Art—B.F.A., Concentration in Graphic Design

A graphic designer uses text, images and graphics to build on the basic elements of design: line, shape, color, and balance. Students of graphic design use their visual abilities to create functional designs for print, websites and apps. Our labs are equipped with the latest software and technology, and instructors with professional backgrounds, so students acquire both technical skills and skills of creative critical thinking, prepared to meet the demands of the professional world. This concentration leads to the development of a cohesive body of work, a professional portfolio, and BFA exhibition. 

REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRESS AND DEGREE COMPLETION

  • A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (CGPA) in Art Courses of 3.0.
  • BFA students are required to pass a Senior Review and Exhibition in order to complete the program.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

Transfer students may have up to 30 credits from an Associates in Fine Arts Degree applied to major course requirements in the BFA program if approved by a faculty advisor or the department chair.

Minimum GPA Requirement: 3.0

Required Foundation Courses:12
ART 110Two Dimensional Design3
ART 111Three Dimensional Design3
ART 115Drawing Studio I3
ART 185Computer Graphics3
Required Art History Courses: 9
ART 106Contemporary Art3
ART 131World Art II3
ART 232History of Communication Design3
Required Art History Elective (select 1 course):3
ART 120History of Photography3
ART 170Time Travel: Introduction to Time-Based Art3
ART 200Art Now3
ART 263Acts of resistance: Activists, Interlopers and Pranksters3
ART 266Women Artists3
ART 275Japanese Popular Culture and Art3
Required Art Studio Courses: 30
ART 233Preparation of Art For Printing3
ART 237Typography3
ART 283Introduction to Graphic Design3
ART 315Book & Magazine Design3
ART 334Packaging Design3
ART 343Branding Design3
ART 426Motion Graphics3
ART 446User Experience and User Interface Design3
ART 448Information Design3
ART 430Web Design3
Required Studio Art Electives (select 7 courses):21
ART 104Ceramics I3
ART 207Painting Fundamentals3
ART 214Drawing & Composition II3
ART 219Life Drawing I3
ART 222Ceramics II3
ART 224Digital Clay: Using CAD/CAM Technology to Create Ceramic Objects3
ART 227Digital Fabrication3
ART 230Photography I3
ART 235Illustration I3
ART 236Advanced Illustration3
ART 238Drawing for Designers & Illustrators3
ART 243Rendering Techniques3
ART 244Large Format Phototography3
ART 245Color Theory3
ART 280Creative Cartoons & Comics2
ART 300Portrait Painting3
ART 303Ceramics III3
ART 304Ceramic Sculpture3
ART 305Life Drawing II3
ART 307Relief Printing3
ART 309Silkscreen3
ART 310Digital Illustration I3
ART 350Photography II3
ART 352Studio Lighting3
ART 353Documentary Photo3
ART 354Photographics3
ART 357Digital Imaging Photography3
ART 358Advanced Digital Imaging3
ART 404Figure Painting3
ART 405Experimental Painting3
ART 406Advanced Ceramics3
ART 412Advanced Printmaking3
ART 425Digital Illustration II3
ART 444Photo as a Fine Art3
Required BFA Courses:6
ART 450Portfolio Preparation1
ART 465Bachelor Fine Arts Seminar1
ART 398Studio Research I2
ART 399Studio Research II2
Total Credits:81

Minimum GPA Requirement: 3.0

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
Semester 1Credits
ENGL 100 Critical Reading and Writing 3
MATH 114
Contemporary Mathematics
or Statistics I
3
ART 110 Two Dimensional Design 3
ART 115 Drawing Studio I 3
General Education Course 3
 Credits15
Semester 2
ENGL 102
Critical Writing and Research
or Critical Writing and Analysis
3
ART 111 Three Dimensional Design 3
ART 131 World Art II 3
ART 185 Computer Graphics 3
General Education Course 3
 Credits15
Sophomore
Semester 1
ART 106 Contemporary Art 3
ART 283 Introduction to Graphic Design 3
Studio Art Elective 3
Studio Art Elective 3
General Education Or ENGL 102 if ENGL 101 was taken 3
 Credits15
Semester 2
ART 232 History of Communication Design 3
ART 237 Typography 3
Studio Art Elective 3
Studio Art Elective 3
General Education Course 3
 Credits15
Junior
Semester 1
ART 233 Preparation of Art For Printing 3
ART 343 Branding Design 3
Studio Art Elective 3
Art History Elective (200-400 Level) 3
General Education Course 3
 Credits15
Semester 2
Studio Art Elective 3
ART 315 Book & Magazine Design 3
ART 334 Packaging Design 3
ART 398 Studio Research I 2
Studio Art Elective 3
General Education Course 3
 Credits17
Senior
Semester 1
ART 399 Studio Research II 2
ART 426 Motion Graphics 3
ART 430 Web Design 3
Studio Art Elective 3
General Education Course 3
General Education Capstone Course  
 Credits14
Semester 2
ART 446 User Experience and User Interface Design 3
ART 448 Information Design 3
ART 450 Portfolio Preparation 1
ART 465 Bachelor Fine Arts Seminar 1
General Education Course 3
General Education Civic Capstone 3
 Credits14
 Total Credits120

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.F.A., with a concentration in Graphic Design, students will be able to: 

  1. Compose artworks in a range of visual art studio practices with technical proficiency.
  2. Analyze formal elements of works of art, craft, and design or other items of material culture.
  3. Interpret works of art in light of the social and historic context in which they were produced.
  4. Develop a professional art/design portfolio.
  5. Produce an art/design exhibition thesis.