The undergraduate graphic design program at the University of Minnesota teaches theoretical and applied aspects of design, including design methods, design theory, and creative problem solving, as well as visual and verbal literacy. The emphasis is on visual communication and perception: how humans communicate, perceive, interpret, and understand visual information. The program prepares students for graphic design positions in print and electronic media serving business, industry, and culture.
At the graduate level, there are two emphasis areas: design communication and interactive design.
Students may pursue master and doctorate degrees in the design communication emphasis. The focus of graduate work may include design theory, process, and methods related to design practice and research. Potential areas of study include multicultural communication, visual representation of information, human interaction with designed objects, social and cultural implications of design, color systems and perception, design history, and design education.
The graduate emphasis in interactive design leads to a Master of Fine Arts degree, and will provide students with experiences in designing for the electronic environment. While the program integrates theory with practice in the application of emerging technologies and software to digital design solutions, it also considers the wider definition of interaction to include objects, spaces, and systems.