Graphic Design Major Q&A | Chapman University

Summary

In this video, Lindsay shares her comprehensive experience as a graphic design major at Chapman University, where she is about to graduate. She covers various topics like the application process, including portfolio tips and whether prior knowledge of design software is necessary. Lindsay discusses the curriculum, highlighting essential classes, and explains the work involved in the major, from hands-on projects to portfolio shows. She also answers common questions about internships, studying abroad, and job prospects after graduation, offering insights and advice for future graphic design students.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Chapman University is ranked as the number one graphic design school in California.
• 🖌 The portfolio submitted during the application process should demonstrate a variety of creative mediums, including photography, sculpture, and videography.
• 💻 Knowledge of Adobe software isn't required before admission, but it helps. Most students learn these programs during their courses.
• 🎨 Students don’t need to be skilled at drawing to succeed in graphic design. Creativity and a passion for creating are key.
• 📚 Chapman University’s graphic design program has a structured four-year plan with specific design courses in each year.
• 📖 Classes include both physical art courses like book arts and digital design courses covering Adobe programs, typography, web design, and more.
• 🖼 Students get two opportunities to showcase their portfolios in a gallery during their time at Chapman.
• 🤝 Students participate in an AIGA portfolio review, where professionals critique their work and offer networking opportunities.
• 🌍 Study abroad opportunities are available, but careful planning is required to avoid course conflicts.
• 💼 Graduates can pursue various career paths including motion design, packaging design, UX/UI design, or even becoming an art director.

Q & A

What is the focus of the video created by Lindsay?

The video focuses on Lindsay's experience as a graphic design major at Chapman University. She provides a comprehensive overview of the program and her personal journey, aimed at helping prospective students.

Why is Chapman University sponsoring this video?

Chapman University sponsored the video to promote its graphic design program, which Lindsay highlights as the number one graphic design school in California.

What tips does Lindsay give for preparing a portfolio when applying for the graphic design program?

Lindsay advises selecting pieces that show variety in mediums, such as video, painting, charcoal portraits, and sculpture, to demonstrate creativity. She mentions that applicants don't need digital artwork or extensive Adobe program knowledge to apply.

Do you need to have prior knowledge of Adobe programs before starting the graphic design program at Chapman?

No, prior knowledge of Adobe programs is not required, but having some familiarity can give you an advantage. Lindsay learned the programs, like InDesign and Illustrator, during her time in college.

What is the structure of the graphic design curriculum at Chapman University?

The program follows a structured four-year plan. In the first two years, students take foundational art and design classes. The third and fourth years focus on advanced design classes, such as typography, web design, and business practices for graphic designers.

How are the graphic design classes at Chapman different from other majors?

Graphic design classes are longer, typically three hours twice a week, compared to other majors where classes are three hours once a week or one and a half hours twice a week.

What opportunities do students have to showcase their work during the program?

Students participate in two portfolio shows during their time at Chapman, where they display their work in an art gallery. Additionally, they take part in the AIGA portfolio review, where professionals provide feedback on their portfolios.

Is studying graphic design at Chapman a lot of work?

Yes, it involves a lot of work, including both screen time and hands-on tasks like cutting and printing. However, if you're passionate about design, Lindsay notes that it doesn't feel burdensome.

Can graphic design students at Chapman study abroad?

Yes, but students need to plan their schedule in advance to ensure it doesn't interfere with required courses. Lindsay's friends went abroad successfully, and she herself did a summer graphic design course in London.

What career paths can graphic design graduates from Chapman University pursue?

Graduates can pursue various careers, including graphic designer, motion designer, UX/UI designer, packaging designer, environmental designer, art director, or freelance designer. A graphic design degree can also be beneficial in many other fields.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Introduction and Personal Experience at Chapman University

Lindsay introduces herself and her channel, mentioning that this video is a comprehensive guide on her experience as a graphic design major at Chapman University. She shares her excitement about graduating soon and mentions that the video is sponsored by Chapman University. She highlights the university's prestigious graphic design program, ranked number one in California, and gives an overview of the topics she will cover, starting with the application process.

