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Art & Design

Graphic Design

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

Use design to transform the world.

You have talent and ideas—but that’s just the beginning. As a designer, you can have a positive impact on how people interact with the world.

Hone your skills in design thinking, visual and conceptual problem solving, and visual effects, and you'll learn to create work that has an impact. Gain the hands-on experience needed to land your dream job. And have the connections to start your career one of top-rated cities for graphic designers.

With a graphic design degree from Lesley, you'll blaze a trail in our contemporary visual landscape as you grow into your career as a mobile app designer, book illustrator, commercial graphic designer, information architect, and many more possibilities. When you leave Lesley, your fully realized art work will be ready to make its mark on the art world. And, with our reimagined general education curriculum, you’ll be ready to succeed in an increasingly complex, diverse, and global world.

Internships are a core requirement of the Graphic Design program, providing professional experience outside the classroom. Students intern at both small and large studios and organizations in Boston and beyond - places like Arnold Worldwide, Hasbro, Rue La La, New Balance, Puma, American Repertory Theater, and more. With close guidance from faculty, you'll make connections that will help launch your career.

In the classroom, you'll gain experience using industry-standard tools for print, motion, and interactive media, while supported by a community of experienced art and design faculty. You’ll be able to work directly with real clients, learn how to address their needs, and produce sophisticated visual work. These experiences cultivate the practical and professional skills necessary to navigate the business side of design.

Graphic design is a broad discipline, allowing you to represent a diverse range of interests and passions in your portfolio. We’ll teach you how to differentiate yourself, promote your work, and develop a portfolio that’s professional and unique. Your design education at Lesley will prepare you for the career you want—just ask the 95 percent of our graduates who are currently working in the field.

Undergraduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

123 Credits
Thinking about transferring here?

Log in to Transferology, add the courses you've taken, and see how they'll transfer to Lesley University.

Craft Creative Combinations
As a Graphic Design major, you can pursue a second major or one of our 45+ minors—in art & design or a liberal arts subject—to expand your career opportunities.

Forge your own path with a creative combination:
"My professors were extremely helpful by preparing me for the real world, challenging me, and giving me sound career advice."
Julia Kirwin ’19, Graphic Design and Illustration Double Major
An advertisement on an 18-wheeler with a woman with red hair and a shirt that says 100% girl. Repeated four times on the truck.
Dissecting Design in Japan
thumbnails of various logo options for new lesley art and design subbrand
Design Students Combine the Old with the New
“Graphic design encourages students to read and write using texts, images, and sounds simultaneously. This is a liberating way to learn.”
Kristina Lamour Sansone, Graphic Design Professor

Student Work

student working on art in studio

Small Art School, Big University

We're a premier art and design school of about 700 students, but we're also part of a dynamic university with a liberal arts college. This means you'll have the small studio, hands-on experience of a professional art school where you'll gain industry-specific knowledge. And, you'll benefit from a broader perspective of a liberal arts educational experience—something most art schools can't provide.

Headshot of Sarah Rubenstein in a black turtleneck holding pencils
Graphic Design
Sarah Rubenstein ’12
The Artisan Snack Expert: Design alum Sarah Rubenstein '12 started her own business for artists and designers that shows up at their door every month.
Careers
Work in the Following Areas
Graphic design is a versatile field, with opportunities to work across a wide range of industries and disciplines, including:
doble campus during the fall

Cambridge is our campus. Boston is our neighbor.

Cambridge is one of the most creative cities in the country. In fact, there are about 96 art and culture events happening in the Greater Boston area every day. And while you'll benefit from our dynamic surroundings, you'll also be a big part of them. You'll take art and design classes in our $48 million Lunder Arts Center. And our $7 million Visual Effects (VFX) studio—a state-of-the-art facility where our VFX curriculum comes alive—is the only one of its kind in New England.

Faculty

Approximate cost, before financial aid, for one year of study in this undergraduate program.
Graphic Design
Housing Options
Compare the cost of the program for students who live on campus in a residence hall with the cost for commuter students.
  • Tuition
    Fall Tuition
    $15,945
    Spring Tuition
    $15,945
  • Fees
    Fall Comprehensive Fee
    $445
    Spring Comprehensive Fee
    $445
  • Room & Board
    Fall Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Spring Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Fall Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Spring Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Fall Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Spring Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Housing Deposit (one-time fee)
    $300
  • Total cost before financial aid
Estimated Cost

Merit Scholarships & Financial Aid

It’s our goal at Lesley to break down financial barriers so that students who want to learn here, can learn here. That’s why we offer generous, customized aid packages for students based on their individual needs. In fact, more than 98% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. Learn more about Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Tuition & Fees

Other fees may apply. Review all undergraduate tuition and fees, and what they cover.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective June 1.

Housing Options
Compare the cost of the program for students who live on campus in a residence hall with the cost for commuter students.
  • Tuition
    Fall Tuition
    $15,945
    Spring Tuition
    $15,945
  • Fees
    Fall Comprehensive Fee
    $445
    Spring Comprehensive Fee
    $445
  • Room & Board
    Fall Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Spring Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Fall Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Spring Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Fall Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Spring Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Housing Deposit (one-time fee)
    $300
  • Total cost before financial aid
Estimated Cost

Merit Scholarships & Financial Aid

It’s our goal at Lesley to break down financial barriers so that students who want to learn here, can learn here. That’s why we offer generous, customized aid packages for students based on their individual needs. In fact, more than 98% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. Learn more about Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Tuition & Fees

Other fees may apply. Review all undergraduate tuition and fees, and what they cover.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective June 1.

Apply Now

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.

Approximate cost, before financial aid, for one year of study in this undergraduate program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal, state, and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.