We teach motion, interaction, UX and UI design, design using augmented reality AI and machine learning, product design, packaging, typography, design systems, traditional illustration, drawing, and digital illustration. Designers and illustrators understand the objects and interactions we create are part of larger systems and that we have responsibilities as message-makers. We lead with research and data to make informed solutions.
The School of Visual Art and Design celebrates its centennial in 2025. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) we are preparing the next generation of skilled, applied artists and designers. The GD+I curriculum brings together analog and digital studio practices with a focus on ideation, process, collaboration, experiential learning, professional presentation, and leadership.
Our students win awards and our alumni are in high places. IBM, Nike, Reebok, Google, Lyft, Bumble, Humana, Paper Source, The Florida Marlins, Aeropostale, RIGGS partners, ByFarr Design Studio, The Half and Half, Stitch, The Charlotte Hornets, Auburn University Athletics, University of South Carolina Football, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and The South Carolina Lottery have all hired our program alum. Our design + illustration students consistently compete on the national stage winning awards from top tier organizations such as the American Advertising Federation and exhibiting at universities across the nation.
Our capstone experience ensures students graduate prepared for their design career with professionally reviewed portfolios and practical, applied experience. Prior to the capstone, students gain experience working in the industry through internships, our McCausland Innovation Grant funded design studio, and garnet and black magazine to name just a few opportunities. Our student-run, faculty led design studio and internship programs give students real industry skills that put them out in front. With faculty who are award-winning and internationally recognized, a curriculum that supports hands-on industry knowledge and gets to the business of design and illustration practice through experiential learning, GD+I students are set up for their career to engage, explore, and achieve.
The Graphic Design + Illustration BFA concentration requires a portfolio review for 300-level classes and above. Students apply and once admitted they take a tiered series of courses including product and packaging design, interaction design, motion design, traditional and digital illustration. There is no application required to minor.
The GD+I Portfolio Review takes place the last week of April every spring semester. Students submit their digital portfolio and statement of intent after successfully completing ARTS 102 (for early admission) and/or ARTS 246. Approximately twenty students are accepted to each cohort. These cohorts go on to form strong relationships in their classes. For questions or information about the application process contact any GD+I faculty. For information on advising contact Brittany Sparks or Della Bryant.
Something good is always happening here. Follow us on Instagram to stay in the loop. Between our visiting speaker series, our University of South Carolina GD+I Club, Study Abroad opportunities, and interdisciplinary projects across the School of Visual Art + Design, the College of Arts + Sciences, and the University at large, our students have their pick of ways to engage with professionals and peers, practice and hone their craft as emerging creatives.
Renowned visitors to our program include Aaron Draplin, Kate Bingaman-Burt, Stefan Sagmeister, Michael Beirut, James Victore, Chip Kidd, Stitch, Kelly Walters, Gil Shuler, Blue Ion, Jay Fletcher, Noah Scalin, Leo Espinosa, Chris Belheimer, Trollback+Co., House Industries, Brad Vetter, Adrienne Miller, Dana Sherwood, Mark Dion, and Seymour Chwast, and many more.
Learn about the experience of our 300+ level courses.
A faculty-led student-run digital and print design agency providing experiential learning opportunities, fostering beyond the classroom engagement, and bringing community visibility to the work of students who develop solutions for real clients in our community. 2023 clients include The Anita Hill Party, USC Theatre + Dance, USC Law Enforcement, and local restaurant Lula Drake.
This class leads junior-level design students on client-driven projects for real users. Clients have included USC Women’s Soccer and The USC First Year Reading Experience (FYRE). For the last 20 years our design and illustration students have been found solutions for translating textual information to a visual poster and corresponding book cover. FYRE is a competition with a winner who works directly with the publisher for their design to be reproducted in mass in multiple formats.
UX/UI and interaction screen-based design course that establishes fundamental design research strategies, ethical and accessible design practices, prototyping skill refinement, environmental design considerations, screen and print hybrid solutions that incorporate augmented reality. Discussions and visits with national industry professionals and local agencies.
Explore self-driven content and further develop illustration style in this course that combines hand-drawn and digitally layered images to widen artistic depth within each student’s portfolio. Images for screen and print are explored. Projects developed include animations, posters, and comics. Collaborations with local businesses are incorporated into this course to create experiential learning opportunities. Clients include local businesses Curiosity Coffee Bar, Il Focolare Pizza, and Transmission Arcade.
A praxis-fueled course that develops engaging, process-driven results that require iterative solutions and deliverables, indicative of working-world expectations. Designers are encouraged to highlight their unique strengths within each design solution. This course provides ample opportunity to refine the pitch and present work to professional creatives for feedback. This course is a 2024 McCausland Innovation Fund Grant Awardee for machine learning and artificial intelligence programming.
Research current topics that are affecting culture and investigate existing brands on the market today. Observe and critically examine brand strengths and weaknesses and learn how to position and strategize brands in today’s marketplace.
Time-based motion design course that challenges designers and illustrators to think critically about the narratives they develop and explore visually engaging ways to convey them. Past clients include USC Women’s Soccer.
The capstone celebration culminates in this course that brings together the business and finance of design, portfolio building, field vists, and job hunting with a final hoo-rah: a public Portfolio Day event hosted within the modern architecture of the Richland Library.
Our students are winning awards, exhibiting and competing on the national stage. Among various national student competitions throughout the year, here are just a few notable organizations that have recently awarded GD+I students:
There are financial resources for students! Students have opportunities to apply for grants and scholarships throughout the year through the Office of Undergraduate Research. GD+I students have a history of winning Magellan Scholars grants of $2,500 and more.
Award-winning students and design sample
Every year The School of Visual Art + Design recognizes students who have gone above and beyond in their practice. Our Undergraduate Awards Day is a moment to celebrate them. Students receive a certificate and some receive monetary awards. One exemplary alumni is also recognized each year.
Gracey Dorn, 2021
Kylie Wilkins, 2022
Jahnna Blyden, 2022
Mitchell Zarkis, 2022
Liam Owen, 2023
Fabiana Echeverri, 2023
Sam Spina, 2021, Cartoon Network Regular Show, HBO Max series Close Enough
Maria Fabrizio, 2019, author “Cultivating Creativity” (Simon & Schuster), featured
in Fast Company, Netflix, NPR.
Designers and illustrators from our program go on to exciting careers! Here are just a few of our alumni.
UX Designer, IBM
Visual Designer, ValTech global business transformation company
Graphic Designer, South Carolina Education Lottery
Senior Designer, Ologie
Visual designer and illustrator specializing in conceptual imagery and visual storytelling with emphasis on ADA compliance.
Experience Designer, Google
Writer and educator, GFDA, The Art of Risk-Taking
Professor Valdes' design and illustration has been recognized by The World Illustration Awards, Graphic Design USA, HOW, Print, Communication Arts, Creative Quarterly, American Illustration, AIGA, and he is a recipient of the National SECAC Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement in Graphic Design.
Professor Nace has been recognized internationally with awards from PRINT, AIGA, UCDA and PICA. She has work in the permanent collection at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, CA.
An International Design Awards Gold Medalist, Professor Khalili was named a Global Top 30 Design Lecturer and is a recipient of the National SECAC Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement in Graphic Design. She is a practitioner and professor of design and interaction who makes daily drawings of things.
Professor Dedas was included in the Art/NaturSci Pavilion: Equilibrium exhibition at the 2019 Venice Biennale. He maintains an extensive exhibition record in galleries and museums across the U.S. and internationally.
Catherine Chi explores a wide range of media including 3d animation, interactive art, game art, drawings, paintings, and video installations.
