Graphic and Interactive Design Degrees

Great design doesn’t just look good — it makes people feel, think, act. That’s impact.

Why Design Matters 

Across print, digital, and interactive platforms, design grabs attention — and holds it — to convey key messages. When design works, it informs, entertains, and drives meaningful action in the world.

Explore Degree Options

BFA in Graphic and Interactive Design

Tyler’s BFA in graphic and interactive design is STEM designated and teaches you both core design principles and the latest tools and strategies — no matter the focus of your chosen design career.  

  • Typography 

  • Color theory 

  • Composition and layout 

  • Illustration 

  • 3D design 

  • User experience / User interface (UX/UI) design 

  • Motion design 

  • Augmented reality (AR) 

  • Artificial intelligence (AI), including uses and ethics 

  • Multimedia storytelling

In addition to gaining graphic and interactive design skills using all the latest software and tools, you graduate with broader, transferable skills that help you succeed professionally. Students don’t just “learn software” but build fluency in tools and thinking. You will learn:  

  • How to be flexible and adapt to changing needs and the latest tech 

  • How to think conceptually and critically  

  • How to make research-based decisions 

  • How to receive and give effective feedback  

  • How to apply your creativity for a wide range of media,  

  • How to be a professional and collaborative creative 

Tyler teaches you all this to prepare you for your career in graphic and interactive design or to be accepted into a top-tier graduate degree program. 

Learn More

Minor in Graphic and Interactive Design  

Adding attention-getting bonus skills for a wide range of majors, Tyler’s minor in graphic and interactive design bolsters your visual communication skills for any career. It’s especially popular with students majoring in business, communications, art history or the fine arts.  

In addition to thinking like a designer, you learn visual storytelling, digital literacy and design principles. All things you need — and employers expect — in our hyper-visual, tech-focused world. 

See Requirements

Creative Entrepreneurship

The Tyler School of Art and Architecture and the Fox School of Business Management collaborate to offer this undergraduate certificate in Creative Entrepreneurship for artists and other creatives who want to add business skills too.  

Learn More

A tyler design graduate student working inside a graduate studio space.

MFA in Graphic and Interactive Design

Learn more about furthering your education with Tyler's graduate program in Graphic and Interactive Design.

MFA in Graphic and Interactive Design

How Tyler Is Different 

Successful design helps you to inspire and communicate in ways that resonate and connect people to each other and to important information, ideas and stories.

 

Work Like a Pro from Day 1 

Such a dynamic field requires broader knowledge and skills. That’s why all 3 majors in the Design and Illustration Department at Tyler share many of the same required and elective classes.  

 

Two students are talking and smiling in a hallway, standing still and engaged in conversation. Their relaxed body language and friendly expressions suggest an easygoing, enjoyable exchange.

This collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach sets our students apart. We believe it’s critical for your education to mirror what you’ll experience in your career. At Tyler, you don’t just earn a degree — you start working like a creative professional from day one.  

Top employers and potential clients notice.  

Your graphic and interactive design degree gives you tons of flexibility to build your skills and find new ones. There’s no need to choose one strict degree path. You really can explore different avenues and combinations based on your interests and curiosity.  

We want you to feel empowered to shape your own creative experience.

Get Answers and Help

The Tyler School of Art and Architecture features its own admissions team, who can provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for your educational and career goals. 

laptop icon

Digital Tool Requirements

Tyler requires user experience and user interface design students to buy and use specific laptops that best run the latest software and better adapt to the ever-changing professional environment.  

Learn More

Design Careers 

Careers in graphic design or interactive design exist in nearly any industry, not only seemingly creative ones.  

Healthcare organizations need effective design for patient education. Start-ups need everything from logos and branding to official pitches to potential funders. Retailers of all kinds need store signage and continuous sales promos, along with omnichannel marketing across existing and new social media platforms. Nonprofits and advocacy organizations need to raise money and awareness. Even political campaigns need logos, signs, digital and print materials.  

Design is everywhere, so our grads hold a variety of job titles.

Brand Identity Designer

Develop logos, typography and brand systems that define a company’s visual identity. 

