School of Art Invites Students of All Majors to Enroll in New Design Course

The Graphic Design program in the School of Art at the U of A has announced a new course, Introduction to Graphic Design for Non-Majors, to be offered for the first time in fall 2026. To expand access to the visual arts on campus, this is one of the first courses from the School of Art offered to all majors and minors from across campus. The three-credit course will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Studio + Design Center, located south of the main campus.

The course introduces both traditional design principles and contemporary methods of project creation, including the appropriate use of artificial intelligence in the design process. "This is an exciting development for our program as we expand access to non-majors," said Graphic Design Program Director and associate professor Tom Hapgood. "Graphic design is applicable across many disciplines such as computer engineering, public relations, marketing and architecture."

Course topics include foundational principles such as typography, color theory, brand identity and the differences between print and digital formats. Students will also learn contemporary design software and explore how AI tools can enhance the design process. Projects will include collaborative work and culminate in both individual feedback and group critique. No prior design experience is required.

Practicing designers from the region will visit the class to discuss their roles. Readings and discussions will address topics such as design thinking, idea generation and ethical approaches to AI in design. "These are valuable conversations for students across areas of study," Hapgood said. "Students will build professional connections while developing foundational design skills. Future employers from all kinds of fields view design skills as an asset."

The Graphic Design program is highly interdisciplinary and regularly collaborates with units across campus. Recent partnerships include the Technology Empowered Storytelling Lab (TESL), which just debuted ELARA 0.1, a virtual reality system developed in partnership with U of A information systems experts. Graduates of the Graphic Design program have gone on to both design-related and other types of roles with companies and organizations such as Walmart, Amazon Music, eBay, the Brooklyn Nets and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

The course is open to all undergraduate students from all colleges, majors and/or minors. Students do not need to be majoring or studying art, or related areas, for this course. Anyone interested in developing visual communication skills is encouraged to enroll. Please reach out to Tom Hapgood via email at thapgoo@uark.edu for more details.

Razorback Transit provides transportation to the Studio + Design Center following regular U of A bus hours, and parking for select permits is available in Lot 520. For permit information, visit parking.uark.edu. The School of Art is housed in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Learn more about the School of Art at www.art.uark.edu.