At a Glance

As a graphic design major at Carthage, you’ll learn how to present and create amazing visual content. 

Major

  • Graphic Design

Minors

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Earn your Graphic Design degree at Carthage

Graphic design majors at Carthage are equipped with the versatility to work in a wide range of occupations. Students gain a thorough understanding of the design principles underlying everything from web design to photography and employ them in projects using industry-standard software. Upper-level courses drill deeper into their chosen specialties.

  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/107/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/38,103,201,266/396_30615_HelenMarchant24.rev.1638389814.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/107/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/38,103,201,266/396_30615_HelenMarchant24.rev.1638389814.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/107/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/38,103,201,266/396_30615_HelenMarchant24.rev.1638389814.jpg" alt="" width="183" height="183" data-max-w="163" data-max-h="163" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I have found that the help from upperclassmen in the Communication and Digital Media Department has been strong, and I have met professors in that department who will help me with any challenges I may go through.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/518-helen-marchant">Helen Marchant</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/107/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,793,2400,3193/36413_4890_163701665847155.rev.1668996067.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/107/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,793,2400,3193/36413_4890_163701665847155.rev.1668996067.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/107/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,793,2400,3193/36413_4890_163701665847155.rev.1668996067.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/107/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,793,2400,3193/36413_4890_163701665847155.rev.1668996067.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/107/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,793,2400,3193/36413_4890_163701665847155.rev.1668996067.JPG 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/107/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,793,2400,3193/36413_4890_163701665847155.rev.1668996067.JPG" alt="Jana Ahlstrand" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/107/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,793,2400,3193/36413_4890_163701665847155.rev.1668996067.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/107/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,793,2400,3193/36413_4890_163701665847155.rev.1668996067.JPG 3x" data-max-w="2400" data-max-h="2400" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I chose Carthage because I wanted to be part of a community that would make it easy for me to connect and network with people.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2179-jana-ahlstrand">Jana Ahlstrand</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>

A photo from the 2022 Art Walk, in which Carthage students who major in graphic design, display t... original work

The senior seminar culminates in a personal design exhibition, giving you the chance to display a portfolio of your best work. This final portfolio can be tailored to your professional interests.

 

Graphic Design degree career Opportunities

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 3 percent growth in jobs for graphic designers through 2031, in part due to the need for professionals who can “create visually appealing and effective layouts of websites and social media sites.”

Many Carthage alumni are independent graphic designers, while others hold positions with employers such as:

  • GFX International
  • Northern Ground (digital agency)
  • ABC 7 Chicago
  • The Onion
  • Kohler
  • Jockey International
  • Winnetka (Illinois) Park District
  • Good Foods Group
  • Pivot Design

More about Graphic Design Careers

 

Opportunities for Graphic Design Majors

Students pursuing a graphic design degree showcasing their work in the 2018 Senior Show. Many graphic design majors get involved in DRAFT, a campus organization for those interested in graphic design. Faculty arrange tours of design studios in the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor multiple times each year, and seniors often participate in the American Institute of Graphic Arts’ statewide portfolio review. Prof. Huaracha regularly leads J-Term study tours to photograph nature in locations like Arizona and Costa Rica.

More Student Opportunities