Graphic Design
About the Major
The Graphic Design major prepares students for creating print and electronic designs in a wide variety of organizations. The curriculum educates students in design methods, design theory, and creative problem solving, as well as visual and verbal literacy. An emphasis is placed on visual components: how humans communicate, perceive, interpret, and understand visual information.
Career Outcomes
Where do students work after graduation?
Where do students work after graduation?
| Job Title | Employer |
|---|---|
| Assistant Digital Media Coordinator | I'm Changing The Narrative |
| Associate Creative Director | Goodshop Badshop |
| Communications Specialist - Graphics | OATI |
| Creative Tech | Space150 |
| Design and Content Associate | Consequence Media |
| Design Assistant | Lucky Bee Creative Studio |
| Developer Trainee | Genesis 10 |
| Digital Designer | Super Studio |
| Digital Marketing and Designer | Sanford |
| Enterprise Marketing Design Intern | Sezzle |
| Freelance Graphic Designer | Self-Employed |
| Graphic Design Intern | Minnesota Twins |
| Graphic Designer | Sezzle |
| Graphic Designer | 3M |
| Graphic Designer and Photographer | Minneapolis Ragstock Co. |
| Homepage Digital Content Designer | Target |
| Interaction Designer | Sezzle |
| Lead Digital Designer & Product Listing Coordinator | Hat Shark |
| Marketing Designer | Bright Cellars |
| Marketing Specialist | Valley Community Credit Union |
| Multimedia and Web Associate | University of Minnesota |
| Photographer | Ali Buchstaber Photography |
| Project Management Associate | Boom Lab |
| Quality Assurance Tester | Activision Blizzard |
| UX Designer | Spark Labs |
| Web Press Crewmember | Schumann Printing Inc |
Where do students continue education after graduation?
Where do students continue education after graduation?
| Program | School |
|---|---|
| Information Technology | Microsoft Military Spouse Technology Academy |
| Marketing | Liberty University |
| Nursing | University of Minnesota |
| Sports Product Design | University of Oregon |
Where students interned and gained experience during school
Where are alumni 5 years after graduation?
Where are alumni 5 years after graduation?
| Job Title | Employer |
|---|---|
| Art Director | Capsule |
| Color and Materials Designer | Adidas |
| Content Production Coordinator, Graphic Design | Insight News INC |
| Contract Graphic Novel Illustrator | NTC Corporate |
| Creative Director | PPI Sports |
| Digital Designer | Target |
| Freelance Designer, Illustrator, and Animator | Self-Employed |
| Graphic Designer | Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC |
| Graphic Designer | Perkins and Will |
| Graphic Production Designer | ALPS, A DST Company |
| Independent Design Consultant | Ellen Hughes Design, LLC |
| Junior Graphic Designer | Industrial Fabrics Association International |
| Marketing and Creative Services Manager | Grand Rapids State Bank |
| Marketing Communications Specialist | YWCA Minneapolis |
| Multi Cultural Creative Lead | Target |
| Product Development Specialist | The LANG Companies, LLC |
| Product Manager | PropertySimple |
| Senior Digital Designer | 10 Thousand Design |
| Senior Graphic Designer | 3M |
| Senior Presentation Specialist | Carmichael Lynch |
| Senior Production Designer | Target |
| Senior User Experience Designer & Consultant | Best Buy |
| User Experience Designer | eLumen, Inc. |
| Visual Communications Specialist | AM Retail Group |
| Visual Designer | Amazon |
| Web Designer | Wisconsin HIstorical Society |
| Web Designer/Front-End Developer | Carleton College |
Where are alumni 10 years after graduation?
Where are alumni 10 years after graduation?
| Job Title | Employer |
|---|---|
| Associate Creative Director | Treefort |
| Brand Strategy Marketing Manager | Wisconsin Department of Tourism |
| Creative Director | Push Interactive |
| Designer | AKQA |
| Designer & Front End Developer | Bust Out Solutions, Inc |
| Digital Art Director | Strother Communications Group |
| Director of Marketing | Alchemy365 |
| Director of Pixel Delivery | Distill |
| Experience Design Lead | Target |
| Freelance Graphic Designer | Self-Employed |
| Graphic Designer, Artist, Blogger | Self-Employed |
| Graphic Designer/Webmaster | University of Minnesota |
| Illustrator | Self |
| Lead ACD - Style | Target |
| Marketing Communications Specialist | Ivystone Group LLC |
| Operations Manager: University Imaging Centers | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities |
| Partner + Creative Director | btd brand |
| Principal Graphic Designer | Nordstrom |
| Print Production / Graphic Design | Minuteman Press |
| Senior Designer & Art Director | Life Time Creative |
| Senior Graphic Designer | Element Creative |
| Senior Writer / Producer | CNN Creative Marketing |
| Sr. Product Designer | Target |
| Sr. Web Developer | Three Deep Marketing |
| UX Designer | Best Buy |
| Visual Merchandising Experience Partner Next-Gen Experience Spaces | Target |
| Web Designer and Drupal Developer | Self-Employed |
Full outcomes report including salary, locations, satisfaction, and more
Common Entry-Level Job Titles
- Graphic Designer
- Information/Data Visualization Designer
- Interactive Designer
- Marketing Coordinator
- User Experience Designer
- Web Designer
Top Employers
- 3M
- Broadhead Co.
- Cards Against Humanity
- Hunt Adkins
- KNOCK, Inc.
- Riley Hayes
- Sezzle
- Space150
- Target
- University of Minnesota
Types of Employers
- Advertising agencies
- Design firms
- Educational institutions
- For-profit organizations
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit organizations
Meet Your Career Consultant
Brian (he/him) can assist you with
- Major and career exploration
- Internship planning
- Job searching
- Interview prep and practice
- Grad school planning and more...
Additional Resources
In addition to these resources we recommend the following strategies to locate more information about careers related to your major:
- O*NET and Careerwise. These tools provide comprehensive information about a wide range of careers including typical duties, salaries, employment outlook, skills and interests.
- Locate professional associations related to your major or career interests by conducting a Google Search on “(Name of major/career area/industry) professional associations.” Try these keywords: graphic, design, marketing
- Get involved in one of the many industry-related student groups on campus. These groups provide links to experiences, guest speakers, and discussion with like-minded students.
- Study Abroad Information for Graphic Design