A graphic design 'work in progress' image collaging film strips, blocky text designs and colorful blue and red hand-drawn lettering.

Department of Graphic Design

Penn State Graphic Design prepares students to become designers of tomorrow who build engaging experiences and sustainable relationships among people and communities.

Verbal and Visual

The Department of Graphic Design in the Stuckeman School focuses on the development of students’ skills and abilities in problem solving, and on expanding their expertise and proficiency in the use and application of digital technologies and electronic media.

The curriculum anticipates an evolving context for professional practice through innovative problem-solving at different scales – from objects to systems – engaging with people-centered research and theory, ethical practices, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

With small class sizes, students enjoy individualized attention from faculty bringing extensive design experience in diverse settings.

Design studies are blended with a range of liberal arts, communications, and business courses, thus ensuring graduates are ready for the next step.

The Stuckeman School offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Design degree in Graphic Design and a minor, as well as supporting a Master of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in graphic design in conjunction with the Penn State School of Visual Arts.

Contact

Department of Graphic Design
30 Borland Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-0345
814-863-8706 (fax)

Darrin Thornton
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Outreach; Teaching Professor of Music

Nina Bumgarner
Stuckeman School Graduate Programs Staff Assistant

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Degree Offerings

M.F.A. exhibition showing close up of a sculpture.

M.F.A. in Art

Students gathered around a table with sketches and a laptop open as the instructor points at concepts on the pages

B.Des. in Graphic Design

Graphic Design Minor

Student Work

Converse Chuck 70. Black poster of a pair of white Converse shoes with "70" and stripe texture superimposed around them.

: "Converse Check 70 Rebrand." 2018
Medium: Photography
Student: Kathleen Mensing, Daniel Ziegler, Jill Cordisco and Alexis Stern

The study of typography treatment applied onto walls and floors

: "Anamorphic Typography" 2019
Medium: Masking tape on various surfaces
Student: Amber Lai, Carly Blonski and Abby Blend

Packaging design for luminaire project. The box is made of recycled cardboard paper utilizing the die-cut method to fit 3 light bulbs. This DIY assembly luminaire is either die-cut or laser cut. It's foldable and can be used as a pendant or a free-standing lamp.

: "Glo-Packaging." 2019
Medium: Packaging design
Student: Jeff Buterbaugh

Weather App. Black background, red/orange accent colors, silhouette of building skyline of no particular city. 3 temperatures shown at 68 degrees, 15 degrees, and 75 degrees. The app also recommends clothing you should wear for the day.

: "Weather App." 2017
Medium: Digital
Student: Kathleen Mensing, Callahan Miller and Colleen Wade

Converse Chuck 70. A packaging design made of metal black box, die-cut. There are two views shown: open and closed. The opening is inspired by the zipper.

: "Converse Check 70 Rebrand." 2018
Medium: Packaging design
Student: Kathleen Mensing, Daniel Ziegler, Jill Cordisco and Alexis Stern

A surreal image of two women inside an old train filled with graffiti and white balloons sparingly placed.

: "World of Dreams." Silver Graphis, 2017
Medium: Photography
Student: Emily Adar

The cover of this book has a white textured background with a scary black (cat-like) mask. Over the mouth area writes: "Donnie Darko"

: "Darko." Book cover design. 2018
Medium: Bookcover
Student: Jacqueline Siry

Three images of cell phone app interface designs. Greenplate: A meal Planning App.

: "Green Plate." App design. 2017
Medium: Digital
Student: Eleanor Wing

Social Fashion Magazine. Centerfold of a young long haired brunette wearing a short sleeve "blouse" made of bubble wrap. She sits in a poising pose on a low bookshelf with one leg up and arm rested over her knee. The interior of the room is covered with cellophane sheets which gives off iridescent colors highlighting purple. At the center of the fold, large purple text reads: "Living in a Bubble."

: "Social Fashion Magazine." Silver Graphis, 2017
Medium: Magazine centerfold
Student: Emily Adar

Alumni Spotlight

Arena app design by Colleen Wade shown on three smartphones.

alumni spotlight

Colleen Wade

Graphic Design, B.Des. 2019

“View your education as an opportunity to explore...get weird and fail a few times – it’s a great way to learn.”

Soon after graduating, Colleen Wade landed her dream job at Burton Snowboards, where she is a production designer. She credits her Penn State education with preparing her well for this position, which has given her the opportunity to combine her passion for snowboarding and love of design.

www.colwadesign.com