B.F.A. Graphic Design & Interactive Media

Bring content to life through a career in print and web design.
Degree Type Bachelor of Fine Arts
Careers & Salaries Career Outcomes
Delivery On Campus

Develop the principles, practices and portfolio to engage audiences through visual solutions in any medium—from branding systems, advertising, packaging and publications to websites, mobile apps and UX.

UW-Stout's Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Graphic Design & Interactive Media offers a progressive curriculum and hands-on learning experiences in a vibrant creative culture to prepare you for a career as a graphic designer in print design and interactive media industry. You’ll study with faculty who are practicing designers with diverse experiences and high standards. Our graduates have a high employment rate and outstanding support from alumni.

UW-Stout's Game Design & Interactive Media program is NASAD accredited.

UW-Stout's School of Art & Design is accredited by the National Association for Schools of Art and Design.

There are a variety of different career paths you can take with a degree in graphic design & interactive media. / UW-Stout

Career-Defining Curriculum

Our curriculum will prepare you with the skills and flexibility to succeed and adapt in the rapidly changing graphic design and interactive media industry. You'll explore graphic design through the creation of advertising, publications, packaging, motion graphics and more and study interactive design across web, mobile app and emerging screen-based media.

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Program Overview

View program plans, credit requirements and course descriptions.

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Career Opportunities

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, multimedia artists and animators (which include digital media designers) earned a median annual wage of $99,060 and a median hourly wage of $47.63 in 2023. As a skilled designer, you'll find rewarding careers available in entertainment, advertising, and science and healthcare communications. Here are a few of our graduate's positions and employers:

  • Web Designer
  • Advertising/Marketing Designer
  • Packaging Designer
  • Motion Graphics Designer
  • Brand Strategist
  • Interactive Designer
  • Art Director
  • Graphic Designer
  • Communications Strategist
  • Logo and Identity Systems Designer
  • Application Designer
  • Interface Designer

25 Best Graphic Design Schools 2020

We ranked #5 in the top 25 bachelor's degrees in graphic design, based on median salary one year out of college!

There are a variety of different career paths you can take with a degree in graphic design & interactive media. The possibilities continue to grow in digital media.

"UW-Stout was an amazing experience for me. The professors and classes challenged me and taught me new ways to think. I flourished in the creative aspect of the program while learning the technical skills needed for a career."

-- Tiffany Weckwerth
B.F.A. Graphic Design and Interactive Media

Use the Request Information form to receive a program summary and learn more about the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design and Interactive Media.

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Graphic Media & Print Management Minor

Build on your current creative, technical, business and management course skills to solve problems, analyze needs, and plan graphic projects.
Learn More

Showcase of Student Work

Our students gain experience working on real-world projects with a unique combination of concept and technical skills.
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Studios, Labs & Galleries

Modern studio classrooms provide open, creative environments for learning. Extensive open studio hours allow access to these spaces outside of class periods.

Two galleries are housed in the School of Art and Design, a student gallery and the John Furlong Gallery. These, along with other spaces on and off campus, provide student, faculty and outside exhibition opportunities throughout the academic year.

Take a 360-degree Interactive Studios & Galleries Tour

B.F.A. Admissions Requirements

New First-Year Students

Students admitted as Pre-Bachelor of Fine Arts (Pre-BFA) students will join an exciting community of first-year art and design students with classes and events geared towards preparing you for a successful application to the intended BFA program. 

As a student accepted into one of the six BFA programs, please be aware of the following:

  • You will be required to submit a portfolio in the spring semester of your freshman year to apply for acceptance into the intended BFA program. Portfolios will be evaluated by School of Art and Design faculty. Through your first-year experience, you will be given the tools and skills required to prepare and submit the portfolio, and the necessary support to navigate the application process.

Transfer Students

  • All transfer students will be admitted as a Pre-Bachelor of Fine Arts (Pre-BFA) student.  Upon acceptance information will be provided on how to submit a portfolio and essay to be reviewed by a committee of School of Art & Design faculty, who will determine direct admissions into the BFA major of your choice. 
  • Priority Deadlines: 
    • Spring Admission: October 1 at 9 a.m. CST  
    • Fall Admission: March 1 at 9 a.m. CST
  • Submissions may be made after the priority date; however, there is no guarantee when it will be reviewed for a decision nor what art-specific coursework you may be able to get into after the review is completed and whether or not registration for the next semester has begun.  There is a $10 application fee assessed at the time you electronically submit your portfolio.

Transfer students are considered for both fall and spring. This includes portfolio and essay submission by the priority deadline. Students applying for one of the BFA programs will remain admitted as a "Pre-BFA" student if you: 

  • do not submit a portfolio/essay 
    or
  • apply after the BFA program has closed 
    or
  • are not approved for the BFA program after submission of a portfolio/essay. 

You may then apply for a change of major in subsequent semesters, depending upon available openings in the program. If needed, BFA Foundations courses will be available to "Pre-BFA" students pending seat availability. 

Program Advisory Committee

Advisory Committee Members

SchmittJasonDean, College of Arts & Human SciencesUW-Stout
DurstAaronDirector, School of Art & DesignUW-Stout
ShelleyPechaChair, Department of DesignUW-Stout
AlexDeArmondProgram Director/Professor,Graphic Design & Interactive Media BFAUW-Stout
NageshShindeProfessor, Graphic Design & Interactive Media BFAUW-Stout
FraherRobertProfessor, Graphic Design & Interactive Media BFAUW-Stout
CaleeCecconiAssistant Professor, Graphic Design & Interactive Media BFAUW-Stout
KatieLuptonAssistant Professor, Graphic Design & Interactive Media BFAUW-Stout
KerriSoukupExecutive Creative Director, EVPLeo Burnett, Chicago
KristinShardlowPrincipal/OwnerKristin Shardlow Consulting, LLC
JesseLindhorstFounder and Design DirectorFriend & Fort
ColinSchyeDirector of Digital Product DesignBionic Giant
AngeWangSr. Director of UX Instruction & StrategyPrime Digital Academy
John StandishChief Strategy OfficerArtisan Venture Lab
Andy VitaleUX Design DirectorPolaris
JustinPeddycoartExperience ArchitectSalesforce
PatKavanaughDirector of Project ManagementFjorge
AshleyHohnsteinSenior Manager, Assoc Creative DirectorTarget
Student Rep PresidentAIGA Student Organization
Student Rep Vice PresidentAIGA Student Organization

Graphic Design & Interactive Media

All Graphic Design & Interactive Media News
Students in engineering, dietetics, construction, design receive national, regional honors Featured Image

Students in engineering, dietetics, construction, design receive national, regional honors

Sixteen students at UW-Stout in four career fields have been recognized this spring nationally, statewide and regionally.
Graphic design students’ 51 diversity, inclusion posters rollout for traveling exhibit Featured Image

Graphic design students’ 51 diversity, inclusion posters rollout for traveling exhibit

Collaboration with national nonprofit BrandLab builds awareness, first stop is Fearless conference on May 2
Inspiring Graduate: Amanda Piotrowski, B.F.A. Graphic Design & Interactive Media Featured Image

Inspiring Graduate: Amanda Piotrowski, B.F.A. Graphic Design & Interactive Media

‘My achievements underscore that what Stout does works, and the world is taking notice.’