A photo of graphic street signage.

Graphic Design + Digital Media

Multi-disciplinary Approach

Strong communication design foundations in UI/UX, 3D, motion graphics, video, VR, branding, packaging and print solutions.

Introduction

Becoming a student of Graphic Design at LCAD means joining one of the nation’s most distinguished design programs. Our program’s multidisciplinary approach recognizes that as a designer in today’s market, you must develop solutions that move seamlessly across a dynamic array of media. Our design graduates are adept with traditional theory and can lead in the innovative use of technology.

The LCAD Graphic Design major offers programs in Graphic Design, Graphic Design w/Illustration Emphasis and Graphic Design w/Action Sport Design Emphasis. We offer a BFA minor in UI/UX and a minor in Motion Design.

Our Design students are taught to become visual problem solvers and critical thinkers who can communicate in visually compelling ways, we are empowering them to be adaptive and successful in an always-evolving industry.

Our graduates have contributed to brands such as ESPN, NIKE, Target, Google, Hurley, Fox Television, PacSun, MSNBC, Kawasaki, Surfer Magazine, the Syfy Channel and the Smithsonian among many others.

Our Graphic Design Alumni Work with Leading Companies

Adidas
Adobe
Amazon
Apple
AT&T Entertainment Group
Billabong
Blizzard
CallisonRTKL
Cartoon Network
Coca-Cola
Disney Consumer
Disney Interactive
Disney Imagineering
Facebook
Fox Entertainment
Google
IKEA
Imaginary Forces
LA Chargers
LAFC Los Angeles Football Club
Lexus
Live Nation
Mattel
Media Monks
Meta
MGM

NIKE
NFL Network
Patagonia
Paypal
Pixar
Pentagram Studios
Random House
Riot Games
Rivian
Roark Revival
Saatchi & Saatchi
Sapient Nitro
Samsung
SF 49ers
Sony
Stance
Snowboard Magazine
Taco Bell Design
Tesla
Vans
Virgin Orbit
Vuori
Warner Brothers
Wieden + Kennedy
Wizards of the Coast

Our Industry Partners

BoardRiders
Hurley
NFL
NHL Anaheim Ducks
Nike
Orange County Airport
Pixar
PrAna
Red Bull
R/GA
Roark Revival
Saatchi & Saatchi
Samsung
SapientNitro
Stance
Taco Bell
UCI Portal for UI/UX Innovation
UCI School of Medicine
Vans

Learning Outcomes

  • Use research skills in the development of design project solutions.
  • Apply digital imaging processes in design projects.
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of composition and color.
  • Apply typography skills in design projects.
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of graphic design principles and their application.
  • Develop creative concepts and effective visual solutions.
  • Demonstrate effective collaboration techniques as evidenced through the completion of real-world projects with corporate partners.

Department Leadership

Dana Photo

Chair of Graphic Design + Digital Media

Dana Herkelrath

Dana Herkelrath is the Chair of the undergraduate Graphic Design + Digital Media Department and a Professor of Visual Communication Design. Dana brings more than 25 years of experience as a designer in Brand Identity, Packaging, Environmental Graphic Design, Merchandising, Marketing and Design Consulting. Her Background includes working with clients in entertainment, medicine, urban community development, education, publishing, hospitality and international aid organizations.

Dana holds a BFA with honors in Graphic Design and Packaging from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California and an MFA in Graphic Design from California State University Long Beach. She has been teaching graphic design courses for 20 plus years and has been faculty at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and Art Center Europe in Switzerland. Dana currently teaches the Senior Portfolio and Graphic Design History courses.

Admissions Information

Application Dates