The graphic design stream prepares students to be clear and creative visual communicators who provide powerful strategic solutions for business and society. Students learn problem-solving methods and critical design thinking, typography, editorial and book design, and branding. Senior-year students research and develop design strategies and content, as well as graphic design solutions, for real-world projects including editorial, book projects, digital media, and information design. Students learn to see graphic design as a powerful strategic business tool and a positive and tangible contribution to industry and society.

The advertising stream prepares graduates to excel as ethically responsible and provocative designers, art directors, and creative directors in the vast and highly competitive advertising industry. Students study concept development, writing and storytelling, the power of craft, and design. The Advertising Stream focuses on original thinking, which entails conceptual inventiveness in mediums that speak to contemporary culture.

The Illustration stream prepares graduates to create compelling ideas and images that communicate powerfully and clearly. Illustration engages the imagination, incorporating storytelling, psychological insight, problem solving, analytical thought, and creative interpretation of information and ideas. The leading role illustration plays in visual communication, advertising, graphic design, storytelling and narrative structure is studied and supported by a breadth of pertinent studio and liberal studies courses, as well as interaction with industry professionals. Through this program stream, students learn to create and visually express their own unique voice and vision as illustrators and creators of their own intellectual property.

The character design stream prepares students to excel in character design, storytelling, and sequential narrative. This field encompasses the creation of graphic novels and comics, children’s storybooks, and concept art for film and digital media such as video and online games. Students study traditional and contemporary narrative structure and are encouraged to write original scripts and create their own intellectual property.