The B.A. or B.F.A. in Media Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design focuses on specific design applications, such as advertising, typography, packaging, corporate identity, editorial design, and Web design. Students start with traditional foundations coursework including drawing, 2D design, and color theory. Further coursework focuses on the subject matter where industry standard software is used to deliver design solutions.

Graduates go on to careers in advertising, marketing, graphic design, and brand management. Jobs include art director, creative director, graphic designer, product designer, marketing manager, and multimedia artist.

Contact Information

Helena Vanhala 
Department Head
vanhala@rmu.edu
412-397-6202 phone
Wheatley Center 313

4-Year Course Plan (B.A.)

Freshman Year, Fall

• ARTM1010 Foundation Studio
• ARTM1020 2D Studio, and co-req ARTM0102 2D Studio Lab
• ARTM1830 History of Visual Comm
• Core 1: MATH
• Core 2: CSEN 1
• Freshman Seminar

Freshman Year, Spring

• ARTM1011 Concept Studio
• ARTM1021 3D Studio, and co-req ARTM0121 3D Studio Lab
• ARTM2020 Digital Imaging
• Core 3: CSEN 2
• Core 4

Sophomore Year, Fall

• ARTM1022 4D Studio, and co-req ARTM0122 4D Studio Lab
• ARTM2110 Intro to Graphic Design
• ARTM2115 Intro to Typography
• Core 5: CSCM 1
• Core 6

Sophomore Year, Spring

• ARTM2005 Intro to Photo
• or ARTM2410 Intro to Multi-Camera Studio, and co-req ARTM2410 Intro to Multi- Camera Studio Lab
• ARTM2120 Vector Graphics
• ARTM2210 Intro to Web Design
• Core 7: CSCM 2
• Core 8

Junior Year, Fall

• ARTM3110 Design Studio I
• Open Elective 1
• ARTM3140 Corporate Identity Design
• Open Elective 2
• Core 9 
• Core 10

Junior Year, Spring

• ARTM3120 Design Studio II
• ARTM3130 Production for the Designer
• ARTM3150 Advertising Design
• MARK2000 Principles of Marketing
• Open elective 3

Senior Year, Fall

• COMM4800 Media Management
  • or ARTM4903 Internship
• Open Elective 4
• Open Elective 5
• Open elective 6
• Core 11
• Core 12

Senior Year, Spring

• ARTM4090 Portfolio, and co-req ARTM0400 Professional Practices Lab
• COMM4800 Media Management
  • or ARTM4903 Internship
• Core 13
• Open Elective 7
• Open Elective 8

4-Year Course Plan (B.F.A)

Freshman Year, Fall

• ARTM1010 Foundation Studio
• ARTM1020 2D Studio & Lab
• ARTM1830 History of Visual Comm
• Core 1: MATH
• Core 2: CSEN 1
• Freshman Seminar

Freshman Year, Spring

• ARTM1011 Concept Studio
• ARTM1021 3D Studio & Lab
• ARTM2020 Digital Imaging
• ARTM1030 Survey of Art History
• Core 3: CSEN 2

Sophomore Year, Fall

• ARTM1022 4D Studio & Lab
• ARTM2110 Intro to Graphic Design
• ARTM2115 Intro to Typography
• Core 4: CSCM 1
• Core 5

Sophomore Year, Spring

• ARTM1023 Intro to Printmaking
• ARTM2120 Vector Graphics
• ARTM4110 Adv Typography
• Core 6: CSCM 2
• Core 7

Junior Year, Fall

• ARTM2005 Intro to Photo
• ARTM2210 Intro to Web Design
• ARTM3110 Design Studio I
• ARTM2010 Idea Development & Storyboarding
• Core 8
• Core 9

Junior Year, Spring

• ARTM3120 Design Studio II
• ARTM3130 Production for the Designer
• ARTM3140 Corporate Identity Design
• Core 10
• Core 11

Senior Year, Fall

• ARTM4010 Senior Studio
• ARTM2410 Intro to Multi-Camera Studio & Lab
• Media Arts Elective 1
• Core 12
• MARK2000 Principles of Marketing
• COMM4800 Media Management OR ARTM4903 Internship

Senior Year, Spring

• ARTM4090 Portfolio & ARTM0400 Professional Practices Lab
• ARTM3140 Advertising Design
• Core 13
• Media Arts Elective 2
• COMM4800 Media Management OR ARTM4903 Internship