At the core of the program is the study of the fundamentals and principles of Graphic Design and Visual Arts combined with an introduction to some of the finer accomplishments of humankind, giving students a sense of duty in terms of serving the idea and helping them to realize that their work in Graphic Design and Visual Arts can realistically effect change in the world. In doing so, the Sacred Heart University Graphic Design and Visual Arts program serves the University’s mission by challenging its students to think visually, observe critically, develop analytical skills and problem-solving abilities, evaluate with a sense of proportion, and communicate observations in an intelligible and articulate fashion. Students learn to develop an aesthetic for their world and to sharpen their abilities to imagine, create, and appreciate. The Graphic Design and Visual Arts program is designed to create digital communication skills within the students and to engage them in verbal dialogue and, thus, establish a foundation for ongoing experience, learning and enrichment in their lives ahead. As a means to accomplishing these goals the department offers students the opportunity to study graphic design employing start-of-the-art digital design applications and hardware. Through the portable laptop program, the Macintosh labs, and our active internship program working with nationally recognized companies in design and marketing, we offer students the opportunity to study contemporary digital design in a rich, liberal arts environment.

The Graphic Design and Visual Arts program offers concentrated studies in digital graphic design. Included are extensive course offerings in all levels of digital visual communication design and a strong program in traditional fine arts. Students study typography, layout, computer graphics, illustration, multimedia, motion, and web design. As a common foundation for all Graphic Design and Visual Arts students, the department offers many levels of drawing, painting, figure drawing, and methods and materials. Students also have the opportunity to study illustration, including editorial and storyboard art, as well as fantasy and graphic novels. By means of this deep and rich experience students learn to select the best method for creating visual solutions to specific problems as well as explore the wide variety of potential careers in digital design. In addition, the Graphic Design and Visual Arts program has an extensive internship program. Students qualifying for the internship program have the opportunity to work for some of the nation’s best design, marketing, and communications companies.