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Currently, no specific coursework on graphic design exists in seemingly relevant departments like Computer Science and Visual and Environmental Studies (VES). Interested students receive academic support only through peripherally related courses. “We don’t offer any graphic design courses, but if a student wants to pursue graphic design in the future, VES studio courses are still a helpful foundation,” said Paula Soares, Manager of Academic Programs for VES. Further, the Office of Student Life, which boasts a list of over 413 officially recognized student groups, does not include a single student group...
Musing on this lack of formal curricular opportunities for graphic designers, Computer Science concentrator Kane Hsieh ’12 said, “I wish departments would offer not classes, but rather, mini-seminars throughout the year, so that students can learn the skills without using up one of their few electives. Right now, I’m probably pretty inefficient when creating images, since I’m just using what I already know.” Christina Q. Guo ’13 echoes this sentiment, saying, “I’ve never heard about...
Given this lack of formal programs for graphic design, a number of extracurricular organizations instead provide relevant training to interested students—regardless of their level of experience. “I’d never done graphic design before, but a few of my friends were doing it for other organizations, so when a CSA [Chinese Students Association] Public Relations board position opened up, I took the opportunity to finally learn graphic design,” Guo said. Later, when Guo was comping the Harvard College Law Society, her new graphic design skills were immediately...
Other student designers, however, come to Harvard with some familiarity with graphic design software. “In high school, I did a lot of journalism,” explains Ding. “My high school was fortunate enough to print a color newspaper with broadsheet, so that’s how I started working with Photoshop and InDesign.” Hsieh jokes that he started doing graphic design work before Harvard because “I just don’t like ugly things.” On a more serious note, he added...
...despite its decidedly creative nature, students say that a background in visual art is not essential for learning graphic design. “Before high school, I only dabbled in drawing, and never took a formal art class in high school,” Guo said. “Anyone can do graphic design, as long as they have a decent aesthetic sense.” For further inspiration, designers like Hsieh often look to the Internet. “You can search for design and typographic trends,” he said. “There are websites which...