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A Graphic Design student works on a tablet in the ThinkTANK design studio at Curry College

Discover who you want to become in our career-driven, industry focused Graphic Design program. Your career starts here. 

The Graphic Design program educates individuals to become highly skilled creative thinkers and problem solvers, knowledgeable designers, and responsible professionals, allowing them to enter the marketplace confident and prepared for the ever-evolving field of graphic design. We are close to world-class cultural attractions but, far removed from urban distractions.

Available as a major and a minor, a Graphic Design degree from Curry College focuses on mastering the principles, technology, and practical applications needed to produce industry-relevant design solutions. The curriculum guides students through the process of understanding strategic analysis to mastering the technical, conceptual, and practical skills needed to excel in today’s design industry. Throughout the program, graduates will attend industry conferences, exhibit work in regional and national design competitions, collaborate with leaders in the field, and become proficient using the essential industry software, Adobe Creative Suite.

Courses You’ll Love

Digital Essentials – key industry software programs
Graphic Principles I – creative brainstorming techniques
Graphic Principles II – research methodologies/creative problem-solving skills
Web Design & Development – discovery through content strategy and (UI) User Interface, (UX) User Experience
Package Design – designs that serve as the marketing vehicles for consumer products
Strategic Branding, a Comprehensive Approach – the brand process and best practices for building a brand identity
Motion Graphics – creating visual effects/motion graphics that visually engaging your audience
2D and 3D Animation – creating professional artwork for multiple platforms: web, games, movies, and animation

Career Options

Career opportunities include positions as a visual designer; print designer; package designer; editorial designer; brand & identity strategic designer; production designer; layout artists; corporate communications designer; in-house graphic designer; creative designer; creative service manager; information graphic designer; communications director; presentation specialist; exhibition designer; environmental graphics designer; web designer; front-end web designer; designer/developer; social media designer; user interface (UI) designers; user experience (UX) designer; cross-media designer; and an interaction designer.

Graduates will also be prepared to pursue a Master of Fine Arts or a Masters of Arts graduate degree in graphic design and digital and interactive media.

Work Like the Pros

  • Hone your visual communication skills in a new industry-inspired open-plan design studio
  • Master the industry-standard Adobe software
  • Use the newest print and digital design equipment including large format printers, digital photography equipment, and Wacom tablets (see description below).
  • Compete among the best - juniors and seniors will participate in two industry design competitions each year.
  • Learn from the industry leaders – students will join AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts), the professional association for design.

With more than 35 years of digital pen technology, Wacom is the industry-standard tool for digital art. Designers around the world depend on Wacom products to help them work smarter and more efficiently. No matter the discipline or industry, Wacom tablets and displays optimize workflows and make the creative process flow. By having Wacom pen displays within the classroom, students step into their art careers with the tech-skills and confidence to get creative without boundaries.

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Course Requirements and Information

First-Year students applying as Graphic Design or Studio Arts majors are required to submit a portfolio of 10 original works of art for admission to the programs. Transfer students applying to Graphic Design are required to submit a portfolio of 15 original works of art. Transfer portfolios will aid in placement into appropriate courses. Acceptable works include, but are not limited to, 2-D and 3-D design, drawing, painting, mixed-media, sculpture, and still or animated digital representations.

Portfolios can be submitted to curryportfolio.slideroom.com. Acceptable files in the portfolio include:

  • Images (jpg, gif, png) up to 5 MB each
  • Videos (fav, wmv, mov, mp4) up to 60 MB each
  • Audio (mp3) up to 30 MB each
  • Documents (pdf) up to 10 MB each 

Please reach out to adm@curry.edu if you have additional questions about the portfolio requirement.

If you don’t currently have a portfolio, please feel free to reach out to Alison Poor-Donahue, MFA, Professor and Chairperson of Department of Visual & Performing Arts to schedule a consultation.

Thank you,

Alison Poor-Donahue, MFA
Professor and Chairperson
Department of Visual & Performing Arts
978-407-3121 (cell)
alison.poordonahue@curry.edu

Laptop Requirement for Students Majoring in Graphic Design

The College requires all students in the Graphic Design Program to have a laptop computer and a subscription to Adobe Creative Suite when they declare their major in Graphic Design. Classroom instruction, course assignments and research during and outside of class hours will require the use of a personal computer.

We require a minimum of 64GB RAM to ensure ease when running Adobe Creative Suite. Up-to-date operating systems and software are required. If a laptop is purchased that doesn’t meet the recommended laptop specifications it may not be able to run industry software or last the length of the undergraduate program.

The Visual and Performing Arts Department also highly recommends that all students purchase an external hard drive for additional portable storage and file back-up (1TB is optimal). Several models are available through the College Bookstore or from Apple Education. The department also recommends that students obtain AppleCare+ and a USB-C to USB Adaptor.

Required Laptop - Minimum Specifications: 16-inch MacBook Pro

Hardware

  • 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display²
  • Standard display
  • Apple M4 Max chip with 16 core CPU, 40 core GPU, 16 core Neural Engine
  • 64GB unified memory
  • 1TB SSD storage
  • 140W USB-C Power Adapter
  • Three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI port, SDXC card slot, headphone jack, MagSafe 3 port
  • Backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID - US English
  • AppleCare+

Students must also obtain the Adobe Creative Suite through a monthly subscription online. Subscriptions for students are offered at a reduced fee and proof of enrollment at Curry College is required when subscribing.

Questions? Please contact:

Alison Poor-Donahue, MFA
Professor and Chairperson
Department of Visual & Performing Arts
978-407-3121 (cell)
alison.poordonahue@curry.edu

Financial Aid

The purchase of the recommended model of the required laptop and the annual student subscription to Adobe Creative Suite will be included in the cost of attendance that is used to determine financial aid and loan eligibility one time during a student’s undergraduate experience at Curry College.

Technical Support

Please note that Curry College’s Information Technology Services (ITS) Department does not provide full support to student laptops. Curry ITS provides best-effort support including software installs/troubleshooting, virus removal, and general use questions. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain AppleCare+ to access additional support including service, accidental damage coverage, and battery service coverage directly from Apple.

Laptop Requirement for Students Minoring in Graphic Design

All students minoring in Graphic Design are required to have a laptop that meets minimum specifications. While Apple is the industry standard in the Graphic Design field, not all industries utilize this platform. Regardless of whether or not a student utilizes an Apple or PC, those who minor in Graphic Design should consult with the Visual and Performing Arts Department to ensure that their device meets the minimum standards required to utilize Adobe Creative Suite. All students minoring in Graphic Design are required to subscribe to the Adobe Creative Suite and laptop computers must be powerful enough to support the Adobe Creative Suite.

Professor Alison Poor-Donahue, MFA, Graphic Design

Meet Professor Alison Poor-Donahue

As a highly motivated professor with years of expertise in the field, Alison Poor-Donahue, MFA leads the recently redeveloped Graphic Design major at Curry College. She encourages and supports student innovation, experimentation, and encourages an entrepreneurial attitude both inside and outside the classroom.

Meet Professor Poor-Donahue
The Curry College ThinkTANK Design Studio

Welcome to the ThinkTANK

To replicate the industry atmosphere, Curry College has created a “ThinkTANK” design studio in the Kennedy Academic Building. In this space, students brainstorm, conceptualize, and develop dynamic systems that facilitate meaningful, consumer-based interactions. Students now have access to a digital photography studio, large format printers, and industry-standard Wacom tablets.

Explore the ThinkTank

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