Graphic Design
What is graphic design?
Graphic design shapes how we communicate in today’s visually driven world — from crafting user experiences and designing digital products to building compelling brands and visual identities. As a graphic design major at Virginia Tech, you’ll develop the creative and technical skills to craft powerful messages using imagery, typography, and design systems. The curriculum emphasizes conceptual thinking, problem-solving, and the power of visuals to communicate ideas and meaning across platforms. You’ll build a strong foundation in design fundamentals and gain practical experience through internships, collaborative studio work, and real-world client projects that will prepare you to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, ever-evolving creative industry.
Why study graphic design at Virginia Tech?
- Complete a required internship in your junior or senior year to gain real-world experience working in the industry. Some students fulfill this requirement through FourDesign, the program’s faculty-led, student-run design agency.
- Work with real clients during DesignUp, an annual, day-long design-a-thon where you’ll team up with professionals to create visuals and marketing materials for local nonprofits.
- Explore advanced design topics through rotating upper-level courses such as human-centered design, motion graphics, AI design, publishing as creative practice, and web design.
- Build a competitive portfolio throughout your time in the program and engage in career preparation experiences, including interview coaching, job application support, and exploring the possibilities of a graphic design career.
- Participate in the School of Visual Arts’ Design European Immersion program, where you’ll explore art and design through the lens of Europe, specifically Italy and Switzerland, learning about historic typography, viewing ancient and modern art, and gaining hands-on experience in applying visual techniques.
- Learn in the School of Visual Arts' 15-credit foundations studio along with other first-year students and get 24/7 access to studio spaces.
- Receive priority access to the makerspaces and tools in the Creativity and Innovation District like the wood shop, metal shop, paint room, and laser room.
What courses will I take?
To learn more about the courses you’ll take as a graphic major, review the Program Curriculum and course descriptions in the university catalog. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to personalize your degree through major courses, electives, and Pathways courses.
Meet an alum
Kensley Bullins '22
Kensley Bullins ’22 is a visual design analyst at Accenture Federal Digital Studio, where she works on UX/UI projects, branding, campaigns, and print design. As a student, she gained career experience working as a branding and marketing staff member for Virginia Tech’s Animal Assisted Therapy program, and also served as a member of the executive team for DesignUp, the all-day, philanthropic design-a-thon.
What can I do with a degree in graphic design?
- Branding and logo designer
- Creative director
- Experience designer
- Graphic designer
- Marketing specialist
- Packaging designer
- Print designer
- Product designer
- UI/UX designer
- Visual designer
- Web designer
What graduate programs could I pursue?
- Advertising
- Art direction
- Communication design
- Design management
- Digital media
- Digital product design
- Emerging media
- Graphic design
- Information architecture
- Interaction design
- Human-computer interaction
- Marketing
- User experience design
