GRAPHIC DESIGN

AI-Fluent Design Practices + Ethical AI for Creatives

The creative economy is evolving faster than ever. AI is no longer a tool of the future; it is embedded in every major creative workflow and reshaping expectations across design, marketing, media, and visual communication. Graphic designers who can think conceptually, work fluently with intelligent technologies, and make data-informed decisions will lead the next generation of creative industries; those who cannot, will be left behind.

The Graphic Design program at Curry College prepares students to meet this moment. Rooted in the traditions of design excellence, the curriculum integrates artificial intelligence as an ethical, essential creative resource alongside human-centered research and data-driven insight. Across studios in branding, UX/UI, motion, editorial, packaging, photography, animation, and in-house client work through Studio 1071 and internships, students practice hybrid workflows that combine analog craft, digital production, analytics, and AI-supported prototyping, and testing.

Students pursue a well-rounded course of study that develops conceptual thinking, visual systems, technical proficiency, and professional readiness. They learn to interpret user, audience, and market data; to design with accessibility, diversity, and equity in mind; and to reflect critically on the social and ethical implications of intelligent tools. By linking artistic inquiry with innovation, the program equips graduates to navigate and shape, the dynamic intersection of design, technology, and intelligent systems.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE:

At Curry College, the Graphic Design program prepares you to launch a confident, competitive design career at the intersection of creativity, technology, and data-informed insight. You’ll become an adaptable visual communicator who can move fluidly across print, digital, motion, and emerging media, using AI and analytics responsibly while keeping human-centered, research-driven design at the core of every project. Through hands-on studio work, client-facing experiences, and iterative critique, you’ll learn to translate information into impact, building strategic visual systems, solving real audience and market challenges, and responding to today’s fast-changing creative economy.

Graphic Design Program Learning Outcomes:

Key essential competencies for professional graphic designers include:

A.    Conceptual and Problem-Solving Skills
i.     Identify and define communication challenges and design problems across various contexts.
ii.     Conduct research and interpret relevant data to inform the design process and develop creative, data-driven, evidence-based solutions.
 iii.     Apply critical and innovative thinking to generate original and effective visual concepts.

B. Visual and Aesthetic Competence
i.     Apply principles of visual organization, composition, and color theory to:

1. Produce cohesive and compelling designs.

2. Employ typography effectively to enhance communication, readability, and visual impact.

3. Create visual outcomes that demonstrate aesthetic awareness and purposeful design decisions.

C. Contextual and Human-Centered Understanding
i.     Design with sensitivity to audience, purpose, and cultural context.
ii.     Integrate knowledge of human factors, including accessibility, usability, diversity, and user/market data, into design solutions.
iii.     Demonstrate ethical awareness in evaluating the social, environmental, and technological impact of design practice, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

D. Technical and Professional Proficiency
 i.     Demonstrate proficiency in industry-standard tools, software, and production technologies, including AI-driven design applications.
ii.     Apply AI analytics, and emerging technologies thoughtfully, understanding both their creative potential and their ethical limitations.
iii.     Manage projects effectively, collaborating with others and meeting professional standards of organization, and accountability.
iv.     Present a cohesive professional portfolio that reflects individual strengths, creativity, and readiness for employment or advanced study.

E. Historical and Theoretical Insight
i.     Analyze and interpret works of art and design within historical, cultural, and theoretical frameworks.
ii.     Critically evaluate visual communication from diverse perspectives and traditions, including the evolving role of technology and AI in visual culture.

F. Ethical and Responsible Integration of Artificial Intelligence
i.     Evaluate and apply AI technologies in ways that enhance creativity while upholding ethical standards of authorship, equity, and accountability.
ii.     Critically assess the influence of AI on design processes, cultural narratives, and professional practice.
iii.     Demonstrate transparency and integrity in the use of AI-generated or AI-assisted content.

G. Independent Professional Competence
i.     Produce original, conceptually sound, and technically proficient work with minimal supervision.
ii.     Demonstrate adaptability, professionalism, and commitment to learning within the evolving design field.
iii.     Exhibit responsible leadership in navigating ethical and technological change in the creative industries.

Minimum Grade Policy: Students who are majoring or minoring in Graphic Design will be required to retake any pre-/co-requisite, elective, or required course offered to satisfy their major or minor requirement if they earn below a grade of a C-.  

External Design Competitions: All juniors and seniors are required to enter two (2) external design competitions each year for degree completion. Students are required to provide their advisor with a copy of the submission for record.

GRAPHIC DESIGN MINOR

A minor involves a sequence of courses that focus on a particular area of study different from, and secondary to, the major. Courses collectively provide coverage and understanding of the subject area.

Please Note: One course selected for a minor can be a program requirement in the student’s major. Requirements and General Electives can count towards a minor. In the event of duplication, the student must select an appropriate substitution for the same by completing a Degree Audit Adjustment form in consultation with Graphic Design Faculty in the minor and the Department Chair. Students should work closely with their advisor to determine if they will able to meet the requirements of both the major and the minor degree program.

The Graphic Design Minor consists of four required courses and one elective.