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Art and Art History

Graphic Design Minor

The Graphic Design minor will equip students with a range of graphic design skills, providing students with the opportunity to enhance potential career choices in occupations where graphic design as well as artistic, creative design thinking, and technical capabilities are valued. Examples of prospective employers include internet and software development companies, advertising firms, design and branding agencies. Through the graphic design minor, students will learn how to participate in the creative problem-solving process, communicate ideas through the explorations of design possibilities, and examine the roles that design plays in shaping modern culture. The minor will provide the practical experience preparing our students for the industry after graduation.

Minor Requirements

9 courses: 8 ARTS and 1 ARTH

  • ARTS 30 (or approved upper-division equivalent)
  • One three-dimensional course from ARTS 33, 63, or 64 (or approved upper-division equivalent)
  • ARTS 70
  • ARTS 74
  • Two courses from ARTS 173, 175, 177, 178, or 182
  • Two additional studio ARTS courses (excluding ARTS 190, 194, 199)
  • One ARTH course which must be taken at SCU (excluding ARTH 11A, 12A, or 194)

Students must declare the Graphic Design minor by the beginning of their junior year. Students cannot simultaneously declare a graphic design minor and animation and illustration minor, studio art minor or studio art major. No more than four transfer credit courses or study abroad courses may be accepted for the graphic design minor. Transfer credit or study abroad courses in art history are not accepted for the graphic design minor. Only approved courses from the study abroad course equivalency database may be accepted as transfer credit.

Studio Art Major with Graphic Design Emphasis

Studio art majors have the option of completing a Graphic Design emphasis within the major. Like the general studio art major, the emphasis requires the four foundation ARTS courses, four ARTH courses, ARTS 100, 190, and 196, and six additional studio ARTS elective courses; however, the elective courses need to be specific to the emphasis as listed below. Completion of the emphasis will be noted on the student's transcript. The emphasis is for studio art majors only. Students may only complete one emphasis.

Graphic Design Emphasis

Specific elective requirements to fulfill the Graphic Design emphasis: 

  • One lower-division from ARTS 70 or 75
  • Two upper-division from ARTS 173, 175, 177, 178, or 182

Are you ready to declare an Graphic Design minor or emphasis? Interested students may submit a Program Petition form. 

Need to keep track of your requirements? Download the Graphic Design Checksheet.

For additional questions about the Graphic Design minor or emphasis, contact Qiuwen Li at [email protected]