Dunwoody Graphic Design & Production

With a graphic design degree from Dunwoody, you will gain hands-on, real-world experience that will put you at the top of your field. Combining design theory with project-based learning, Graphic Design & Production produces graduates who are ready to work on print, digital, display, and packaging projects.

Design and print materials for real clients; participate in local, state, and national competitions and projects; and explore career paths in Dunwoody’s on-campus print shop.

Small class sizes give our students ample time with both industry-trained instructors and state-of-the-moment design and production equipment. And our studios and printing and packaging lab allow you a hand in every aspect of their projects–from conception to completion. This model of study allows you to build a portfolio of professional work–including digital and print projects–before you graduate.

Dunwoody’s degree also includes an industry internship or capstone project that partners you with working professionals, so you can develop technical skills and on-the-job experience.

Upon graduation, you will have experience using industry-standard hardware and software, like Apple OSX and Adobe Creative Suite, and will be prepared to work in a variety of creative fields, including marketing, advertising, publishing, and packaging.

This degree directly transfers into Dunwoody’s Bachelor of Science in Business Management & Leadership.

Explore Graphic Design & Production in the College Catalog

Ready for more detail? Explore degree requirements, course descriptions, and program outcomes for Graphic Design & Production in the College Catalog. You can also find a sample academic plan for each semester of your college journey.

View Catalog

Class topics include:

  • Color Theory and Color Management
  • Typography
  • Layout
  • Design for Print
  • Web Design
  • Packaging Design

Student Organizations

Opportunities to get involved outside of the classroom include:

  • Professional Association for Design (AIGA)
  • Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK)
  • SkillsUSA

Learn more

Visit AIGA Minnesota website

Recent Employers of Graduates

Companies that hire our graduates include:

  • U.S. Bank
  • Periscope
  • Madesmart
  • SGS
  • Schawk/Anthem
  • Wunderman

Common Job Titles

Possible job titles upon graduation include:

  • Graphic Designer
  • Production Artist
  • Production Designer
  • Web Designer
  • Art Director

Dunwoody second-year Graphic Design & Production students test sleds made of corrugated material

Dunwoody designs large-scale display for Minnesota State Fair

Academic Excellence Award Winner Yengkong Thao

Yengkong Thao’s interest in graphic design was sparked by chance. After a meeting with his guidance counselor at Wausau East High School in Wisconsin, Thao found out he had a gap in his class schedule that needed to be filled.

An artist at heart, Thao’s counselor encouraged him to consider taking a Graphics Communications elective.

“I always wanted to become an artist, and she told me that graphic design was at least somewhat related to art,” Thao said.

Continue reading

Facilities

Graphic Design Studio

Conceptualize, design, and share feedback on graphic design projects.

  • External monitors for each student laptop

Printing, Finishing, and Packaging Lab

Bring digital designs to life by printing different types of projects on a wide variety of substrates. Learn quality control of print projects and various finishing techniques.

  • Digital press
  • Wide format printer
  • Spectrodensitometer
  • Spectrophotometer

Fabrication Lab

Create products, prototypes, and projects by using computer-aided design tools and then producing them in cardboard, plywood, plastic, and other materials.

  • 2 laser cutters
  • Stratsys 3D printer
  • 3-axis CNS router, belt sanders, scroll saws, drills, wire cutters
  • Spray booth with utility sink

School of Design Faculty

Korrin Howard

Korrin Howard

Associate Dean, School of Design and Assistant Professor

khoward@dunwoody.edu

Jessica Ainsworth-Truong

Jessica Ainsworth-Truong

Associate Professor and Faculty Coordinator

jainsworthtruong@dunwoody.edu

Beata Fleischmann

Beata Fleischmann

Senior Instructor and Faculty Coordinator

bfleischmann@dunwoody.edu

Minneapolis-based artist and educator, Korrin Howard, is the Associate Dean of the School of Design at Dunwoody College of Technology. Korrin is driven by both inspiring students to find their voice in the design profession and creating positive change in the educational landscape. She finds energy in creating space for community, generating ideas, and empowering the next leaders of the design field.

Korrin has a background in interior design, industrial design, and sustainable architecture, and she uses this background to bring a unique perspective to her work with students, faculty, and industry partners. Her 20+ years of teaching experience has provided the opportunity to work with a multitude of students from a variety of backgrounds and encourage them to pursue their passions.

Jess teaches interior design studios and the architecture history sequence. She was awarded the 2019 Dunwoody Teacher of the Year award because of her ability to ignite passion for design in her students. When not in the classroom, she leads assessment and accreditation for the School of Design and mentors new faculty. She earned her Bachelor of Art with a major in Architecture with a minor concentration in American Indian Art and her Master of Architecture from the University of Minnesota.

Beata Fleischmann has been a design instructor in higher education since 2005. She focuses on combining concept methodology with strong technological skills. Her varied background in Textile Design, Painting, Sculpture, Interior Design, Ecological Architecture, and Furniture Design has helped her to foster a sense of curiosity and exploration. She aspires to have her students develop this same curiosity and cross-disciplinary exploration as they solve design problems. In the classroom, Beata encourages her students to become keen observers and questioners.

Beata is passionate about creating equitable access to learning for students from varied backgrounds. Therefore, she enjoys the role she plays with helping to plan and coordinate the online learning environment. She has received the Outstanding Academic Innovation Award for her work within the B.Arch Online Program.

