Graphic Design Community Engagement

Our Design Department believes that design is more than just aesthetics; it’s also the ability to apply what they learn in the classroom in order to better their communities, not only as designers, but as global citizens. Our Graphic Design students are given opportunities to engage with other departments within SJSU, as well as many programs in other universities and institutions, by applying their design skills to help with projects and presentations. Listed below are some of the partnerships our Graphic Design students were able to take part in as designers to meaningful community improvement.

Website Design Research Projects

• SJSU School of Library & Information Science: slis.sjsu.edu, San José, CA | 2012
• SJSU University website revitalization: www.sjsu.edu, San José, CA | 2011
• SJSU School of Journalism & Mass Communications, San José, CA | 2010
• SJSU School of Art & Design, San José, CA | 2010

User Interface & Interaction Design Research Projects

• SJSU Web Portal UI & Icon System Design, San José, CA | 2018
• Medical Application Design for UCLA's emergency room residents, Los Angeles, CA | 2014
• Doosung Paper Research & Design, Seoul, Korea | 2011
• Liveshare Web Interface Research & Design: Cooliris Inc. Palo Alto, CA | 2011
• Liveshare Mobile Interface Research & Design: Cooliris Inc. Palo Alto, CA | 2010
• Samsung Mobile User Interface Research & Design: SDA, Los Angeles, CA | 2010

Branding & Editorial Design Research Projects

• SJSU Design Department Book, San José, CA | 2021
• Piktopus Animation Studio Brand Design, Pleasanton, CA | 2018
• Hammer Theater Wayfinding Design, San José, CA | 2016
• Zazzle Inc. Online Store Merchandise Design, Redwood City, CA | 2015
• SJSU "We Are Spartans" Logo and Marketing Design, San José, CA | 2012
• SJSU "Washington Square Magazine" Design, San José, CA | 2012

Information Design Research Projects

• History San Jose Wayfinding Design Projects, San José, CA l 2021
• Hammer Theater Wayfinding Design, San José, CA | 2016
• SJSU Campus Wayfinding Design, San José, CA | 2016

High School Engagement

• Visit to BFA Graphic Design Show from Lincoln High School, SFUSD  |  May, 2016
• Visit to BFA Graphic Design Show from Piedmont Hills High School, ESUHSD  |  May, 2017
• Visit to BFA Graphic Design Show from Balboa High School, SFUSD  | May, 2018
• Visit to BFA Graphic Design Show from Balboa High School and Phillip and Sala Burton Academic High School, SFUSD  | May, 2019

Community and Professional Participation

• International Design Education Expo and Conference (IDEEC), Chuncheon, Korea l 2023
• BFA Students work with La Cocina Women Entrepreneurs | 2013–2023 (Ongoing)
• International Design Education Expo and Conference (IDEEC), San José, CA l 2019
• BFA Graphic Design seniors exhibited at AIGA SF Design Week | June, 2017

Featured Guest Speakers

The Graphic Design Program is proud to bring a diverse set lectures and workshops to our students, community, and visitors each year. These renowned industry leaders bring their insights and expertise and share them with us. Speakers include: Matthew Carter, Tom Crabtree, Hugh Dubberly, April Greiman, Kit Hinrichs, Jessica Hische, Boris Kochan, Eric Rodenbeck, Lucile Tanaza, Rudy Vanderlans and Zuzana Licko, Martin Venezky, and more.