The graphic design department goes beyond the traditional division between Web and print design to give students a cross-media skill set that adapts to context, audience and participant input. Our rigorous approach to audience research, theory and conceptual problem-solving will help to position you as a thought leader in your chosen field. Our students are exposed to professional practices, concepts and skills required to build rewarding careers.

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upcoming events
The Class of 2020 is ready for you world! A million times thank you to everyone who has helped us get here.
The Class of 2020 is ready for you world! A million times thank you to everyone who has helped us get here.
In four short hours, yestodesign.online will be live and open to the public. To hear more from the class of 2020, the Yes* identity and brand exploration, and the projects within the exhibition, click the zoom link in our bio at 4 o’clock today! We can’t wait to show our work to you! #yestodesignonline #kcaigraphicdesign
The countdown begins to the launch of the class of 2020 senior exhibition, Yes*. LINK IN BIO to access the zoom link at 4 PM today.
The countdown begins to the launch of the class of 2020 senior exhibition, Yes*. LINK IN BIO to access the zoom link at 4 PM today.
As a graphic designer, spending hours on end staring at a screen is inevitable. To avoid getting burnt out, Maddie says that natural lighting and fresh air makes a huge difference. Opening up windows and letting some sunshine come through makes worki
As a graphic designer, spending hours on end staring at a screen is inevitable. To avoid getting burnt out, Maddie says that natural lighting and fresh air makes a huge difference. Opening up windows and letting some sunshine come through makes working from home enjoyable. Maddie wholeheartedly believes that having cute office supplies is essential to productivity as well… because who doesn't like looking at cute stuff? #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition
For her senior degree project, Maddie is exploring the topic of emotional abuse. This project has allowed her to open up about personal experiences, connect with others, and ultimately grow as a person. Through extensive research, she strives to teac
For her senior degree project, Maddie is exploring the topic of emotional abuse. This project has allowed her to open up about personal experiences, connect with others, and ultimately grow as a person. Through extensive research, she strives to teach others about the signs of someone who is experiencing emotional abuse, provide resources, and help to dismantle the discomfort that comes with the word abuse. #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition #abuse #resources #selfgrowth #mentalhealth
Maddie Hollingsworth is a designer and illustrator from St. Louis. She moved to Kansas City after graduating from St. Charles Community College to further her education at KCAI. As a kid, Maddie spent the majority of her days sitting at the kitchen t
Maddie Hollingsworth is a designer and illustrator from St. Louis. She moved to Kansas City after graduating from St. Charles Community College to further her education at KCAI. As a kid, Maddie spent the majority of her days sitting at the kitchen table, drawing until it was time for bed. She always knew she wanted to do something in the creative field, and chose to pursue Graphic Design after high school. When she is not playing with her cat Vernon, she spends her time illustrating, hand-lettering, and designing a more colorful future. #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition #drawing #handlettering #typography #cats #illustration
Even within the LGBTQ community, trans people are underrepresented and our voices are quieted. With Trans Sans, Ezra aims to increase visibility and give the transgender community a voice through typography. This custom typeface that is inspired by a
Even within the LGBTQ community, trans people are underrepresented and our voices are quieted. With Trans Sans, Ezra aims to increase visibility and give the transgender community a voice through typography. This custom typeface that is inspired by a set of gender symbols calls attention to the diversity within the community, and also expresses the unity and solidarity of the group. #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition
Ezra Dufair is a graphic designer who is interested in spatial and typeface design. They've known they wanted to be an artist from a young age, and found graphic design in college. As a queer artist, they aim bring voice to spaces that are often over
Ezra Dufair is a graphic designer who is interested in spatial and typeface design. They've known they wanted to be an artist from a young age, and found graphic design in college. As a queer artist, they aim bring voice to spaces that are often overlooked or talked over. They’re very detail oriented and will take the extra time to make sure that their craft is as precise as it can be. #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition
I believe in you pal. We ALL believe in you. Ezra tries to make their workspace at home as similar as possible to their studio space at school. This helps to get Ezra into a mindset that allows them to produce important work. #homeworkspace #organi
I believe in you pal. We ALL believe in you. Ezra tries to make their workspace at home as similar as possible to their studio space at school. This helps to get Ezra into a mindset that allows them to produce important work. #homeworkspace #organized #desk #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition
