Ball State University

Founded in 1918, Ball State University is a research-intensive, residential institution in Muncie, Indiana, serving roughly 22,000 students. The School of Art offers state-of-the-art facilities supported by faculty and staff who are accomplished artists, designers, scholars, and creators with active national and international profiles. Enrolling more than 700 students, the NASAD-accredited programs in the School of Art include BA, BS, and BFA degrees in a wide range of areas, including Graphic Design, Graphic Design Studies, Graphic Communications Management, Animation (Animation Production, Game Art/Design, Illustration, VFX Animation), Studio Art (Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Photography, Ceramics, Glass, Metals + Jewelry, Video and New Media), Art History, and Art Education.

The BFA in Graphic Design delivers a rigorous interdisciplinary education that promotes cultural awareness and prepares students for real-world professional expectations. Students develop strong problem-solving abilities, technical proficiency, and digital competence across a variety of media. The program’s top-tier facilities feature industry-standard computers, software, and equipment, enabling students to excel in both traditional and emerging forms of design. Graphic Design at Ball State encompasses branding, publication design, UX/UI design, website design, motion graphics, typography, and packaging.

Collaboration and community engagement is central to the School of Art experience. Students work closely with faculty, alumni, and peers to build a solid foundation in design concepts, visual communication, and professional practice. Students also have the opportunity to participate in Studio 165+, an award-winning, student-run design studio, where they gain hands-on experience producing work for local, regional, national, and international clients. bsu.edu/art

Dr. Lara Kuykendall, Director of the School of Art, Associate Professor of Art History

email: lkuykendall@bsu.edu

Shantanu Suman, Associate Professor of Graphic Design

email: ssuman@bsu.edu

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FEATURE Highlight

Founded in 1918, Ball State University is a research-intensive, residential institution located in Muncie, Indiana, serving approximately 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The School of Art at Ball State offers state-of-the-art facilities that rival the best in the nation. Our faculty and staff are highly accomplished artists, creators, scholars, and designers with active national and international profiles. With an enrollment of over 600 students, our NASAD-accredited programs (BA, BS, BFA) provide a diverse range of opportunities in areas such as Graphic Design, Animation, Game Design, Illustration, Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Photography, Ceramics, Glass, Metals, Intermedia, Graphic Arts Management, Art History, and Art Education.

The Graphic Design program emphasizes a rigorous interdisciplinary education that fosters cultural awareness and prepares students for real-world professional demands. Students develop strong problem-solving abilities, technical expertise, and digital competencies across multiple disciplines. Our program features top-tier facilities equipped with industry-standard computers, software, and equipment, allowing students to excel in both traditional and emerging media. Graphic Design students collaborate closely with faculty and peers to build a strong foundation in design concepts and professional practices. They also have the unique opportunity to join Studio 165+, an award-winning student-run design studio, where they work on local, regional, national, and international design projects.

bsu.edu/art

Creative Comment: What AI Can and Cannot Do

We Want To Hear From You!

GDUSA Digital Magazine: April 2026

FEATURE Highlight

Founded in 1918, Ball State University is a research-intensive, residential university in Muncie, Indiana, with about 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The art-making facilities in the School of Art at Ball State are competitive with the best in the country, and our faculty and staff are active nationally and internationally as artists, creators, scholars, and designers. With roughly 600 students, our NASAD-accredited programs (BA, BS, BFA, MFA) cover a broad range of opportunities, including Graphic Design, Animation, Game Design, Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Photography, Ceramics, Glass, Metals, Intermedia, Graphic Arts Management, Art History, and Art Education.

Our Graphic Design BFA students receive a rigorous interdisciplinary education focused on cultural awareness and real-world work expectations. They develop problem-solving abilities, technical skills, and digital competencies across several disciplines. The students enjoy superior facilities that are outfitted with industry-standard computers, software programs, and equipment. Students work closely with professors and peers in multiple areas to build a solid foundation in design concepts and professional practices while blending traditional and emerging media. The Graphic Design program also provides an opportunity to enroll in an award-winning student-run design studio (Studio 165+) and to collaborate on local, regional, national, and international design projects.

