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Instagram @eiuartdept | @eiugraphicdesign
Facebook EIU Graphic Design | EIU Art and Design
It’s the practice of giving form to information by arranging visual elements such as imagery, typography, symbols, and colors, to communicate a message to an audience. Graphic Design is everywhere; websites, interactive experience design, social media, movies, posters, brochures, books, magazines, signage, advertising in print and in motion, packaging design, business cards, invitations, menus, and so much more.
Salaries vary depending on skill set, experience, and geographic location; however, the median annual salary hovers around $64,500*. Senior-level and advanced positions, such as Senior Designer ($83,202 Median**), Art Director, and Creative Director, are compensated more generously. Art Director median salary, by comparison, hovers around $142,337** nationally, based on experience, as of August 2023.
*according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2022 / **salary.com 2023
Print Designer
Web Designer
App Designer
Logo Designer
Branding Designer
Packaging Designer
Advertising Designer
Media Designer
Environmental Designer
User Interface Designer
Social Media Designer
Illustrator
Motion Graphics Artist
Animator
Multimedia Artist
UX Designer
Production Artist
Experience Designer
No, you do not need to know how to program or code, but you need to understand interactivity, user experience, and how form assists function. You will get hands-on experience with basic coding in our program. You will also use current prototyping software to show the look, feel and function of a site, without coding.
Graphic Design encompasses the artistic visual side of communication — it's creative problem-solving, whereas industries like Computer Science and Technology are focused on computation, automation, information, and technical solutions.
Graphic Design Alumni find employment and success nation-wide. Here are some examples of where our students begin their post-graduate careers, and where they continue to grow.
Learning Resources - Mundelein • Taylor Studio, Inc - Rantoul • Kankakee Daily Journal • Kozol Bros. • Milikin University • University of Illinois • Eastern Illinois University • Tarble Arts Center • Carle Foundation Hospital • Sarah Bush Lincoln Healthcare System • Horizon Hobby • Urbana Park District • Trigard Memorials • Mid America Motorworks • UPS • Slumberkins • Vineyard Church • CrossFit • Kankakee Daily Journal • Berkot’s Super Foods • Premier Print Group • Rural King
Patterson Technologies – Effingham • Imagine This Marketing • Heartland Dental • Midland States Bank
Pivot Design • LLT Group • Lia Sophia • First Centennial Mortgage • Munch’s Supply LLC • Top of Mind Networks • Black Knight • Luci Creative • Kozol Bros, Inc. • Sir Speedy • Trekk • Doyle Signs • LiveNation • EPAM Systems • Focused Labs
Powerspike
Creative Circle • May Group USA
2e • HLK • Fishawack Health • World Wide Technology Application Services • Asynchrony Labs • Integrity • Moosylvania • Habanero • B.A.M. Ink Printing
National Geographic • McDonald’s • Crayola
Also, people can remember 65% of visual information 3 days later, and only 10% of written content.*
80% of digital marketers use graphic design in social media marketing.*
92.6% of people say the visual dimension is the number one influencing factor affecting purchasing decisions.*
DECLARE YOUR MAJOR
BA in Graphic Design (54 credits)
BFA in Graphic Design (78 credits)
Minor in Graphic Design (18 credits)
If you are a transfer student interested in Graphic Design and would like assistance in any way, please email Dave Richardson, Professor in Graphic Design, at drichardson@eiu.edu, or Samantha Tableriou, Assistant Professor, at stableriou@eiu.edu. We are happy to respond to any questions you have, and we look forward to having you in the program.
SAMANTHA TABLERIOU
Samantha Tableriou is an award-winning graphic designer based in central Illinois. She is versed in environmental graphic design, signage planning, creative direction, project management, and branding. Having spent 15 years in various roles at a design studio, Sam is invested in preparing student designers to carry the practice into the future with passion, confidence, innovation, and authenticity.
In addition to teaching, Sam continues to create graphics for exhibitions and experiences across the country. In a world of digital abundance, she is passionate about working with multidisciplinary teams to create tactile, environmental, in-person experiences in which families, friends, individuals, and colleagues can learn, be moved, connect, and immerse in astonishing, unforgettable stories.
Her work can be seen across the country in museums, nature and visitor centers, public institutions, attractions, and more. Notable recent projects include Crayola IDEAworks: the Creativity Exhibition, Victoria the T.Rex, and National Geographic’s Beyond King Tut: the Immersive Experience. Visit samanthatableriou.design to learn more.
DAVE RICHARDSON
A designer and educator, film-maker and artist, Dave Richardson focuses on graphic design and motion/interactive media. His personal creative work centers on original narratives realized in motion/film space, and his short film-poems have been curated into national and international film festivals.
“Sinkhole,” an original film-poem about his father’s descent into Alzheimer’s, was curated into the Newlyn International Film Festival 2021 in the U.K., and awarded Co-Best Poetry Film; as well as into the 9th International Video Poetry Festival, Athens, Greece.
“Cathedral,” an original film-poem, was juried into REELpoetry/Houston TX, an international poetry film festival in 2020.
“Love’s River of Errors” was accepted into several festivals, including a screening at the Film and Video Poetry Symposium 2018, Los Angeles, California.
Richardson's site is rockyhillstudio.com
His films can be seen viewed at vimeo.com/daverichardsondesign
“Everything from the inspirational faculty to the refreshing, creative space and tools of Doudna Fine Arts Center has allowed me to start and progress my career in graphic design.”
Adam Limanowski
Senior Experience Designer EPAM
BFA Graphic Design ‘13
"Now I do digital marketing and video production full time. ElU and the graphic design program were so good to me. And because of it, I always say that I want to teach marketing at a small college a couple days out the week once I retire. People sleep on smaller/state schools but ElU was a 10/10."
Jalyssa Woodall
Marketing Consulant
BFA Graphic Design '15
"The support you find among your peers and instructors is unmatched. I learned a lot in the classroom as well as independently and in the process, I had so much fun. Truly an exceptional place to begin your career in a field you’re passionate about."
Olivia Jakubowski
Graphic Art Coordinator
Kozol Bros.
BFA Graphic Design '18
"The education and hands-on experience that I received through EIU’s graphic design program has been invaluable to my professional career. I was encouraged to explore new areas of study in addition to being provided with opportunities to get involved with clubs and campus organizations. I owe my current accomplishments to the collective efforts of the professors, staff, and my fellow peers at EIU."
Grace O'Brien
Freelance Designer
BFA Graphic Design '20
"The graphic design program at EIU prepared me for my career by giving me a wide range of design challenges. Most importantly, the classes encouraged my curiosity and developed my creative problem-solving abilities. These are important tools I will carry with me for life and my most cherished takeaways from my experience."
Caleb Cunningham
Graphic Designer
Imagine This! Marketing Group
BFA Graphic Design '23
Visit BLUEROOM Magazine, our student-operated and produced publication and student organization at EIU • Blue Room provides an exclusive experience to anyone who joins by giving a hands-on approach to real-life situations and problems seen in the field. Students have the ability to craft and participate in jobs needed such as designers, photographers, editors, journalists, and writers.
Rincón Latino Lounge in Coleman Hall, EIU, designed by EIU graphic designers
Doudna Fine Arts Center
600 Lincoln Ave.
Charleston, IL 61920
217-581-3410
artdept@eiu.edu