05:01

📝 Application Process and Portfolio Tips

Lindsay discusses the application process for Chapman University's graphic design program, emphasizing the importance of submitting a portfolio. She advises selecting diverse pieces that showcase creativity across different mediums, such as sculpture, painting, and videography. Lindsay also answers common questions about whether prior knowledge of design software or strong drawing skills are required, clarifying that neither is necessary but can be advantageous.

10:02

📚 Classes and Curriculum Overview

Lindsay explains the structure of the graphic design curriculum at Chapman University, which follows a four-year plan. The first two years focus on introductory art and design courses, including physical art, Adobe software training, typography, and web design. The third and fourth years are dedicated to advanced design classes, including typography, web design, and design business practices. She also mentions art history classes and the intensive nature of the design major, which requires more class hours than other majors.

🎨 Portfolio Shows and Professional Reviews

Lindsay talks about the portfolio shows required for graphic design majors at Chapman University, where students showcase their printed work in an art gallery. She describes it as a rewarding experience to share her work with family and friends. She also mentions the AIGA portfolio review, where professionals critique students' portfolios in a speed-dating format, providing valuable feedback and networking opportunities.

📚 Managing Workload and Building Relationships with Professors

Lindsay answers a frequently asked question about the workload in the graphic design major, acknowledging that it is demanding but manageable if students are passionate about the work. She praises the resources provided by Chapman, such as free printing and computer labs, and highlights the importance of forming strong relationships with professors who offer personalized guidance and support in small class settings.

🌍 Study Abroad Opportunities and Internships

Lindsay explains how students can study abroad while pursuing a graphic design degree, emphasizing the need for early planning. She shares her own experience of studying graphic design in London during the summer. Lindsay also discusses internships, stating that while only a senior-year internship is required, many students start as early as sophomore year. Internships provide real-world experience that complements classroom learning and can lead to future job opportunities.

💼 Career Opportunities and Preparing for the Workforce

Lindsay covers potential career paths for graphic design graduates, such as working as a freelance designer, at an agency, or pursuing roles like motion designer, UX/UI designer, or art director. She stresses the value of internships and how they have prepared her for the real world. Lindsay also reflects on whether college was worth it, affirming that the combination of her education and internship experiences has equipped her well for her future career.

📱 Useful Tools, Specializations, and Final Tips

Lindsay shares her thoughts on design software and tools like the iPad, noting that while it's helpful, it isn't essential for success. She encourages students to focus on areas of design they enjoy and to build a portfolio that reflects their personal style. Lindsay emphasizes the importance of learning from older students, being open to various styles, and continuing to refine skills over time.

👋 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Lindsay wraps up the video, thanking Chapman University for sponsoring it and expressing her excitement about her upcoming graduation. She invites viewers to ask any additional questions in the comments and hints at a future video where she will share more details about her portfolio. She signs off, thanking her audience and expressing her enthusiasm for future content.

Keywords

💡Graphic Design

Graphic design refers to the visual communication process that combines text, images, and layout to convey messages. In the video, Lindsay discusses her experience as a graphic design major at Chapman University, explaining how the field involves both creative and technical skills. The concept is central to the video as Lindsay walks through the coursework, portfolio requirements, and potential career paths.

💡Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of an artist or designer’s best work, demonstrating their creativity and skillset. In the video, Lindsay emphasizes the importance of submitting a diverse portfolio during the application process for Chapman University's graphic design program. She also talks about the portfolio shows at Chapman, where students present their physical work for review and networking opportunities.

💡Adobe Software

Adobe Software refers to creative tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign used by graphic designers for various design tasks. Lindsay mentions how incoming students may not need to be proficient in Adobe programs but learning them during the course will give students an advantage. She shares her personal experience of learning these tools in college, pulling an all-nighter for her Illustrator project.

💡Typography

Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and visually appealing. In the video, Lindsay talks about taking classes such as Typography I, where students learn how to handle type within design projects. Typography is a core skill for graphic designers as it affects how viewers interact with and interpret textual content.

