Northland College in 2014 added a graphic design emphasis to its art program.

The emphasis is an opportunity to expose students to another form of visual communication, said Associate Professor of Art Jason Terry, who is coordinating the program.

Graphic design explores graphic solutions for visual problem solving through project-based curricula in both traditional and digital design including publication design, branding and identity, advertising, web, and interactive media.

Terry envisions creating a design center that would connect students with regional nonprofits, government agencies, and campus researchers who have graphic needs.

“In order to design well you have to know something about the subject and about the issues,” Terry said.

This also connects graphic design students with the Northland College environmental mission.

“Art fulfills the role of communicating the complex ideas — of moving science out of the lab and into the world,” Terry said.

Northland College junior Timothy Cline said he intends to take as many graphic design classes as he can.

“Graphic design is used in everyday life — we see it every single day in the products that we use and the signs that we see,” Cline said. “I am an art major and business management minor — graphic design will help bridge the two together.”