Aimée Harting is a graphic designer from St. Louis, Missouri. She loves dogs, drinking black iced americanos, buying more plants, and playing animal crossing. Aimée is influenced by art, making things with her hands, and playing with th
Aimée Harting is a graphic designer from St. Louis, Missouri. She loves dogs, drinking black iced americanos, buying more plants, and playing animal crossing. Aimée is influenced by art, making things with her hands, and playing with this analogue to digital cycle. This process is implemented into her design work. She believes in delivering tools and resources to the audiences that need it the most. A variety of projects take on this mindset of helpfulness. For example, bringing stimming techniques to those who are restless or those who struggle with attention span. #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition #dogs #coffee #plants #resources
Aimée requires an organized space to be able to focus on work each day. It’s critical to her process to utilize to-do lists to anchor her tasks and provide some mental clarity. Headphones are always nearby to be able to work on podcasts
Aimée requires an organized space to be able to focus on work each day. It’s critical to her process to utilize to-do lists to anchor her tasks and provide some mental clarity. Headphones are always nearby to be able to work on podcasts and/ or music. A laptop and a monitor is her prefered method for working on digital work. #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition #organized #todolists #music #podcasts
Stimming is the repetition of visuals, sounds, touch, smell, and movements to regulate over stimulation. An example of this is tapping your pencil during class. Aimee's degree project is aiming to introduce people to their existing stims and show the
Stimming is the repetition of visuals, sounds, touch, smell, and movements to regulate over stimulation. An example of this is tapping your pencil during class. Aimee's degree project is aiming to introduce people to their existing stims and show them how this could be a useful technique to help them in their day to day. Stimming can help you focus during class, calm anxiety, and work out extra energy. #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition #stims #fidgets #anxiety
Under the current stay at home order Nick’s work space has been moved to his home. Working from home has never really been an issue for Nick, all throughout highschool he has had a workspace in his bedroom. Although working from home has it&rsq
Under the current stay at home order Nick’s work space has been moved to his home. Working from home has never really been an issue for Nick, all throughout highschool he has had a workspace in his bedroom. Although working from home has it’s benefits Nick has been struggling with the separation of work and home life. To maintain a healthy attitude Nick has been rearranging the layout of his work space weekly, he says this allows him maintain a fresh outlook on his work and keeps him from feeling trapped by his environment. #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition #homeworkspace #balance #refresh
Through the creation of Better Together, Nick is creating a platform that helps artists in isolated communities create a voice for their own small community. Through the sharing of work and collaboration between different communities and artists, Bet
Through the creation of Better Together, Nick is creating a platform that helps artists in isolated communities create a voice for their own small community. Through the sharing of work and collaboration between different communities and artists, Better Together provides a space that throws all of the modern conventions of popular social media sites. By restricting interactions between users to comments and messaging, these interactions become more thoughtful and productive rather than simply hitting a like button to show your interest. #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition #smalltown #collaboration #bettertogether
Nickolas Kee is a graphic designer from Saint Louis, Missouri. Nick moved to Kansas City in 2016 to begin his education at The Kansas City Art Institute. He found design when he was 16 years old, Nick started learning photoshop to create graphics for
Nickolas Kee is a graphic designer from Saint Louis, Missouri. Nick moved to Kansas City in 2016 to begin his education at The Kansas City Art Institute. He found design when he was 16 years old, Nick started learning photoshop to create graphics for small social media influencers and found himself wanting to learn more and more about what graphic design truly was. Nick spends most of his time illustrating, creating motion graphics, and admiring and reimaging popular architectural renders and drafts. Nick’s work is heavily influenced and inspired by modern spatial and interactive design projects. #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition #photoshop #illustration #motiongraphics #architecture #spatialdesign
Because many black women and their accomplishments have been forgotten, yet they helped pave the way for others to create change. #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition
Because many black women and their accomplishments have been forgotten, yet they helped pave the way for others to create change. #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition
Kaylynn Pitts is a graphic designer who was born and raised in the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She loves spending time with her family, listening to Jazz music, and reading poetry. As a child, she loved to create different types of environments through