💡Art History

Art history is the study of visual art over time, including its cultural, social, and political context. Lindsay discusses how taking art history courses at Chapman enhanced her understanding of design. These classes helped her gain contextual knowledge, enriching her ability to design with a broader perspective on the influences of different art movements.

💡Portfolio Review

A portfolio review is a formal critique where a professional assesses a designer’s portfolio and provides feedback. Lindsay describes the AIGA portfolio review process at Chapman, where professionals critique students' work in a 'speed-dating' format. This review is a valuable networking opportunity, and students often receive insights into improving their work for potential career growth.

💡Internship

An internship is a temporary job that provides practical experience in a professional field. Lindsay explains that although an internship is only required in the senior year at Chapman, many students start interning as sophomores or juniors. Internships provide real-world experience and help students build connections, which is crucial in the competitive design industry.

💡Classes

Classes refer to the structured learning sessions that form part of the graphic design curriculum. Lindsay outlines the various classes she took at Chapman, such as Book Arts, Typography, and Advanced Design. These courses are designed to provide students with a well-rounded education in both the creative and technical aspects of graphic design.

💡Illustration

Illustration in graphic design involves creating visual representations that accompany text or stand alone as pieces of art. Lindsay mentions that while being an illustrator isn’t necessary to succeed in graphic design, it is a valuable skill for those interested in more illustrative design work. She recommends exploring personal projects and freelancing to develop a distinctive illustration style.

💡Study Abroad

Study abroad refers to the opportunity for students to take classes in another country. Lindsay explains that graphic design majors at Chapman can study abroad if they plan carefully, as it could disrupt their required course timeline. She shares her own experience of taking a summer graphic design course in London as an alternative way to gain international experience.

Highlights

Chapman University is ranked as the number one graphic design school in California.

A portfolio is required for the application process, but it doesn't need to include digital work.

Variety in mediums, such as video, sculpture, and painting, is encouraged in portfolio submissions.

Knowledge of Adobe programs is not required upon entering, but having some experience offers an advantage.

Students take foundational physical art and introductory graphic design courses during their first two years.

Chapman's graphic design major includes classes such as book arts, hand lettering, typography, and web design.

Junior and senior years focus more on advanced design-specific courses such as advanced typography, advanced web design, and business practices for graphic designers.

Students participate in portfolio shows and have the opportunity to get their portfolios reviewed by industry professionals during a speed-dating-style critique.

Students can go abroad, but it requires careful planning to avoid disrupting the graphic design course sequence.

Chapman provides resources like free printing and access to computer labs equipped with Adobe software for students who don’t have personal devices.

There are various career paths available post-graduation, including becoming a freelance designer, motion designer, packaging designer, UX/UI designer, and art director.

Students are encouraged to network, as many internship opportunities come through alumni connections and the Chapman Facebook page.

The program encourages bonding with professors due to small class sizes and personalized support.

Using an iPad is not necessary, but it can be a helpful tool for illustration and other design work.

Students should focus on specific design paths that interest them, such as branding or illustration, and tailor their portfolios to reflect their strengths in those areas.

