Graphic Design Programs
Graphic Design Associate in Applied Science (AAS)*
Graphic Design Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (BFA)
Graphic Design Certificate Program
*Effective Fall 2025, only offered by Berkeley College New York on the NYC campus and online.
Be creative
Put your talents to work in an exciting career.
Imagine designing the logo for a brand that will be known around the world. Or creating the cover design for the next number one album or book. Or developing the look of an app that will be used by a billion people. And the list goes on. What do they have in common? All of these projects are done by graphic designers.
Design is more than aesthetics—it's a process.
Great design isn’t just about making things look good—it’s about turning ideas and research into thoughtful, effective design solutions. Behind every logo, website, or marketing campaign is a process of ideation, experimentation, and refinement. At Berkeley College, you’ll learn how to approach design strategically—balancing creativity with problem-solving to create work that not only looks great but also communicates, engages, and delivers results.
Your creative journey starts here!
Exciting opportunities await at Berkeley College! In addition to our BFA, we now offer an Associate’s degree (AAS) in Graphic Design at our New York City campus. You can start with an AAS, then seamlessly transfer your credits to the BFA program—giving you more flexibility, more career options, and greater earning potential.
Practical programs that focus on your potential, not just your portfolio or past performance.
Your future success as a graphic designer doesn’t necessarily depend on your test scores or high school art portfolio. We look for students with the desire and the drive to put their passion to work. We also emphasize real-world career skills that can help you stand out in the professional world.
Flexibility to fit your life:
You can study on campus, online, or through a blend of both to balance an excellent education with even the busiest schedule.
Traditional artistic skills combined with today’s technology
You’ll learn a broad range of skills in our specialized design studios, which feature the current hardware and software used by top professionals. And you’ll learn from professors with extensive experience in many different areas of design. The curriculum will expose you to traditional, digital, and emerging media.
Skills you’ll learn:
- Brand identity development
- Packaging design
- User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design
- Motion graphics and animation
- Digital photography and image editing
- Illustration and concept art
- Publication design and typography
- Web and interactive media design
- 3D and game-related design
Career paths you can pursue:
- Brand designer
- UI/UX designer
- Motion graphics artist
- Packaging designer
- Digital illustrator
- Art director
- Web and interactive designer
- Publication designer
- And more
Here’s what sets the Berkeley Graphic Design program apart:
- You’ll learn in small classes with personal attention from instructors with real-world design experience
- You’ll have access to current technology used by design professionals
- An emphasis on critical thinking and creative problem solving
- You’ll have opportunities for field trips, guest lectures, and other design-related events
- You may have the opportunity to participate in an internship or job-related assignment for a valuable learning experience
- You’ll have exceptional networking opportunities through faculty and alumni connections
Career Opportunities
The Graphic Design program at Berkeley College is both innovative to give you more career options…and thorough to help you stand out in the job market.
Along with the history of graphic design and a strong foundation in art and design principles, the curriculum exposes students to the problem-solving process using a broad range of traditional, digital, and emerging media. Critical thinking, conceptual problem solving, and creativity are emphasized as students learn about:
- Brand design
- UI/UX design
- Motion graphics
- Packaging design
- Digital illustration
- Web and interactive design
- Publication design
- 3D and game-related design
- And more
Catalog
Graphic Design Programs
You’ll find additional information in our Catalog, including the different degrees offered, descriptions of the courses you’ll take, the department faculty, and much more. You can always live chat or contact us with questions.
Information about the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Graphic Design will be available in the 2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog upon publication.
For details, please refer to the following resources:
- Graphic Design (AAS)
Faculty
Julia Hutchinson
Chair, Graphic Design
Professor Hutchinson earned a BFA in Creative Arts and Technology from Bloomfield College and an MS in Education Media Design and Technology from Full Sail University.
Benjamin Hoyng
Professor, Graphic Design
Professor Hoyng is an artist and designer with years of teaching experience in graphic design, fine arts, art history, and museum studies.
Student Gallery
The Graphic Design program at Berkeley College enables our students to become asset creators, designers, entrepreneurs, and art directors. Our focus is keeping current with design trends and technologies that enable the highest potential for our student success. Our curriculum is designed to create problem solvers and digital designers utilizing animation, coding for the web, digital filmmaking, digital photography, game development, 3D modeling, multimedia, print design, package design, and UI/UX design. The work in this online gallery highlights some of our student work that has been shown at the Woodland Park Gallery.
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Designed by
Graphic Design Student Gallery Exhibit
Game Design Student Gallery Exhibit
Locations Offered
The Graphic Design Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program (BFA) is offered by Berkeley College New Jersey and Berkeley College New York. The Graphic Design Associate in Applied Science degree program (AAS) is offered by Berkeley College New York. The Graphic Design BFA courses are offered at the Woodland Park, NJ campus (Fall start only) and Online (Fall and Winter start only) as identified in the Course Schedule for each semester. Beginning in Fall 2025, the Graphic Design AAS and BFA program courses will also be offered at the New York City campus (Fall and Winter start only) as identified in the Course Schedule for each semester.
Frequently Asked Questions: Graphic Design
Graphic design is the art or profession of visual communication that combines images, words, and ideas to convey information to an audience, especially to produce a specific effect.
The College considers students for admission to degree and certificate programs on the basis of future potential, the motivation and interest to succeed in a chosen profession, and past academic achievement.
