Pitt-Bradford to Offer Minor in Digital Graphic Design

Students at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford can now minor in digital graphic design, which blends artistry with business skills.

Faculty from both the Division of Communication and the Arts and the Division of Management and Education developed the 18-credit minor, which is expected to be popular with students in many majors, including broadcast communications, business management, computer information systems and technology, hospitality management, interdisciplinary arts, and public relations.

Already students have begun signing up for the minor, which includes courses in art appreciation, design, digital photography and imaging, drawing, web programming, and visual communication.

“It’s already a popular choice for the broadcast communication students, all of whom need to have a minor as part of their requirements,” said Jeff Guterman, associate professor of communication, chairman of the Division of Communication and the Arts, and director of the broadcast communications program.

“We didn’t have to build the demand for this minor. The demand was already there.”

Guterman said he and Kong Ho, associate professor of art, had been looking at a digital graphic design minor for a couple of years when they were approached by Betsy Matz, chairwoman of the Division of Management and Education, who was also interested in providing digital design skills for business students.

“This is a great addition for our students who are interested in careers like web design, marketing and promotion,” Matz said. “It will provide them with a foundation in graphics and design that was previously not available.”

Ho spearheaded the development of the minor, which required that Pitt-Bradford add one course in Digital Photography and Imaging, taught by Ho. The program covers the aesthetic, theoretical and practical components of graphic design and will give students insight into professional digital graphic design practice and a deep understanding of how design plays an important role in the communication and marketing processes.

Pictured, students taking part in the Digital Photography and Imaging course created for Pitt-Bradford’s new minor in digital graphic design. The photo was taken by Carson Kepler, a student in the class.
Courtesy of Pitt-Bradford