student layouts out a design on the computer

Visual Storytellers Wanted

The demand for creative professionals is high. Fuel your creative vision and master the principles of design.

Major (BFA)
Division of Communication & Creative Media 
On-Campus Employment Opportunities
Internships
Study Abroad
Admissions 
Optional Portfolio Submission 
Current Students College Catalog 
Related Majors 

Design Skills That Employers Pay For: The BFA Advantage

In today’s digital world, every company needs designers who can create compelling visuals that drive business results.

When you pursue your Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) at Champlain, you’ll start building real design projects your first semester and graduate with work that’s been reviewed by top industry professionals—giving you the portfolio and skills employers are actively searching for.

  • Champlain’s BFA in Graphic Design & Visual Communication trains you to become a thoughtful designer who understands typography, color, composition, images, and motion. You’ll learn every step of design—from research and coming up with ideas to creating models and improving them. You’ll also learn to make designs that work across different media and platforms.

    A BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) is a professional degree—meaning it directly prepares you for a specific career path.

    A B.F.A focuses on fine arts and creative aspects of graphic design. It emphasizes hands-on studio work and developing artistic skills. This degree typically includes more theory and studio coursework designed to prepare you for actual work in the creative field. A BFA is a good choice if you plan to pursue a Master of Fine Arts later or want a career as a professional artist or designer. It’s ideal for students who mainly want to develop their creative and artistic abilities for real-world application.

  • At Champlain, you’ll start creating real design projects in your first semester—not waiting years to touch professional tools like at most colleges. You’ll get career-building experiences that set you apart:

    • Work on actual client projects through our Creative Studio Experience
    • Build a professional portfolio that showcases your unique style
    • Get your work critiqued by designers from top design firms before graduation
    • Learn from faculty who have worked for major brands and agencies

    Our program is officially accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)—a credential that employers recognize and respect.

  • When choosing between a BFA or a BA in Graphic Design, think of it like choosing between becoming a specialist or a well-rounded player. Champlain’s BFA in Graphic Design & Visual Communication requires 15 more art classes than the BA, giving you more studio experience and a deeper dive into the fine arts of graphic design—perfect if you want to be a professional designer or work at a creative agency where you need to be a design master.

    Champlain’s BA in Graphic Design teaches you graphic design but allows room in your schedule for other classes like business, marketing, or psychology, making you more well-rounded and flexible.

    Both BFA and BA lead to great careers—it just depends if you want to specialize heavily in art and design, or if you want to combine design skills with other interests for broader career options.

  • By the time you graduate, you will…

    • Create powerful brand identities – Design logos, colors, and typography systems that build business value
    • Master industry-standard software – Become proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud tools that employers require
    • Design for print and digital – Develop skills across multiple platforms from packaging to websites
    • Build compelling visual stories – Combine images and text to communicate messages that connect
    • Present your work professionally – Learn to explain your design choices and sell your ideas to clients
graphic design student measures a poster they made in class

Different by Design

START BUILDING YOUR PORTFOLIO DAY ONE

Thanks to our Upside Down Curriculum, you’ll take design courses in your first semester and start creating portfolio-worthy work immediately—building a stronger portfolio than students at other colleges.

NATIONALLY ACCREDITED

The program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). And it’s designed to prepare students for creative strategy and campaign development, animation and entertainment, or traditional design work.

PROFESSIONAL STUDIO EXPERIENCE

Through our Creative Studio Experience, you’ll collaborate in a professional studio environment on team projects—creating marketing materials, packaging, and digital assets that simulate real-world design challenges and build your teamwork skills.

INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL REVIEW

Before graduation, a panel of designers from top design firms will review your portfolio and provide feedback—giving you professional connections and ensuring your work meets industry standards.

96%

of Graphic Design & Visual Communication majors in the Class of 2023 achieved career success within six months after graduation. That’s success you can see.

$61,300

The median annual salary of graphic design professionals according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Sample Courses for the BFA in Graphic Design & Visual Communication

Our career-focused curriculum builds your design skills from day one with courses that prepare you for today’s competitive job market:

Career Possibilities

What jobs can I get with a Graphic Design & Visual Communication BFA?

Our BFA program prepares you for in-demand roles such as:

  • Brand Designer
  • Book and Publication Designer
  • Exhibit Designer
  • Motion Graphics Artist
  • Packaging Designer
  • Web Designer
All the design professors I’ve had are amazing! They love talking after class, they’ll help you make connections, and they’ll give you valuable critique to make you better at what you do.”
Gabriel Fajobi
Gabriel Fajobi, Graphic Design & Visual Communication ’21

Graphic Design & Visual Communication Admission

As an applicant to the Graphic Design & Visual Communication major, you have the option to submit a portfolio that includes 5 or more artistic pieces or images, and an art narrative.

More Inside Graphic Design & Visual Communication BFA