Graduation from high school or the equivalent is a basic requirement for admission to degree and certificate programs. In evaluating candidates, the Committee on Admissions takes into consideration your individual interests, your motivation to succeed in a chosen profession, and prior academic achievement. Basic requirements for admission include graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent and an entrance exam or SAT/ACT scores. Applicants to some programs offered within the School of Health Studies may have additional requirements, including successful completion of the HESI® Admission Assessment (A2) with Critical Thinking entrance examination. Documentation of successful completion of high school or the equivalent must be submitted to the College prior to starting classes.
A personal interview is strongly recommended. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Director of Admissions at the campus of their choice to arrange for an appointment with an Admissions Associate. For further information, students may also call the College at 866-317-6087 or email info@BerkeleyCollege.edu.
No prior experience or portfolio is required. Just bring curiosity, dedication, and a passion for design.
Berkeley maintains a rolling admissions policy, so students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applicants will be notified of a decision as soon as all credentials have been evaluated. Certain programs may have specific application deadline requirements.
For further questions about the enrollment process, schedule an appointment with an associate.
Graphic design skills are used across nearly every industry—from healthcare and education to fashion and entertainment. Designers create branding systems, digital interfaces, publications, product packaging, social content, and more. These skills are essential in helping organizations communicate visually, solve problems, and engage their audiences effectively.
At Berkeley College, you’ll learn by doing. Through hands-on projects, industry-relevant software, and one-on-one feedback, you'll build the skills and portfolio needed to enter today’s creative careers. You may also gain real-world experience through internships and opportunities to exhibit your work.
The Graphic Design curriculum helps students build a strong foundation in art and design principles while developing the technical and conceptual skills needed in today’s creative industries. Students learn to approach design as a problem-solving process using traditional, digital, and emerging media.
You’ll gain experience in:
- Brand identity and visual systems
- Packaging design
- UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) design
- Motion graphics and animation
- Digital photography and image editing
- Illustration and concept art
- Typography and publication design
- Web and interactive media
- 3D and game-related design
No, advanced drawing skills are not required. However, the ability to sketch ideas quickly is useful for brainstorming and communicating design concepts.
The Graphic Design Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program (BFA) is offered by Berkeley College New Jersey and Berkeley College New York. The Graphic Design Associate in Applied Science degree program (AAS) is offered by Berkeley College New York. The Graphic Design BFA courses are offered at the Woodland Park, NJ campus (Fall start only) and Online (Fall and Winter start only) as identified in the Course Schedule for each semester. Beginning in Fall 2025, the Graphic Design AAS and BFA program courses will also be offered at the New York City campus (Fall and Winter start only) as identified in the Course Schedule for each semester.
Yes. Students connect with the design community through internships, portfolio reviews, exhibitions, and guest speaker events. Faculty and Career Services help students explore career paths, prepare for interviews, and build professional networks.
Before graduating, students complete a portfolio and capstone project. Student work is exhibited not only in the Gallery at Woodland Park, but also across other Berkeley College campuses throughout the year.
Graduates of the Graphic Design program pursue a range of creative roles across industries. Career paths vary depending on your skills, interests, and experience. Common roles include:
- Graphic Designer
- Brand Identity Designer
- UI/UX Designer
- Packaging Designer
- Motion Graphics Designer
- Publication or Layout Designer
- Web Designer
- Prepress or Print Production Specialist
- Junior Art Director
Some graduates also work as freelancers or in-house designers, while others continue to develop their portfolio or pursue advanced study.
Yes. The learning outcomes for the students in the online programs are the same as for those in the on-site program.
Graphic Design classes typically range from 15 to 18 students in the first year, with smaller groups in advanced courses. This allows for meaningful critiques, individualized feedback, and close mentorship—an essential part of learning in a creative, project-based environment.
Online Graphic Design courses are rigorous and project-driven. Students should be proactive, self-motivated, and comfortable managing their time independently. Most projects require significant work outside of the virtual classroom.
Regular communication with faculty—through messaging, video meetings, and discussion boards—is essential to stay on track, receive feedback, and grow creatively. Students are expected to engage actively in the course and take ownership of their learning.
Students who choose to use a personal computer should have a Mac (industry preferred) or PC that meets the current system requirements for Adobe Creative Cloud and any additional software used in their courses. We recommend checking Adobe’s website for the most up-to-date specifications.
Online students also have access to design software through Apporto, a virtual desktop environment that mirrors the tools used in onsite.
Note: Chromebooks, iPads, and other tablet devices are not compatible with the program.
Students have access to Adobe Creative Cloud through their Berkeley College account. If a student prefers to purchase their own license, Adobe offers a discounted student plan, available at: https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/buy/students.html.
Additional programs such as Autodesk Maya and Unity 3D are free for student use.
Testimonials
Vanessa Guzman
Berkeley College Alumna
“While attending Berkeley College, I designed a life I love. I cannot start or finish my adult life story without mentioning Berkeley. I am forever grateful for my experience.”
Jonathan Moran
Berkeley College Alumnus
“The Berkeley Graphic Design program is great. The classes connect to each other. What you learn in one course helps prepare you for the next course. Sometimes, I didn’t even realize how much I was learning. In small classes, we’re able to get close with professors. And they’re always available when we have questions.”
Isaac Salazar
Berkeley College Alumnus - Honors Program
“At Berkeley, it felt like there was much more of a community. It was always very welcoming. The program actually emphasizes the real-world workforce environment. They teach you step-by-step everything you need to know to get out there and do your best in the workforce. To me, Berkeley College is progress, in every sense of the word. It’s always about what do you need to do to move forward. Let’s get you there.”
