we are design thinkers and makers.
See Ligature 27—our latest student design exhibition, support our students and programs, drop us a line.
offerings
- the MXD—graduate program in Design and Visual Communications, 60 credits
Beginning in fall 2019, we are offering a new MFA in Design and Visual Communications. Called the MXD (Masters by Design), this new program builds on our 20+ year history to design for complexity with people in context. Our program site will launch in late September 2018. For more information, please email us.
- BFA in Graphic Design—undergraduate major, 120 credits
We offer the undergraduate BFA, Graphic Design. During the junior and senior year, this program offers a uniquely collaborative studio/classroom environment where students build a vibrant learning community that fosters exceptional creativity and innovation. This structure is key to our curriculum as it empowers and prepares students for life-long careers in this dynamic field. As a professional degree, our BFA teaches the practice of graphic design. Our alumni consistently indicate that our programs—with their vibrancy, community, and conceptual orientation—prepared them well for rich and rewarding careers in diverse positions.
The degree program in Graphic Design prepares students for careers in design. The curriculum emphasizes concept development, design process, design systems, strategy, and professional development. Our capstone course culminates with a professional portfolio and promotional materials. UF Graphic Design graduates are extremely competitive in the job market and go on to work in a number of design-related fields. Some students also choose to earn a graduate degree in the field or pursue other professional degrees.
- Certificate in Graphic Design, 15 credits
The Certificate in Graphic Design curriculum guides students toward coursework the graphic design faculty considers essential to gain a better understanding of graphic design thinking, processes, methods, and practices in order to create effective graphic and communication design works. Students who complete this certificate will have a focused skillset sought by many disciplines, industries and professions.where do you go from here?
- Mint—the student design studio
Mint Studio. This studio, including its course—Design and Professional Practices — provides advanced design and interdisciplinary students with opportunities to work on real-world projects. It’s here we put our ideas into action and learn how design functions in the world, business, marketing, design strategy, production, and client relations. Working first with client-partners to articulate the problem and project objectives, we then work collaboratively to explore the problem and develop innovative and appropriate solutions within the established parameters. All projects have a learning component for students and we ask that client-partners be willing to support students in their professional growth. In return, we will work closely with our partners and in communities to design for communication needs.
- voxGraphis — UF’s design student group
voxgraphis. We have a vibrant student organization, voxGraphis, for anyone interested in anything graphic design. Meetings take place Wednesdays at 6:15pm. Check the facebook group for the latest news. Each fall, vox organizes a student trip to studios in cities including Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans, Chatanooga, and Charlotte. In addition, they organize and host a design symposium each spring—Ligature—featuring speakers, workshops, and a juried exhibition.
a tradition of excellence, a focus on design futures
For over 50 years, we have taught students to be professional designers and visual communicators. We are the only program at UF to offer the breadth and depth of experience in the contemporary practice of design. We don’t just focus on one or a few things, we believe designers can do everything. That’s why we teach students how to be creative, conceptual, process oriented, aesthetically, and technologically sophisticated. These are all skills and abilities you need to build a creative career. And this will take you far in a dynamic and changing world.
Our alumni are testaments to the launchpad that is our program. They work in branding, user experience, app development, environmental graphics, public sector and service design, publications, retail —think of any aspect of design and you’ll find our alumni there. Alumni are working in the US and abroad, at large and small firms, and many have started their own design studios. You’ll recognize some of the companies where alumni work: Apple, Microsoft, Viacom, JetBlue, Facebook, Interbrand, Twitter, Tampa Bay Lightning, IDEO, Walt Disney Imagineering, Kate Spade, West Elm, R/GA, Electra, Fossil, Miami Heat, Verizon, IBM, Grey, Gennsler, Viget and more. Specifically, our MFA alumni pursue both professional practice and academic careers. Recent MFA alumni are working at Apple, Intuit, Frost Museum of Science, University of Florida, and teaching at University of Alabama at Birmingham, Auburn University, Ball State University, Ohio University, South Dakota State University, University of Florida, and Western Oregon University.