Bachelor of Design - Interactive And Graphic Design Major

The department of Art & Design at Millersville University offers a new degree, a Bachelor of Design (B.Des.), and a new major in Interactive and Graphic Design. This degree and major aim to provide students credentials that more accurately reflect their educational experiences as they have evolved in our existing interactive and graphic design curriculum. Ultimately the new degree will more clearly communicate to employers, what is offered within the program and what professional skills are being acquired by our graduates. 

The new identity of our Interactive and Graphic Design curriculum with the B.DES. degree clearly identifies the program with 21st century design education. The courses being offered at Millersville University include experience design, kinetic design, web design, basic coding, interactive design, and traditional graphic design. The B.Des. better reflects pervasive academic research interests, professional field demands, and the recommendation standards from both the American Institute of Graphic Artists (the professional organization for design) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD, the accrediting body for Art and Design). Furthermore, it provides a structural reinforcement of current University and PASSHE goals. 

The B.Des. degree has become prevalent around the globe over the last several years, and American colleges and universities are beginning to use the designation to more accurately reflect the learning content and subsequent skills of graduates. NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design) approves and recognizes this degree and will evaluate the program under this new title as a “professional degree.” With the proposed course structure, this program meets the “professional degree” standards of rigor and content for the B.Des. degree as articulated in the curricular guidelines of our accrediting agency.

Interactive & Graphic Design as a discipline has radically changed and has opened up more opportunities for students to learn and design with new technology. By keeping current with technological demands placed on the discipline, graduates with these skills will support an educated workforce that is prepared to contribute to Pennsylvania’s economic vitality and supporting the ability for the commonwealth to compete globally.