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Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
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2026-2027

Graphic Design

School of the Arts

 
Program description

Graphic design is a creative and analytical process that integrates art and technology to communicate ideas and information. The goal of the Department of Graphic Design at VCU is to educate students to become innovators and leaders in three related areas of professional practice: print design, sequential design and interaction design.

Career opportunities

Graphic Designer, Web Designer/Developer, Art Director, Exhibit Designer, User Interface Designer

Change of major requirements

Completion of the Art Foundation Program is a prerequisite for entry into all fine art and design departments.

Students are required to submit their application and required portfolio here.


Typical application deadlines are November 1 (for spring applicants) and April 1 (for fall applicants).

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Brand Strategist
  • Communication Strategist
  • Digital Content Creator
  • Exhibit Designer
  • Graphic Designer
  • Marketing Communicator
  • Motion Graphics Designer
  • Packaging Design
  • Print Designer
  • User Interface Design
  • Visual Designer
  • Web Designer
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Art Director
  • Communications Director
  • Marketing Manager
  • Producer
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • Quantitative Foundations requirement only
Science required
  • Natural Sciences requirement only
Foreign language requirements
  • No
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.5+ cumulative GPA to declare
Transfer Maps

Contact information

Department name:
Department of Graphic Design
Building/room location:
Pollak Building, Room 332
Phone:
(804) 828-1709
Email:
gdes@vcu.edu
http://arts.vcu.edu/graphicdesign/
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
Major map compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
  • Attend one career event sponsored by Career Services.
  • Complete and activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
  • Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
  • Learn more about potential careers by using Forage in the Navigate 360 app.
  • Review your Career Works 4 year career planning tool and start working on your milestones.
  • Seek research opportunities by checking out the Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry webpage.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
  • Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
  • Connect with the Student Alumni Council to connect to VCU alumni.
  • Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
  • Take advantage of the portfolio building and writing workshops offered by Art Foundation; details are found in ARTF101 in Canvas.
  • Research VCUArts alumni for networking and mentorship opportunities.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
  • Schedule an appointment with your major advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
  • Attend Objects+Methods, SOtA, and University lectures.
  • Keep all your Graphic Design project work for end of the year Sophomore Portfolio Review.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
  • Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty and apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
  • Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
  • Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
  • Collaborate with students from other Arts disciplines on a project.
  • Seek out volunteer work/projects, with an emphasis on graphic design.   
  • Attend AIGA student group events.
  • Apply for Undergraduate research grant.
  • Always read listserv messages. Internship scholarship, part time work and other information is shared via listserv emails.
  • Consider Qatar student exchange
  • Apply for VCUarts Dean's International Study Grant.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
  • Build a professional resume and upload it to Handshake.
  • Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
  • Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
  • Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
  • Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
  • Meet with a coach at the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • Meet with your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
  • Prepare for or take an internship for credit (GPA 3.0 or higher).
  • Prepare for Junior Review. All work from your Junior year should be kept for consideration.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
  • Design a community-engaged research project.
  • Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities.
  • Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
  • Attend AIGA student group events.
  • Always read listserv messages. Internship scholarship, part time work and other information is shared via listserv emails.
  • Consider Qatar student exchange or apply for VCUarts Dean's International Study Grant.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor.
  • Update your ePortfolio.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services or the Writing Center.
  • Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. 
  • Seek out projects with an emphasis on work that will translate as graphic design  
  • Attend GDES and Depot workshops hosted by VCUarts alumni.

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Apply to graduate for your undergraduate degree.
  • Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
  • Attend Objects+Methods, SOtA, and University lectures.
  • Study Abroad is not allowed during the Fall or Spring of your Senior year.
  • Carefully consider which electives will help you be marketable in your desired career path. Electives from Graphic Design, Arts Cross Disciplinary and Innovate can add to your skill sets in a meaningful way.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
  • Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
  • Read scholarly articles about internationalization in your field.
  • Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
  • Seek out project opportunities and jobs with an emphasis on work that will translate as graphic design.    
  • Attend AIGA student group events.
  • Always read listserv messages. Internship scholarship, part time work and other information is shared via listserv emails.
  • Bring back work and research from study abroad and share with your colleagues. The Department hosts lectures and workshops led by returning students to help others learn and think about study abroad.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
  • Fill out VCU’s First Destination Survey.
  • Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
  • Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Follow up on all job opportunities shared on the gdes-all listserv. Attend alumni events and job fairs offered during Senior Studio.
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2026-2027

Graphic Design

School of the Arts

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
  • Attend one career event sponsored by Career Services.
  • Complete and activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
  • Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
  • Learn more about potential careers by using Forage in the Navigate 360 app.
  • Review your Career Works 4 year career planning tool and start working on your milestones.
  • Seek research opportunities by checking out the Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry webpage.
  • Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
  • Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
  • Connect with the Student Alumni Council to connect to VCU alumni.
  • Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
  • Take advantage of the portfolio building and writing workshops offered by Art Foundation; details are found in ARTF101 in Canvas.
  • Research VCUArts alumni for networking and mentorship opportunities.
Experience Year 2
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
  • Schedule an appointment with your major advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
  • Attend Objects+Methods, SOtA, and University lectures.
  • Keep all your Graphic Design project work for end of the year Sophomore Portfolio Review.
  • Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
  • Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty and apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
  • Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
  • Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
  • Collaborate with students from other Arts disciplines on a project.
  • Seek out volunteer work/projects, with an emphasis on graphic design.   
  • Attend AIGA student group events.
  • Apply for Undergraduate research grant.
  • Always read listserv messages. Internship scholarship, part time work and other information is shared via listserv emails.
  • Consider Qatar student exchange
  • Apply for VCUarts Dean's International Study Grant.
  • Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
  • Build a professional resume and upload it to Handshake.
  • Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
  • Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
  • Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
  • Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
  • Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
  • Meet with a coach at the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
Year 3
  • Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • Meet with your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
  • Prepare for or take an internship for credit (GPA 3.0 or higher).
  • Prepare for Junior Review. All work from your Junior year should be kept for consideration.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
  • Design a community-engaged research project.
  • Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities.
  • Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
  • Attend AIGA student group events.
  • Always read listserv messages. Internship scholarship, part time work and other information is shared via listserv emails.
  • Consider Qatar student exchange or apply for VCUarts Dean's International Study Grant.
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor.
  • Update your ePortfolio.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services or the Writing Center.
  • Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. 
  • Seek out projects with an emphasis on work that will translate as graphic design  
  • Attend GDES and Depot workshops hosted by VCUarts alumni.
Excel Year 4
  • Apply to graduate for your undergraduate degree.
  • Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
  • Attend Objects+Methods, SOtA, and University lectures.
  • Study Abroad is not allowed during the Fall or Spring of your Senior year.
  • Carefully consider which electives will help you be marketable in your desired career path. Electives from Graphic Design, Arts Cross Disciplinary and Innovate can add to your skill sets in a meaningful way.
  • Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
  • Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
  • Read scholarly articles about internationalization in your field.
  • Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
  • Seek out project opportunities and jobs with an emphasis on work that will translate as graphic design.    
  • Attend AIGA student group events.
  • Always read listserv messages. Internship scholarship, part time work and other information is shared via listserv emails.
  • Bring back work and research from study abroad and share with your colleagues. The Department hosts lectures and workshops led by returning students to help others learn and think about study abroad.
  • Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
  • Fill out VCU’s First Destination Survey.
  • Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
  • Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Follow up on all job opportunities shared on the gdes-all listserv. Attend alumni events and job fairs offered during Senior Studio.