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Bachelor of Science
Graphic Design

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Program Overview

DO YOU LOVE TO CREATE visually captivating illustrations? Are you passionate about designing either by hand or using computer software? Do you dream of inspiring others through your work? JWU Graphic design students in the heart of the Creative Capital in Rhode Island are doing this and more every day.

In our specialized design labs and studios, you’ll learn to solve visual communication problems using design and digital tools, including current design software and hardware. And during your junior year, you’ll narrow your studies by choosing to focus in either print or web. It’s how we help you find your career path.

Before You Graduate

You’ll have a portfolio full of your increasingly sophisticated design work. Not to mention the ability to develop a focused identity that carries through all of your presented materials — and identifies you as an independent graphic designer. You’ll hone your graphic design skills by creating, editing and presenting visual collateral that includes the design of branding/logos, packages, publications, photography/video, typography, websites and user interface experiences.

During Your Senior Year

Gain industry experience by creating, managing and presenting design projects to actual clients from community-based organizations based in the greater Providence area.

Graphic Design Lab

Take a tour of where graphic design students put their learning to work.

Everything about the design department is designed to get you to be a professional. It’s all focused on making you the best designer you can be. NOAH FYE '23

REVEAL Design Senior Showcase

Each spring, JWU Graphic Design and Product Design seniors celebrate the success of their time at JWU by showing off their incredible work to the JWU community and the public at the REVEAL Senior Showcase.

In this video, students Noah Fye, Emma Jones and Dayna Brown (all '23) take you on a tour of the Bowen Center Gallery and share some of their favorite graphics, branding and packaging designs from an impressive group of senior designers:

You can also explore senior design portfolios on the JWU.DESIGN site:

Explore JWU Senior Design Portfolios

Student-faculty ratio and career outcomes infographic

For an explanation of the career outcomes rate and other information, visit JWU Student Consumer Information.

Sample Graphic Design Courses

  • Brand Identity Design & Development
  • Image Editing & Design
  • Introduction to 3D Design
  • Package Design
  • Typography
  • Content Management Systems
  • Screen Design & Coding

In addition to classes, free elective credit can be applied to a number of options such as Directed Experiential Education (DEE), internship, minor or study abroad. You are encouraged to contact an advisor before scheduling free elective credits.

Explore the full JWU Catalog course listing:

Providence

Two students walk by Gaebe Commons

Special Event: Open House

Campus is open for you! Take a student-led walking tour and meet with Admissions, Student Financial Services, Faculty, Residential Life and more. Learn more about academics and meet professors and the college dean, too.

Register for an Open House

Featured Graphic Design Faculty

Associate Professor Deana Marzocchi
Deana Marzocchi

Associate Professor

My specialty is the experiential ed courses that we offer students. They meet with clients, develop project briefs, and go through all the phases of design creating logos, print design, web design and video.

Assistant Professor Jeff Drury
Jeff Drury

Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor Drury teaches courses in web design, front-end development, user experience, motion graphics, video production and digital imaging.

Karyn Jimenez-Elliott
Karyn Jimenez-Elliott

Associate Professor

Jimenez-Elliott is a project-based teacher who brings her industry experience to life in the classroom through her teaching style and assigned projects. She is passionate about design for social impact.

Did You Know: Rhode Island Graphic Design Jobs

After California and New York, Rhode Island has the third-largest percentage of creative sector jobs per capita in the United States.

Source: DesignxRI, Design Is Rhode Island

Speaking Through Graphic Design

Karyn Jimenez-Elliott (right) teaching a design class at JWU.

For Associate Professor Karyn Jimenez-Elliott, graphic design serves as an outlet to channel her emotions. She is inspired to design for social impact both in and out the classroom, and with so much happening in the world right now, she’s doing her part to make a wider impact — people have noticed.

Read Her Story

Wildcat Willie at the Ignite the Night event.

5 Things to Know About Applying to JWU

If you’re wondering how to apply to Johnson & Wales, look no further.

Applying to JWU

DESIGN IN ACTION

The street-level gallery space of JWU’s College of Engineering & Design frequently highlights the best work of our student designers — like this display from one of the REVEAL Senior Showcases.

Occupational Outlook*

Some professions may require additional study, background checks, certifications, licenses, exams and/or experience as required qualifications for employment. Students are responsible for verifying that they can meet the employment requirements of potential employers.

Occupation Growth Median Salary
Art Directors 4% $100,890
Career and Technical Education Teachers 2% $61,160
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists 3% $68,900
Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators 12% $60,360
Graphic Designers 3% $50,710
Special Effects Artists and Animators 5% $78,790
Software Developers 25% $109,020
Web Developers and Digital Designers 23% $78,300

Career possibilities: Creative Director, Package Designer, Editorial Designer, Digital Designer, Visual Designer, Creative Design Specialist, Web Designer, UI/UX Designer, Front End Developer.

*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Job outlook: 2021-2031. Median salary: 2023.

Faculty Contact

Providence

Deana Marzocchi
401-598-2514
Email

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