Graphic Design & Strategy
The Graphic Design program is a great fit for students who have creative and artistic talents and the desire to use those gifts in a way that is marketable. Students learn how to use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign as they create a portfolio of projects like logos, magazine layouts, and illustrations.
Internships and partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits gives students real-world experience as they begin to assemble a portfolio that will help them stand out from the competition after graduation.
Master Vital Skills
Learn to use industry-standard software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to create digital designs and layouts. In addition, students in the program learn typography and color theory to create designs that are visually appealing, while they learn important problem-solving skills and develop solutions to problems.
Learn from the Best
OKWU’s communications faculty all have graduate degrees in their fields and bring years of real-life experience as artists, designers, and business owners. Many of our faculty keep their skills current as they continue to work with clients to create effective brands and web designs.
Innovative Curriculum
Our curriculum was revised in 2023 to stay up with current industry trends and development. This ensures that our students are receiving the very best instruction and are being prepared for success in the workforce after graduation.
Career Path
With over 200,000 jobs open across the United States, graphic design is a growing and secure field with an excellent long-term outlook. Some of the possible career options include:
- Graphic designer (general) – median salary $57,990
- Web Designer – median salary $77,200
- Advertising Designer – median salary $67,850
- Art Director – median salary $105,180
- Commercial Designer – median salary $75,910
Why Graphic Design & Strategy Matters
A degree in Graphic Design is a worthy investment. Students develop skills that are in high demand from employers across the country, as every business, ministry, and nonprofit needs to communicate visually. Students can develop their skills and knowledge that will help them stand out in a competitive job market.
An OKWU education will merge your talents and interest in graphic design with your Christian faith and demonstrate how your God-given abilities can be used for the benefit of others. Your work will challenge and engage you. Each student completes an internship in their field, which gives valuable job experience and can even lead to a job after graduation.
Taught by Industry Experts
The faculty of OKWU’s communication department brings years of experience in their field and continue to serve clients in design and development while they teach courses. This keeps their skills current and provides students with valuable connections that can help them place a job after graduation.
Featured Core Classes
Introduction to Graphic Design
Learn Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign as you complete design projects like logos, photographs, and magazine layouts over the course of the semester.
Motion Graphics
Building off of the already-developed graphic design skills, this course adds an exciting element: movement. Learn Adobe After Effects and similar programs to create animated logos, movie credits, moving photographs, and more.
Capstone and Portfolio
Every senior creates a capstone project, whether that’s a magazine, clothing line, short film, comic books, or anything else your imagination can come up with! Students also learn how to put together a professional portfolio and resume, apply for jobs, and do well in interviews.