Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
The BFA in Graphic Design is an intensive, professionally oriented, studio-based program that prepares students for entering the job market or for continuing their education at the graduate level. The program is a challenging course of study and practice built upon fundamental principles designed to develop your technical skills, advance your visual literacy, stimulate your intellectual curiosity, sharpen your aesthetic conceptualization and expand your ability to think critically. Graphic design is problem-solving through visual communication, the interaction of words and images to inform, educate, persuade and/or advocate. Our program selectively combines elements of traditional studio instruction with design principles to create projects in branding, publication, user/consumer experience and other areas related to the field.
Development of visualization skills, creativity, conceptual thinking, compositional layout and typography form the cornerstone of the program. Each successive course builds in complexity to encompass technical, conceptual, and research challenges that culminates with upper-level courses devoted to professional practice. Historical perspectives and ethical concerns are discussed throughout the program. The program and curriculum aim to enable students to become innovative, intelligent and responsible designers that are prepared for the job market in the 21st century.
This program is invitation only; students prepare for entry into the degree-track during the Foundations Program and Studio Core, which, upon completion, culminates in the ART 299 Junior Portfolio Review, where faculty review their skill acquisition level and accomplishments. Students earning a "B" or higher in the review are invited to pursue the professionally focused BFA in Graphic Design degree.
Professional internships are available and encouraged.
Degree Requirements
Foundations:
| ART 102 | Foundations: Drawing | 4 |
| ART 103 | Foundations: Materials & Methods | 2 |
| ART 104 | Foundations: 2-D Design | 4 |
| ART 105 | Foundations: 3-D Design | 4 |
| ART 110 | Foundations: Digital Arts | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Studio Core
Four of the following media:
ONE of the following drawing courses:
ONE of the following 3-D courses:
| ART 261 | Sculpture Mold-Making and Casting I | 4 |
| ART 262 | Experimental Sculpture I | 4 |
ONE of the following painting courses:
ONE of the following photography courses:
ONE of the following printmaking courses:
History/Theory
Seminar and Review
| ART 298 | Professional Seminar | 2 |
| ART 299 | Junior Portfolio Review | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 2 |
Graphic Design
Graphic Design Electives
Fourteen-credits from the following:
Total Credit Hours: 82
A minimum "C" must be earned in all major coursework.