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Commercial Art Major

Study graphic design and digital imaging

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SBU's commercial art major is the largest major within SBU's art program and will expose you to a variety of art forms with an emphasis on graphic design and art technology.

The commercial art industry is competitive but full of opportunities. SBU commercial art and graphic design major alumni are serving as graphic designers in many different industries such as marketing, design and directing, studio photography, teaching and more.

This degree is offered through SBU's Geneva Casebolt College of Arts and Social Sciences.

Resources

Degree Plan

9:1
Student to Faculty
ratio

(Benefit from small class sizes with a 9:1 student:faculty ratio, enabling you to receive individualized instruction and guidance.)

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The SBU Advantage

  • Choose either a graphic design or a digital imaging (photography emphasis) concentration for more focused career preparation.
  • Work with real-world clients on a regular basis completing projects that help build your professional portfolio.
  • Small class sizes mean you benefit from personalized instruction and guidance and can build lifelong friendships with your classmates and instructors.
  • Learn from commercial art faculty who have more than 20 years of professional experience in the field.

Faith Integration

SBU's Department of Art is intentional about the integration of Christian faith and academic discipline. You will learn how faith influences how we see the world and how art provides a platform by which we can communicate our faith and worldview. Faith discussions are woven into course material. For example, art history courses examine the impact of Christian history on famous and influential art pieces.

Additionally, you will learn how you can use your God-given artistic abilities to make a difference. At SBU, you will have the opportunity to incorporate art with missions and will be challenged to consider how faith influences art.

Perry Misloski
"The professors are experienced and used the most relevant software that is being used in the field. I continue to use many of the Photoshop techniques that I was taught in my graphic design class. The graphic design world is very competitive, and I believe my professors challenged us to go above and beyond the required task in order to create a habit of doing quality work."
Perry Misloski '13
Design and Social Media Manager for Harriman-Jewell Series

Full-Time Faculty

Chadd Caldwell

Chadd Caldwell, Associate Professor
Grant Cochran

Grant Cochran, Assistant Professor
 

Additional Information for Commercial Art Students

Driskill Art Gallery

The University Gallery provides students with hands-on opportunities in curating exhibits, hanging shows and displaying their own work. Additionally, the Driskill Art Gallery hosts regional artists throughout each academic year.

Art Club

Join the SBU Art Club to interact with other art students and participate in extracurricular activities which will enhance your art education.

Scholarships

You may submit an art portfolio to apply for an art performance scholarship.

Additionally, there are several privately funded art scholarships for which you may apply, including the Dunnegan Scholarship and the Earl & Gloria Shell and Sharon Shell Garrison Scholarship.

Graphic Design Commercial Art FOUR YEAR PLAN

Digital Imaging Commercial ART FOUR YEAR PLAN

Discover Core Curriculum