Kaylynn Pitts is a graphic designer who was born and raised in the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She loves spending time with her family, listening to Jazz music, and reading poetry. As a child, she loved to create different types of environments through drawing and building. In high school, she realized in pursuing a degree in graphic design would lead her to designing multi-cultural world that would inspire change for young female designers. #jazz #poetry #building #multicultural #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition
Kaylynn’s workspace at school was a place where she creates, imagines, and dreams by placing stuff on the wall, building, and having a desk space. Since COVID-19, Kaylynn is challenged to design purely through her computer, pen, and notebook. A
Kaylynn’s workspace at school was a place where she creates, imagines, and dreams by placing stuff on the wall, building, and having a desk space. Since COVID-19, Kaylynn is challenged to design purely through her computer, pen, and notebook. As she adjusts to this new reality, Kaylynn is able to find new inspiration and magic in her work. #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition
The Class of 2020 is ready for you world! A million times thank you to everyone who has helped us get here.
In four short hours, yestodesign.online will be live and open to the public. To hear more from the class of 2020, the Yes* identity and brand exploration, and the projects within the exhibition, click the zoom link in our bio at 4 o’clock today
The countdown begins to the launch of the class of 2020 senior exhibition, Yes*. LINK IN BIO to access the zoom link at 4 PM today. As a graphic designer, spending hours on end staring at a screen is inevitable. To avoid getting burnt out, Maddie says that natural lighting and fresh air makes a huge difference. Opening up windows and letting some sunshine come through makes worki For her senior degree project, Maddie is exploring the topic of emotional abuse. This project has allowed her to open up about personal experiences, connect with others, and ultimately grow as a person. Through extensive research, she strives to teac Maddie Hollingsworth is a designer and illustrator from St. Louis. She moved to Kansas City after graduating from St. Charles Community College to further her education at KCAI. As a kid, Maddie spent the majority of her days sitting at the kitchen t Even within the LGBTQ community, trans people are underrepresented and our voices are quieted. With Trans Sans, Ezra aims to increase visibility and give the transgender community a voice through typography. This custom typeface that is inspired by a Ezra Dufair is a graphic designer who is interested in spatial and typeface design. They've known they wanted to be an artist from a young age, and found graphic design in college. As a queer artist, they aim bring voice to spaces that are often over I believe in you pal. We ALL believe in you. Ezra tries to make their workspace at home as similar as possible to their studio space at school. This helps to get Ezra into a mindset that allows them to produce important work. #homeworkspace #organi Aimée Harting is a graphic designer from St. Louis, Missouri. She loves dogs, drinking black iced americanos, buying more plants, and playing animal crossing. Aimée is influenced by art, making things with her hands, and playing with th Aimée requires an organized space to be able to focus on work each day. It’s critical to her process to utilize to-do lists to anchor her tasks and provide some mental clarity. Headphones are always nearby to be able to work on podcasts Stimming is the repetition of visuals, sounds, touch, smell, and movements to regulate over stimulation. An example of this is tapping your pencil during class. Aimee's degree project is aiming to introduce people to their existing stims and show the Under the current stay at home order Nick’s work space has been moved to his home. Working from home has never really been an issue for Nick, all throughout highschool he has had a workspace in his bedroom. Although working from home has it&rsq Through the creation of Better Together, Nick is creating a platform that helps artists in isolated communities create a voice for their own small community. Through the sharing of work and collaboration between different communities and artists, Bet Nickolas Kee is a graphic designer from Saint Louis, Missouri. Nick moved to Kansas City in 2016 to begin his education at The Kansas City Art Institute. He found design when he was 16 years old, Nick started learning photoshop to create graphics for Because many black women and their accomplishments have been forgotten, yet they helped pave the way for others to create change. #graphicdesign #classof2020 #yestodesign #kcmo #kcai #graphicdesignstudentwork #BFA #onlineexhibition Kaylynn Pitts is a graphic designer who was born and raised in the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She loves spending time with her family, listening to Jazz music, and reading poetry. As a child, she loved to create different types of environments through Kaylynn’s workspace at school was a place where she creates, imagines, and dreams by placing stuff on the wall, building, and having a desk space. Since COVID-19, Kaylynn is challenged to design purely through her computer, pen, and notebook. A
KCAI Design Pride
Students to Watch in 2018 – Graphic Design USA
Students to Watch in 2018 – Graphic Design USA

