Academic Programs Overview

Integrative Arts

Graphic Design

Arts and Architecture Scholarship Opportunities

 

The Design Problem

“An effective poster should attract attention, appeal to the intended audience, communicate a message to the viewer, and imprint itself upon their memory.”

  1. Part One: Design a Poster

    Topic: Select a subject that relates to a particular social or environmental issue that you feel strongly about. Examples: Energy, Pollution, Deforestation, Hunger, AIDS, Health Care, Education, Racism, Animal Abuse… anything you are concerned about.

    Size: 11” x 17”  (horizontal or vertical)

    Medium:  You may execute your design either digitally or in traditional media.  You may use a computer program (Photoshop, In Design, Quark Express, etc.) or create your poster using conventional approaches like drawing, painting, collage, photo montage, cut paper… it’s up to you.

    Submission:  If your poster design is digital or can be readily transferred to a digital format, it should be converted to a PDF file and submitted on a MAC formatted compact disc.

    Original artwork or a hard copy of an original may also be submitted.

  2. Part Two: Write an essay

    Write a brief statement (no longer than one page) that tells us why you chose your topic, describes your intended audience, and explains why you think your poster design is effective.

Submit both the CD (or the poster) and the written essay to:

The Department of Integrative Arts
Graphic Design Application
The Pennsylvania State University
009 Brumbaugh Hall
University Park, PA  16802

Application to the University for consideration for admission should be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions along with the required academic records.  You can file the application by going to the Admissions Website (http://www.psu.edu/dept/admissions/) or by mailing an application to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
201 Shields Building
University Park, PA 16802

 

Application Dates

Design application dates are as follows:

Changes of Major

Change effective Spring 2008:

  • Design problem submission - September 15, 2007 – November 1, 2007

Change effective Summer 2008:

  • Design problem submission - February 1, 2008 – March 30, 2008

Change effective Fall 2008:

  • Design problem submission - February 1, 2008 – March 30, 2008

Admissions (Freshman and Advanced Standing Transfer students)

Spring 2008 admissions:

  • Design problem submission - September 1, 2007 – November 1, 2007
  • Decisions to Dean by November 30, 2007

Summer 2008 admissions:

  • Design problem submission - November 1, 2007 – February 1, 2008
  • Decisions to Dean by March 15, 2008

Fall 2008 admissions:

  • Design problem submission - November 1, 2007 – February 1, 2008
  • Decisions to Dean by March 15, 2008