 

To ensure student success the graphic design program at Montana State University is now requiring that students in the graphic design BFA option must purchase a Macbook Pro laptop prior their sophomore level courses. Students will specifically need these laptops for their first day in GDSN 223 Design Principles in fall semester. Click here to view the laptop requirement PDF that outlines specifics for purchasing. 

 

 Student Achievements

 

MSU student, John Vincent, scoops top prize at regional ADDY awards for guerrilla advertising class project

Jessie Madeson, Graphic Design Senior, shines at startup challenge in Missoula

Rosemary Middlebrook, Audrey Moss, and Collin Shull's design for Allora, wins an Award of Excellence—published in the Communication Arts Typography Annual 2019.

Celebrating our Senior GDSN Class of 2021 

 

GDSN Senior Website

 The School of Art is pleased to present senior websites that document the work of our graduating students in Graphic Design. Please click on the "Best Shot" Spotlight Image to find out more about the class and their work. 

 

 Current Graphic Design Student Work

 

Three logos shown mocked up on business cards. Logos are for Cateye Cafe, BYEP, and The Western Cafe. Detail shot of glass bottles for Kombucha packaging project. A student works on a print composition in the letterpress class.Graphic Design seniors presenting their portfolios to members of the local design communityInfographic student project - Christeen Janning A poster mock up—the poster describes the hike for Baldy Peak Summit Students assemble the word Ardent, made from cardboard outside of Haynes Hall. SPINDEGO - App design - Student projectKombucha student packaging project displayed. Poster component shown for a student's capstone project titled Ahh, Italia...Graphic Design Senior Trip - Fall 2017BARK magazine redesign - Student ProjectFrom and back side images of a bi-fold brochure for shrines and temples of Nikko. Students participating in our summer digital photo course that take place onsite in Teton National Park. A vinyl record with record interior design and vinyl cover sleeve shown. Interchange - Student ProjectStudents participating in our summer digital photo course that take place onsite in Teton National Park. Three letterpress artist book from MSU Graphic Design Students Work Hard - Student projectFour pages of a magazine layout displayed for an article on Climate Change. A group of students in Seattle for the Graphic Design Senior trip.

Click on an image to view as a slideshow.

 

 Graphic Design Faculty 

 

Jeffrey Conger Assistant Professor Ashley Fuchs Minjee Jeon

Jeffrey Conger

Professor

Ashley Fuchs

Assistant Professor

Minjee Jeon

Assistant Professor
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