Transcripts

hey guys it's Lindsay and welcome back

or welcome to my channel if you are new

here I have a feeling some of you might

be because this is a very specific video

that I know a lot of potential students

will probably look up today I'm going to

be making a comprehensive cumin a little

video on my experience as a graphic

design major at Chapman University

because I actually graduated in a month

with my BFA in graphic design and I am

so excited to finally be done also

important this video is actually

sponsored by Chapman University which is

so incredible so thank you so much

shopman I have had a great four years

and thank you for sponsoring this video

I really appreciate it we got the iPad

here My Little Pony stickers on deck

since there is a lot to talk about I'm

going to kind of split this up into

sections and put the time stamps in the

description so you can skip around if

you didn't know Chapman is the number

one graphic design school in California

and I feel like not a lot of people know

that so hopefully I can help get the

word out about it first things first the

application process so if you didn't

know with most colleges you also have to

turn in a portfolio of your work any

artwork that you have that is like your

best work that shows that you're a

creative person you don't have to have

anything digital that is like not

expected of you but my tips are always

to choose pieces that really show

varieties so like you know use different

mediums in total across my ten pieces I

have like one video some charcoal

portraits some paintings I had a clay

teapot that I made so sculpture is

awesome just really show that you you

know are creative and you can express

that the two main questions I get when

it comes to the application process or

do you need to have knowledge of the

programs and do you need to be able to

draw well and when it comes to knowledge

of the programs my answer is no not at

all you do not need to but knowing them

already will put you out of it

advantage personally I didn't really

know any of the Adobe software programs

I knew a little bit of InDesign from

being on yearbook in high school but

other than that like it was very very

minimal so I did pretty much to learn

everything once I got into college as

far as having an art background I do

think it really helps at least liking to

create things is necessary but I don't

think you have to be a like realistic

illustrator to be a graphic designer

obviously being an illustrator helps in

terms of like if you want to do more

like illustrative graphic design and

things like that in the future but you

can always improve your illustration

skills and as far as the portfolio goes

you can do different mediums like

photography videography sculpting like

things that don't necessarily include

drawing if that isn't like your strong

suit and still be just as creative or

like you know artistic as other people

next thing I'm going to talk about our

classes because I get a lot of questions

about how like the actual like set up of

the classes go and at Chapman that

there's actually a four-year plan for

graphic design where you have set

classes that you're supposed to take

every single year the first and second

year you take a lot of physical art

classes and like introductory graphic

design classes so I took a book arts and

hem lettering which I loved that was

probably my favorite entire class I took

a Chapman objects in space which is like

a lot of cutting wood and 3d printing

and like thinking outside of the box

enjoyed graphic design where you learn

each of the Adobe programs through

different projects and you have like

four weeks per program to kind of like

learn them so like if you already had

knowledge it would just make that easier

whereas like I definitely pulled an

all-nighter during the Adobe Illustrator

project because I was just like you know

it was so new to me

typography one and web design one so

those are all first in second year

classes during this time you can also

take all your GES your language classes

you can even start your minor I just had

to wait for the train to pass by me just

jamming things then your third and

fourth year are all pretty much designed

focus classes so finishing the rest of

your design classes along with

jeez language that you have left

typically your miner may or may not be

done by then but yeah so all those

design classes I'm gonna say them right

now they're really long advanced type

advanced web intermediate design

advanced design business practices for

graphic designers and history of graphic

design so that's about it for graphic

design that you also have to take some

art history classes which I found that I

really loved like I really didn't know

anything about art history in high

school that then I've taken three

classes at college and I loved it also

graphic design classes are three hours

twice a week which makes it one of the

largest if not the largest major at

Chapman because of the hours most

classes typically like English classes

or other things you take will be like

three hours once a week or like

one-and-a-half hours twice a week but

graphic design classes are three hours

twice a week for the same amount of

credits as another class that is the way

less time so that's kind of all like the

boring class stuff but some other fun

things to know are that you have to

portfolio shows in your time at Chapman

so you get to make a full print

portfolio and show it in the art gallery

which is such a cool feeling like having

your printed pieces like to show your

family members your friends people can

come visit them and it's overall just

like such a great experience and then in

addition to having a portfolio show you

are sophomore and junior year you

actually have a something called the AIG

a portfolio review and that is where

your portfolio right here gets reviewed

by professionals and even like a speed

dating style and they kind of critique

and tell you what they like about your

work what they think you should change

about the way you're presenting it it's

definitely intimidating but overall it's

a great networking experience you could

totally get a job out of it if you

really click with someone and you know

you get a lot better at talking about