Contact: bsu.edu/art

Founded in 1918, Ball State University is a research-intensive, residential university in Muncie, Indiana, with about 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The art-making facilities in the School of Art at Ball State are competitive with the best in the country, and our faculty and staff are active nationally and internationally as artists, creators, scholars, and designers. With roughly 600 students, our NASAD accredited programs (BA, BS, BFA, MFA) cover a broad range of opportunities, including Visual Communication (Graphic Design), Animation, Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Photography, Ceramics, Glass, Metals, Intermedia, Graphic Arts Management, Art History, and Art Education. Our Visual Communication BFA students receive a rigorous interdisciplinary education focused on cultural awareness and real-world work expectations. They develop problem-solving abilities, technical skills, and digital competencies across several disciplines. The students enjoy superior facilities that are outfitted with industrystandard computers, software programs, and equipment. Students work closely with professors and peers in multiple areas to build a solid foundation in design concepts and professional practices while blending traditional and emerging media. The Visual Communication program also provides an opportunity to enroll in an award-winning student-run design studio and to collaborate on local, regional, national, and international design projects.

Contact: bsu.edu/art

Founded in 1918, Ball State University is a research-intensive, residential university with about 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The art-making facilities in the School of Art at Ball State are competitive with the best in the country, and our faculty and staff are active nationally and internationally as artists, creators, scholars, and designers. Our Visual Communication BFA students receive a rigorous interdisciplinary education focused on cultural awareness and real-world work expectations. They develop problem-solving abilities, technical skills, and digital competencies across several disciplines. The students enjoy superior facilities outfitted with industry-standard computers,software programs, and equipment. Students work closely with professors and peers in multiple areas to build a solid foundation in design concepts and professional practices while blending traditional and emerging media. The Visual Communication program also provides an opportunity to enroll in an award-winning studentrun design studio and to collaborate on local, regional, national, and international design projects.

Contact: bsu.edu/art

Founded in 1918, Ball State University is a major researchintensive, residential university. The art-making facilities in the School of Art are competitive with the best in the country, and faculty and staff are active nationally and internationally as artists, creators, scholars and designers. With roughly 600 students, the NASAD accredited programs (BA, BS, BFA, MFA) cover a broad range of opportunities, including Visual Communication (Graphic Design), Animation, Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Photography, Ceramics, Glass, Metals, Intermedia, Graphic Arts Management, Art History, and Art Education. In the Visual Communication BFA, students receive a rigorous interdisciplinary education focused on cultural awareness and realworld work expectations. The program also provides an opportunity to enroll in an award-winning student-run design studio and to collaborate on local, regional, national, and international design projects.

Contact: bsu.edu/art

Founded in 1918, Ball State University is a research-intensive, residential university in Muncie IN. The art-making facilities in the School of Art at Ball State are competitive with the best in the country, and faculty and staff are active nationally and internationally as artists, creators, scholars and designers. With roughly 600 students, our NASAD accredited programs (BA, BS, BFA, MFA) cover a broad range of opportunities, including Visual Communication (Graphic Design), Animation, Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Photography, Ceramics, Glass, Metals, Intermedia, Graphic Arts Management, Art History, and Art Education. In our Visual Communication BFA students receive a rigorous interdisciplinary education focused on cultural awareness and real-world work expectations. The Visual Communication program also provides an opportunity to enroll in an award-winning student-run design studio and to collaborate on local, regional, national, and international design projects.

Contact:  bsu.edu/art

Founded in 1918, Ball State University is a research-intensive, residential university in Muncie IN with about 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The art-making facilities in the School of Art at Ball State are competitive with the best in the country, and faculty and staff are active nationally and internationally as artists, creators, scholars, and designers. With roughly 600 students, our NASAD accredited programs (BA, BS, BFA, MFA) cover a broad range of opportunities. Visual Communication BFA students receive a rigorous interdisciplinary education focused on cultural awareness and real-world work expectations. They develop problem-solving abilities, technical skills and digital competencies across several disciplines; enjoy superior facilities and state of the art technology; and work closely with professors and peers in multiple areas. The Visual Communication program also provides an opportunity to enroll in an award-winning student-run design studio.

bsu.edu