A big congratulations to KCAI’s own Devon Wolfe and Caylie Hausman as GDUSA’s 2018 Students to Watch! Way to go!

Read more →
Student Profile: Tori Wheeler | MICA Graphic Design
Student Profile: Tori Wheeler | MICA Graphic Design
Read more →
Best of Show goes to Lauren Taylor!
Best of Show goes to Lauren Taylor!

Winner winner!!! Best of show and a gold. On to nationals!

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How An Art Degree Helped Launch Kansas City-Based Health Food Company Rawxies
How An Art Degree Helped Launch Kansas City-Based Health Food Company Rawxies

KCAI Graphic Design alum, Callie England '08, credits her art background with the success of her vegan snack food line, Rawxies.

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Lauren Taylor wins 4 at Addys!
Lauren Taylor wins 4 at Addys!

Lauren Taylor '16 won 4 of the 10 student awards at the American Advertising Federation gala. Next time you see her be sure to tell her how awesome she is. 

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KC STUDIO interview with Kelly Ludwig about her "obsession"
KC STUDIO interview with Kelly Ludwig about her "obsession"

KC collector (and KCAI GD assistant professor) Kelly Ludwig is hooked on “purity and rawness” of works by untrained artists.

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KCAI names one of 2016 Top Design Schools by Graphic Design USA
KCAI names one of 2016 Top Design Schools by Graphic Design USA

Immediately after GDUSA published its annual roundup of Students To Watch (including our own Kristen Ashton '17 and Myles Thompson '16), they named KCAI as one of the top design schools in the nation.

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Students to Watch in 2016 – Graphic Design USA
Students to Watch in 2016 – Graphic Design USA

A big congratulations to KCAI’s own Kristen Ashton and Myles Thompson as GDUSA’s 2016 Students to Watch! Way to go!

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Tessa Canon designs the Frank Lloyd Wright Quarterly
Tessa Canon designs the Frank Lloyd Wright Quarterly

As the Graphic Design Fellow at the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Tessa Canon '14, is the Creative Director of the Frank Lloyd Wright Quarterly magazine.

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Lauren Taylor to represent at ADDYs with 4 projects
Lauren Taylor to represent at ADDYs with 4 projects

Lauren Taylor '16 just received word that 4 (yes 4) of her projects have gotten into the American Advertising Federation Awards (ADDYs). Winners (well, they are all winners) will be announced on Feb 20.

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Elizabeth Martinez wins a Philly Award
Elizabeth Martinez wins a Philly Award

Elizabeth Martinez (major plus, print making & graphic design) won the prestigious Philly Award this fall for her design of the annual report for the Youth Volunteer Corp at the Guadalupe Centers.

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2015 Flux Competitions — KCAI GD winners!
2015 Flux Competitions — KCAI GD winners!

A big congratulations to Larry Fulcher & Lauren Taylor for their award-winning design work in the national 2015 Flux competition.

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KCAI GD Alum, Jerry Eisterhold in KC Studio magazine

Noted exhibition designer and KCAI graphic design alum Jerry Eisterhold is also a producer of award-winning Missouri wines. (He has also hired a number of KCAI graduates.)

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KCAI named one of the top 10 graphic design schools in the Midwest
KCAI named one of the top 10 graphic design schools in the Midwest

Animation Career Review just published their list of top 10 graphic design schools in the Midwest and KCAI was ranked as in the 3% of schools considered.

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Tori Wheeler accepted to study at MICA Exchange Program
Tori Wheeler accepted to study at MICA Exchange Program

Tori Wheeler '17 was recently accepted to study at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She will continue her studies this spring in the graphic design department at the Baltimore campus.

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Designalogue (Internships & opportunities)
freelance opportunity // district row sign and brochure
Logo Design Competition Opportunity // Graphic Communications Workforce Coalition
internship // the sewing labs
Global Service Jam Kansas City
internships galore!!!
freelance opportunity // logos for umkc
bright shiny design objects
A Typeface That Stitches Together Haute Couture, A.M. Cassandre, and Midcentury Geometric Fonts
A Typeface That Stitches Together Haute Couture, A.M. Cassandre, and Midcentury Geometric Fonts
Ear Candy!!! aka: (more) Podcasts
Ear Candy!!! aka: (more) Podcasts
thats-all
Let's Get Professional: Email Sign-Off Etiquette
Design & Spirituality: Aligning Design and Beliefs
Design & Spirituality: Aligning Design and Beliefs
Women in UX: Sarah Doody
Women in UX: Sarah Doody
Worst Technology Fails of All Time (according to Time)
Worst Technology Fails of All Time (according to Time)
Typography: Your New Friends from Kerozen
Typography: Your New Friends from Kerozen
Laser Etched Type: Purely Conceptual
Laser Etched Type: Purely Conceptual
Ear Candy!!! aka: Podcasts
Ear Candy!!! aka: Podcasts
Typographers You Should Know! (According to MyModernMet)
Typographers You Should Know! (According to MyModernMet)