your work afterwards this is my last

year's portfolio I have to slime my new

pages in but I will totally make a video

and show you guys the inside of it if

you are interested now I'm going to

actually get to your most asked

questions that I

via instagram so thank you for sending

them is it a lot of work if it's not

obvious it's a lot of work um college is

a lot of work in general I feel like any

major that you choose will be a lot of

work it just involves a lot of hours of

like screen time working as well as like

physical hours like cutting printing

stuff out it's something you're

passionate about you're not gonna it

doesn't feel like a drag like I really

love it it Chapman provides a lot of

wonderful resources like free printing

with a really fancy printer is that none

of us can afford you can swipe in and

work in the labs whenever if you don't

have a macbook with all the programs you

can use the labs that are full of mac

computers having a lot of fronts and the

program also really helps the last far

as like you know emotional support goes

and like advice forming really good

bonds with your professors because they

do all really want to help you and

having small class sizes really helps

with that they really get to know your

style and like who you are as a designer

can you go abroad because like I said

there are like specific classes you have

to take every year going abroad for a

semester can like in theory mess that up

so you just have to plan in advance two

of my really great friends Genevieve and

Derek are graphic designers and they

went abroad and their schedules are

totally fun so if you just plan it in

advance to like take all your GES while

you're gone you will be totally fine you

just have to plan it like sophomore year

which I personally didn't do instead I

did a graphic design course in London

over the summer which is also a really

fun opportunity that they do offer so

would recommend another question I get a

lot is what kind of jobs can you expect

to get post-grad obviously you can

become a graphic designer

whether for yourself as a freelancer or

like an advertising agency for a design

agency you could become a motion

designer a packaging designer a UX UI

designer so like it's designing mobile

apps and things like that an

environmental designer an art director

for a company obviously you'd have to

like work your way up to that having

either a graphic design major or minor

could totally help you in a lot of

fields also a lot of questions about

like where

and internships is it hard to find

internships do you have to have an

internship and out Chapman you only have

to have an internship your senior year

but most people do them sophomore junior

and senior year which is what I did we

have a Facebook page where people post

about potential internships job openings

you know word-of-mouth friends friends

old internships when they like graduate

as well as just looking at job postings

online and different things like that

it's really fun having internships I've

learned so much from them that I hadn't

learned in class just from being around

like talented designers and then I also

definitely got the question of like do I

think it was worth it going to college

like do I feel like I'm ready to like go

out and be a graphic designer have I

like learned everything that I could

have learned without college different

things like that I did go to college so

obviously I'm glad that I went I don't

regret it whatsoever I think it has set

me up well to be a graphic designer or

like go into the real world as a

combination of like my classes the

internships I've taken and like all that

combined because that real-world

experience has really made a big

difference for me but the information

that I learned in my classes I think has

given me a really well-rounded

experience of like knowing a lot of

graphic design history knowing a lot of

art history knowing like illustration

history like I'll let the contextual

stuff about design like can really help

you as far as like not just knowing the

programs the tips that I have that maybe

I wish I knew or like learn too late

definitely befriend older majors and ask

for advice because I like I said you

learned so much from other graphic

designers like the way that they do

things like different shortcuts like

faster ways of doing things just like

efficiency wise programs get easier with

time in the beginning they definitely

stressed me out but like now I can like

Photoshop things with my eyes closed and

like I used to be really intimidated by

Photoshop and now I feel like I love all

the programs equally for everything that

they do and they all just mesh together

so well but in the beginning I was like

kind of intimidated another thing at

having an iPad is a great tool for

illustration for different things like

that but it is

not necessary like I think you will be

just as successful without one but I

wish I have one sooner because like

software year I totally could have

benefited from one of these and I see

like the freshmen that have iPads now

and like they are just like miles ahead

of where I was as a freshman and then

the last little tip is to find what you

like and kind of focus on that path

design-wise if you want to do that in

the future so like if you've discovered

that you really like illustration like

myself try and freelance more projects

or do more personal products that you

can put in your portfolio to show your

own personal style or like the things

that you really like doing because if an

employer sees that they might want you

to do things like that if that makes

sense like I think it's important to

have an open mind and like include a

variety of styles but you know if you

really like branding like show that you

really like branding I think that is

pretty much it for today's video I

actually need to go cut and prepare my

portfolio for my review so thank you so

much for watching I hope you guys

enjoyed this video if you have any more

additional questions or need more advice

or anything I will be happy to answer

them in the comments thank you so much

to Chapman University for sponsoring

this video that is one of the craziest

sentences I will ever say and I will see

you all with the new video very soon bye

guys