Elizabethtown College has added a new minor to its curriculum: graphic design. This 20-credit minor will be offered to students starting next semester. The graphic design minor is interdisciplinary with courses in fine arts, communications and creative writing. The minor is available to students majoring in any field.
“The new interdisciplinary minor in graphic design is a response to student demand over several years. Students who enjoyed the courses taught in the Fine Arts Division by Linda Eberly, a freelance graphic designer, wanted more opportunities to develop their skills in this field,” Dr. Patricia Ricci said, director of the fine arts division of the fine and performing arts department.
The push to create such a minor came from many people, including Brian Falk, director of cross-country and track & field, who informed the administration that some of his recruited prospective students were interested in graphic design. In addition, senior Cassie Meade became an advocate for graphic design by writing to Dean of Faculty Fletcher McClellan about the need for a program.
Ricci, as well as Dr. Kirsten Johnson, associate professor of communications, collaborated on writing the proposal for the new minor. Dr. Tamara Gillis, now chair of the communications department, helped organize the curriculum.
The proposal was reviewed and approved by the Academic Council earlier this year. “Having a minor in graphic design will facilitate obtaining internships in the field and give the student a credential on their transcript when they look for employment. The minor will also prepare students who want to go on for an advanced degree in graphic design,” Ricci said.
Eberly has been a professional graphic designer for almost 30 years, and began teaching Computer Art at Etown in 2007. Most recently, she has taught Advanced Digital Arts, which will become the capstone course in the new graphic design minor. “I’m excited to be part of a faculty that recognizes the importance of graphic design. With the growing and ever-changing information age, teaching our students the principles and elements of creating art on the computer will better prepare them for their futures,” Eberly said.
The required courses within the minor include Visual Communications, Introduction to Graphic Design and Advanced Digital Arts. Students will also have the opportunity to select two elective courses from the requirement sheet that will be released to students later this semester. The College already offers a range of courses in graphic design, but did create a new course in Typography and Text Design that will be offered next year. “Graphic design is a very versatile minor. It can be paired with numerous majors including: English, communications, art, business, biology, and engineering. It will provide individuals, like myself, with a challenging environment in which we can thrive and develop our love of design along with our skills,” Meade said. Students who have questions about the graphic design minor should contact Ricci at riccipl@etown.edu.