Packaging Designer

Create eye-catching and functional product packaging that enhances brand recognition.

Motion Designer

Design animated graphics for video, advertising and digital platforms.

Environmental Graphic Designer

Design large-scale graphics, signage and wayfinding systems for physical spaces. 

Exhibition Designer

Develop immersive visual experiences for museums, trade shows and retail spaces. 

Social Media Designer

Create visually compelling content and motion assets for brands on social platforms.

Interactive Designer

Build dynamic and engaging digital experiences, from websites to installations. 

Editorial + Print Designer

Design books, magazines and digital publications with strong visual storytelling. 

Type Designer

Create custom typefaces, lettering and font systems for branding and digital platforms.

Infographic + Data Visualization Designer

Transform complex information into clear, engaging visual stories.

Design Strategist

Combine design thinking with business strategy to drive brand and user experience solutions. 

icon of a bulletin flyer

Career Support

Career preparation is embedded into your experience as a Design and Illustration student. 

Learn More

Annual Design Events 

Each year, Tyler hosts two events in the spring semester.

Create is the Design and Illustration Department’s student portfolio review. This event highlights the graduating class of students’ work and connects them with creative professionals to help them become more comfortable presenting their work.  

In addition, Connect is our networking event where we celebrate our graduating seniors and network with students, alumni, faculty and friends of the program.

a crowd of people gathered for the Connect

Design Internships

Tyler’s faculty members strongly encourage you to build professional skills and gain work experience through internships.

Through workshops and our vast network of alumni and professional connections, your faculty-mentors help you find and prep for internships too. Your future classmates have completed internships at places like these.

  • Bluecadet 
  • Pixar 
  • Chronicle Books 
  • 160over90 
  • Power Home Remodeling 
  • Smithsonian Institution 
  • Temple University 
  • American Foundation for the Blind 
  • LUV Superfoods 
  • Iris Creative

Alumni and Student Voices 

Hear from our alumni and current students what they love about Tyler, what they learned, how they grew professionally, and why they remain thankful for the opportunity to study here.

Student Work

Get a glimpse at the creative minds of your future classmates. This gallery of their work shows the breadth of what’s possible.

Eclipse by Andrew Rosso

Eclipse by Andrew Rosso

BFA Graphic and Interactive Design '25 Student

Synth Fest by Talia Valenti

Synth Fest by Talia Valenti

BFA Graphic and Interactive Design '25 Student

Recess by Sasha Pogosian

Recess by Sasha Pogosian

BFA Graphic and Interactive Design '25 Student

Sensational Cocktail Co. branding on soda cans

Sensational Cocktail Co. by Xia Osorio

BFA Graphic and Interactive Design '25 Student

Metamorphasis by Cameron Specht

Metamorphasis by Cameron Specht

BFA Graphic and Interactive Design '25 Student

Wormhole by Andrew Rosso

Wormhole by Andrew Rosso

BFA Graphic and Interactive Design '25 Student

Rixus by Shana Blinkoff

Rixus by Shana Blinkoff

BFA Graphic and Interactive Design '23 Student

Meet the Faculty

Tyler attracts creative leaders and change-makers to support your generation, including those who want one-of-a-kind careers that combine skills from different disciplines within the Design and Illustration Department.  

Meet Professors

Program Contacts

In addition to Tyler’s specialized admissions team, you’re welcome to contact these graphic and interactive design program leaders.

  • Abby Guido smiles at the camera, looking relaxed and confident.

    Abby Guido

    Associate Professor and Chair of Design and Illustration

    Abby Guido is a communication designer, educator, and academic leader whose research focuses on collaboration, leadership, and the evolving role of the designer in education and practice. She investigates how human-centered design principles and…

    Email Abby

  • Kelly Holohan smiling at the camera.

    Kelly Holohan

    Program Head of Design and Illustration, Director of Graduate Studies and Professor

    Kelly Holohan is a designer activist whose creative research focuses on issues surrounding the LGBTQ+ community, women’s rights, health and wellness and environmental protection. She is co-creator of We the Women, an initiative designed to raise…

    Email Kelly