What Makes Us Unique?

Creative Freedom: Our curriculum is designed to help you develop a distinct design voice.

Expansive Education: As a premier liberal arts college, with multiple Arts Conservatories, Purchase enhances your art education with diverse programs in sciences and humanities and experiences in variety of student-led activities.

Building a Strong Foundation: Our curriculum combines timeless design principles with cutting-edge skills, equipping students for immediate success and a lifetime of growth.

Community and Collaboration: While we value individual production, we encourage our students to collaborate, engage with their communities, and produce work that is timely and relevant.

World-Class Faculty: Learn from dedicated professors who bring extensive expertise and are committed to your success. Meet Our Faculty.

Industry Connections: Located near New York City, we offer great access to top guest speakers and internship opportunities.

Neuberger Museum of Art: The Neuberger Museum of Art is a teaching museum and students can experience exhibitions of modern, contemporary and African art and art-inspired events in our Philip Johnson-designed building

The Performing Art Center: The Performing Arts Center (The Purchase PAC) is a four-theatre complex located on the campus, and has been the hub of a creative community that brings together internationally acclaimed performance artists and rising stars, creative practitioners, civic and academic leaders, and community activists.

Career Possibilities

Students with a BFA in graphic design have found success in a wide variety of careers, including:

  • Art Director
  • Brand and Identity Designer
  • Book Designer
  • Creative Director
  • Exhibition Designer
  • Illustrator
  • Motion Graphics Artist
  • Package Designer
  • Publication Designer
  • Social Media Producer
  • Advertising
  • Marketing
  • Type Designer
  • UX/UI Designer
  • Web and Interactive Designer

Visit the Career Development Center to learn more.

Alternatives Possibilities for Young Creative Minds

  • Cultural and Arts Institutions
  • Design Research and Critical Design
  • Editorial and Independent Publishing
  • Freelance and Collective Studios
  • Nonprofit or Cooperative Organizations
  • Social Impact Design
  • Teaching and Mentoring

Social Design Class Studio Visit, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York Social Design Class Studio Visit, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York

Important Information for Transfer Applicants for the Graphic Design Program 

Graphic Design is a Conservatory program part of the School of Art + Design. Our BFA curriculum is structured and sequential, with a strong emphasis on foundational training during the first two years.

Transfer students should keep the following in mind:

  •  All students must complete the equivalent of our foundational classes.
  • While transfer credits are generously considered, not all may apply toward the BFA in Graphic Design.
  • Students are typically placed at the sophomore level after careful portfolio reviews and an assessment of past coursework on a case-by-case basis.
  • Most transfer students should plan to spend three years in the program to complete all requirements.

We encourage all prospective transfers to review the curriculum and course description carefully and contact the Admissions Office or the School of Art+Design with questions before applying.

Art+Design Foundations Program