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Penn State College of Arts and Architecture
Penn State College of Arts and Architecture
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Verbal + visual

The Department of Graphic Design in the Stuckeman School focuses on the development of students’ skills and abilities in problem solving, and on expanding their expertise and proficiency in the use and application of digital technologies and electronic media. The curriculum anticipates an evolving context for professional practice through innovative problem-solving at different scales – from objects to systems – engaging with people-centered research and theory, ethical practices, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

With small class sizes, students enjoy individualized attention from faculty bringing extensive design experience in diverse settings. Design studies are blended with a range of liberal arts, communications, and business courses, thus ensuring graduates are ready for the next step.

The Stuckeman School offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Design degree in Graphic Design and a minor, as well as supporting a Master of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in graphic design in conjunction with the Penn State School of Visual Arts.

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    Students gathered around a table with sketches and a laptop open as the instructor points at concepts on the pages

    B.Des. in Graphic Design

    The B.Des. in Graphic Design empowers students to become innovators that meet the growing demand for branding, storytelling, visualizing information, user experience, and user interface designs.
    Undergraduate graphic design student work exhibition: showcasing a wall divider with big bold text, digital designs on flat-screen TVs, and poster design pinned up on a divider board.

    Graphic Design Minor

    The Graphic Design minor is intended for students interested in augmenting their academic major with the physical, technological, aesthetic, and conceptual skills associated with a design discipline.
    M.F.A. exhibition showing close up of a sculpture.

    M.F.A. in Art

    The Penn State M.F.A. in Art offers concentrations in ceramics, drawing and painting, graphic design, new media, photography, and sculpture – all to elevate your art and impact.

    Alumni Spotlight

    Brian Kappel

    Alumni Spotlight

    Brian Kappel

    B.A. in Art 1998

    Brian is a Portland, Oregon-based artist, graphic designer and a self-described “tinkerer.” After a more than 15-year career with Nike, he founded Space Monkey Designs, a firm that is responsible for numerous high-profile designs including VIP event space for ESPN, set design for the Dew Tour and the College Football Playoff suites.

    Illustration of robot in the jaws of a monster, by Brian Kappel
    Man looking at futuristic robotic insect. Work by Brian Kappel.
    Faceted illustration of woman and flowers by Brian Kappel.

    Our Facilities

    Galleries, Studios and Workshops
    See All Our Facilities
    Stacks of colorful design posters of major U.S. cities, hanging from the ceiling.
    Stacks of colorful design posters of major U.S. cities, hanging from the ceiling.

    DArt Design Studio

    The DArt Design Studio computer and peripheral labs are available 24 hours a day to the entire DArt community, and are primarily for student


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    Stacks of colorful design posters of major U.S. cities, hanging from the ceiling.

    Digital Fabrication Lab

    The Digital Fabrication Lab (digiFAB lab) is the home for digital fabrication equipment that is used for design and research projects by faculty and


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    Stacks of colorful design posters of major U.S. cities, hanging from the ceiling.

    Rouse Gallery

    Located in the main entryway of the Stuckeman Family Building, the Willard G. Rouse gallery houses special exhibits by leaders in the fields of


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    Stacks of colorful design posters of major U.S. cities, hanging from the ceiling.

    Stuckeman Shop

    The Stuckeman Shop – primarily supporting architecture, landscape architecture, and graphic design students – provides an excellent opportunity for motivated students to develop their ideas


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    News from A&A

    Graphic design professor’s project featured in Philadelphia design festival

    UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A collaborative research project led by Phil Choo, professor of graphic design in the College of Arts and Architecture’s Stuckeman School, that helps people visualize the


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    Stuckeman architecture professor awarded inaugural Obel teaching fellowship

    UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Laia Celma, assistant teaching professor of architecture in the College of Arts and Architecture’s Stuckeman School at Penn State, was named an inaugural recipient of the


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    Adaptive 3D concrete printing work earns Stuckeman collaborative research grant

    UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A research proposal by Benay Gürsoy, assistant professor of architecture, was awarded nearly $50,000 as the 2023-24 recipient of the Stuckeman School’s Collaborative Design Research Fund, which


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