Twee Anderson photo

Twee Anderson

Senior Instructor

tandersen@dunwoody.edu

Andrew Blaisdell

Andrew Blaisdell

Associate Professor

ablaisdell@dunwoody.edu

Pam Glander

Pamela Glander

Assistant Professor

Phone: 612.381.8239

pglander@dunwoody.edu

Twee Andersen is an interior designer and design educator with a passion for creating thoughtful, impactful spaces. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Minnesota and a BS in Interior Design from Dunwoody College of Technology. Twee combines her expertise in psychology with her design skills to emphasize social, emotional, and physical well-being in her work, specializing in hospitality projects.

Dedicated to mentorship and fostering future talent, Twee actively engages in mentorship and portfolio reviews at local colleges.

Andrew Blaisdell is an Architect with a background in prefab modern, historic restoration, relief housing, and urban planning. He is the founder of Studio Andhow, an Assistant Professor at Dunwoody College, and has taught studios, seminars, and workshops at the University of Minnesota, where he received a Master of Architecture degree in 2010.

Pam is a versatile professional skilled in creative strategy, education, design, and visual arts. Her expertise spans publication design, identity design, and retail product packaging. Pam is committed to guiding aspiring designers towards success. As both a mentor and educator, she prioritizes the mastery of technical skills while supporting individual and collaborative creativity. Pam holds a BA in studio art/k-12 art education and an MFA in Graphic Design. She remains actively engaged in design practice as a co-owner of a local design studio, ensuring she continues to evolve within the field.

Photo of Claire Huffaker

Claire Huffaker

Senior Instructor

chuffaker@dunwoody.edu

Lisa Loudon

Lisa Loudon

Associate Professor

lloudon@dunwoody.edu

Erin Moren

Erin Moren

Fabrication Manager

emoren@dunwoody.edu

Claire Huffaker is an educator and designer. Working at the intersection of design and wellness, she explores human wellbeing and humanity through integrative research, design, and visualization practices. She earned her Master of Architecture from Kansas State University and holds a certification in User Experience Design. Claire is a Senior Instructor in the School of Design, where she is committed to fostering an educational landscape that empowers students to pursue their passions with confidence and curiosity.

Lisa Loudon is a visual artist and educator with an MFA from the University of Nebraska in Visual Art with an emphasis in painting and drawing. She has over 20 years of teaching experience at the college level. Her work has been exhibited nationally, and she is the recipient of several grants and awards. She maintains an active studio practice. Lisa brings a focus on creativity and conceptual thinking to the classroom, while also helping students to build foundational rendering and presentation skills.

Erin is a designer, fabricator, maker, and thinker. She is passionate about the intersection of design and fabrication. She loves teaching students about new materials, tools and processes and helping them gain comfort using their hands and making things. Erin earned her BFA in Furniture Design from Minneapolis College of Art and Design and a Masters of Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago.

In addition to managing the FabLab, Erin teaches in the School of Design and is the co-owner of Tandem Made, a furniture and product design company.

Sarah North

Saran North

Senior Instructor

snorth@dunwoody.edu

Melissa Sisk

Melissa Sisk

Senior Instructor

msisk@dunwoody.edu

Paul Strother

Paul Strother

Associate Professor

pstrother@dunwoody.edu

Sarah is a sustainable creative, educator, interior designer, and systems thinker. She enjoys seeing SoD students develop evidence-based and creative thinking design solutions that also meet our changing climate needs. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Interior Design from the Arts Institutes International Minnesota and a Masters of Arts in Sustainable Design from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Sarah teaches in the School of Design and is also the owner of Studio North Design Co, a sustainable design consulting firm.

Melissa Sisk is a Senior Instructor in the School of Design, focusing on graphic design courses. She brings over a decade of experience, holding a BS from Michigan State University and a MS in Biomedical Visualization from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Melissa’s unique and multidisciplinary background includes medical illustration and animation, board game art direction, and printmaking. Committed to fostering an enriching educational experience, she is dedicated to empowering students in their creative endeavors. Outside of academia, Melissa enjoys screen printing at Highpoint Center for Printmaking and actively contributes to gallery exhibitions and artistic projects.

Paul Strother is an assistant professor at Dunwoody College of Technology and a practicing architect. Paul has focused on technical excellence in his teaching and practice. He believes that design study predicated on sound technology produces building design that is credible and is essential for sustainable building design. Further, it prepares the graduates for success as architects. Paul is committed to develop the potential of every student and enjoys igniting the spark of enthusiasm and confidence.

Paul is a member of CSI. Recognition includes the Rotary Paul Harris Award for Community Service.

James Wheeler

James Wheeler

Senior Instructor

jwheeler@dunwoody.edu

James is an educator and community designer. He is the co-founder of the design collaborative Public Design Exchange with work that focuses on public art, design, engagement, fabrication, planning, and installation. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Architecture from the University of Minnesota and later served as a Lecturer in Architecture and Landscape Architecture following five years working in community design on the Mississippi Gulf Coast post-Hurricane Katrina. His teaching and practice place an emphasis on collaboration, empathy, partnership, and equity building focused on fulfilling the promise of the core values of Dunwoody and supporting students to be ready for the realities of practice and be best prepared to serve clients, collaborators, and communities.