The Center for Art & Design Receives National Re-accreditation
The College has proven it meets all of the highest standards for preparing art and design students to work as professionals in the visual arts.
Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design (BFA)
Choose Saint Rose for Your Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design
Graphic design is art with a different aim: to create something both beautiful and functional.
Saint Rose art and design faculty believe that the best graphic design program is one that finds an ideal balance between art and usability, and helps you apply those lessons practically and personally, to your own talents and goals.
Saint Rose has produced some of the finest graphic designers in the industry—a fact recognized by both Graphic Design USA and the NY Art Directors’ Club—for those very reasons: a balanced program that marries design foundations and theory with professional, practice-ready projects.
Small Classes, Big Ideas
We pride ourselves on creating an intimate class environment that offers individual attention for every student and building a powerful reputation and alumni network, both of which have opened doors for our graduates and result in some of the industry’s highest job and grad school placement rates.
That blend of small classes, big ideas, and proven outcomes has led to multiple-award-winning work, and propelled our graduates to their dream jobs in: advertising, publishing, entertainment design, web design, web animation, creative art direction, and every design role —including heading up their own design firm.
Program Highlights
You receive the full Saint Rose Center for Art & Design experience:
- Previously recognized by the NY Art Directors’ Club as one of the top 20 US design programs
- Named a “Top US Graphic Design School” by Graphic Design USA in 2015
- Three computer labs outfitted with current design software and professional exhibition space in the Esther Massry Gallery
- Ideal location for art exploration in NYC, plus opportunities for faculty-led design and art programs in London, Spain, Italy, France, Ecuador, Cuba and China
- Proven outcomes in both professional career placement and acceptance by prestigious grad schools like Yale, Tyler and the Portfolio Center
- Get valuable internship opportunities attuned to your area of interest: Internships are required, and you’re supported in finding them
- Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
What Our Students Say
Michael Vamosy '93
B.F.A Graphic Design
Michael Vamosy is the Chief Creative Officer at Stun, a Los Angeles-based entertainment agency specializing in high-end video content for television and new media. Watch our spotlight video to hear how Saint Rose helped Michael figure it out.
Graphic Design Student Honored with National Ad Award
Farrah Mills, graphic design ’18, won gold at the American Advertising Federation’s American Advertising Awards in New Orleans on June 10. Farrah is the only entrant from the local district – student or professional – to win gold at the national level this year. She created an integrated branding campaign for Backwood Brews, a fictitious brewery, coffee roaster and restaurant.
I am still in awe over this happening, and I cannot thank Saint Rose enough, most importantly the art department for having such amazing and supportive design educators.”
Student Work
Graphic Design students are asked to design and prototype a user interface for an augmented reality application that delivers layered information to the user. Tim James ’19 created a golfing analysis app that assists the golfer and the coach when analyzing the swing of the athlete. The app tracks the motion of the body and captures that information and presents it to the user through a screen-based interface. The coach can then make recommendations to the golfer to make corrections to his swing.
Exceptional Faculty
Emphasis on inventive hands-on learning
Our faculty are committed to your ability to act creatively, think critically, and make lasting contributions as innovative artists, designers, educators, scholars, and leaders.
Faculty Spotlight: Kristine Tolmie
Department Chair, Associate Professor of Printmaking
Professor Tolmie has taught all introductory-, core-, advanced- and graduate-level courses in screen printing, intaglio printmaking, and relief printmaking. Areas of specialization include: printmaking curriculum design and development, as well as, studio management.
Internship Opportunities & Curriculum
Internships in Graphic Design
Gaining relevant work experience before you graduate is integral to your success, which is why internships are required at The Center for Art & Design. Build your portfolio at organizations such as ESPN, Pentagram, L.L. Bean, The Vermont Sculpture Center, Dia Art Foundation, and more.
Internship Spotlight
Esther Jewett '20
B.F.A Graphic Design
Roughly 2,000 people applied for the internship, but only three got accepted into the creative department at L.L. Bean Inc. Now, Esther K Jewett '20, a graphic design major, is working on projects that will get implemented in different stores across the country. Watch Esther’s story!
Course Requirements
The College of Saint Rose Studio Art program offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, enabling our students to create and develop visual responses to communication problems within the graphic and interaction design professions.
Suggested Four Year Course Plan
Look ahead at the required and optional courses to be completed for the program, over eight semesters, for a total of 127 required credits. Download the following course sequences to help you plan out your degree:
Alumni Outcomes
Our Alumni have got it figured out.
They’re designing for the world’s top publications and consumer brands, curating at galleries and museums, producing animations for video games and films. Or they’re beautifying urban landscapes with their murals, or running their own businesses. Our art and design alumni are influential, productive, visible, successful, and happy in their chosen fields.
Explore Our Amazing Outcomes
Peter Garceau ’05, Graphic Design Alumni,
Art Director at PublicAffairs Books, where he works on a variety of projects, primarily book covers.
Related Programs
Studio Art
Concentrate on painting and drawing, photography, printmaking, or sculpture, spacious, well-equipped studio facilities for each concentration.
Design Media Arts
Learn foundational art and design principles and techniques, build communications skills, and do hands-on work for clients.
Contact Us Now
Of course, if you have any questions, please reach out. We’re here to help.
Kristine Tolmie
Department Chair
The Center for Art & Design
Contact Information
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