Undergraduate
Graphic Design
From concept to creation, develop the skills to make an impact.
Graphic Design major and minor
Graphic design can influence the way we live, work, and play.
At Simpson, our Graphic Design program prepares you with the creative, technical, and strategic skills to turn ideas into impactful visual communication. You’ll build a strong foundation in design principles, develop creative problem-solving techniques, and gain experience with industry-standard Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Through portfolio-focused coursework, you’ll graduate with the skills and body of work to stand out in a competitive field.
Learning goes beyond the classroom. You’ll work closely with faculty who are invested in your success while gaining hands-on experience through real-world design projects, including creating promotional materials for campus events like the annual symposium. Every Graphic Design major completes an internship, providing valuable professional experience before graduation. You can also contribute to ID Magazine and The Simpsonian, exhibit your work in campus galleries, and connect with professional designers through visiting exhibitions and events.
Whether you plan to join a design agency, work as an in-house designer, freelance, or pursue graduate study, the Graphic Design program will help you build the confidence, experience, and portfolio to launch your creative career.
Why Simpson College for Graphic Design
Career Ready
Our graduates are prepared to launch successful careers and make an immediate impact in the workforce. Here are a few examples of where Simpson alumni are building their careers:
- Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines
- Jones Creek Outfitters
- DesignIQ
- Sammons Institutional Group
- Gannet Imaging & Ad Design Center
- Meyocks
- Excell Brands
- Agriland FS
- EAE Enterprise
- Image Market
- United Fleet
- Grand View University
What Will I Learn?
You’ll gain a strong foundation in design principles, typography, digital media, creative problem-solving, and visual communication while building proficiency with industry-standard Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Hands-on design projects for campus clients, a required internship, contributions to ID Magazine and The Simpsonian, and opportunities to exhibit your work will complement your coursework.
As a Graphic Design student at Simpson College, you’ll engage in a creative curriculum and practical experiences designed to prepare you for careers in graphic design, branding, advertising, digital media, and other creative industries.
Need assistance? Contact us!
- justin.nostrala@simpson.edu
- 515-494-3281
- Howard Street Studios
- Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Meet Our Faculty
Justin Nostrala
- Department Chair of Multimedia Communication, Graphic Design, and Speech and Debate
- Professor of Graphic Design
