Graphic Design Option - B.F.A.
The Graphic Design BFA option is 4-year professional degree composed of both required and elective courses within the School and supporting courses from the other departments of the College of Arts and Architecture and the University. The freshman year includes an introduction to foundational design skills, an introduction to web design, software applications, digital photography, and a survey of art history. The sophomore year focuses on developing typographic and layout skills. The junior year or "junior block" offers several courses for students to choose from in order to develop their own creative profession paths before entering their senior year. The final year in the program supports mature problem-solving with a self-directed capstone and additional professional-focused projects. The final semester in the BFA option focuses on portfolio development and the skills for job placement within the profession.
| Freshman Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | |
| ARTZ 105IA - Visual Language - Drawing | 3 | |
| ARTZ 109IA - Visual Language: Comprehensive Foundation | 3 | |
| MART 122 - Introduction to Adobe | 2 | |
| ARTH 200IA - Art of World Civilization I | 4 | |
| University Core and Electives | 3 | |
| ARTZ 110RA - Visual Language: Ideation and Creativity | 3 | |
| MART 145RA - Web Design | 3 | |
| ARTH 201IA - Art of World Civilization II | 4 | |
| PHOT 154IA - Exploring Digital Photography | 3 | |
| University Core and Electives | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 16 |
| Sophomore Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| GDSN 223 - Typography Principles | 4 | |
| Art Studio Beginning (must include one 2D and one 3D) | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 4 | |
ARTZ 211RA - Drawing I | ||
ARTZ 221 - Painting I | ||
ARTZ 231RA - Ceramics I | ||
ARTZ 251 - Sculpture I | ||
ARTZ 261 - Metals I | ||
ARTZ 271 - Printmaking I | ||
| Art History Elective | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
ARTH 302 - Survey of Ancient Art | ||
ARTH 310 - Art and Architecture of Ancient Mesoamerica | ||
ARTH 312 - History of Decorative Arts | ||
ARTH 323 - History of Printmaking | ||
ARTH 342 - Modern Art | ||
ARTH 360 - History of Asian Art and Architecture | ||
ARTH 375 - Roman, Etruscan, Greek Art in Italy | ||
ARTH 400 - Art and Architecture of Ancient Egypt | ||
ARTH 402 - Greek Art and Architecture | ||
ARTH 406 - Roman Art and Architecture | ||
ARTH 410 - Medieval Art | ||
ARTH 421 - Late Gothic Painting | ||
ARTH 422 - Early Renaissance to 15th Century Art | ||
ARTH 424 - High Renaissance and Mannerism | ||
ARTH 426 - Baroque Art in Italy and Southern Europe, 1600-1700 | ||
ARTH 427 - Baroque Art in the Netherlands | ||
ARTH 430 - 19th Century Art | ||
ARTH 432 - Art in the Age of Revolution | ||
ARTH 435 - Art of the United States | ||
ARTH 441 - Art Now | ||
ARTH 451 - Contemporary Art | ||
ARTH 460 - Contemporary Art & Ecology | ||
ARTH 461 - Art and Social Activism | ||
ARTH 491 - Special Topics | ||
| University Core and Electives | 4 | |
| Art History Elective | ||
| Choose one from the list above. | 3 | |
| GDSN 224 - Form and Content | 4 | |
| Art Studio Beginning (must include one 2D & one 3D) | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 4 | |
ARTZ 211RA - Drawing I | ||
ARTZ 221 - Painting I | ||
ARTZ 231RA - Ceramics I | ||
ARTZ 251 - Sculpture I | ||
ARTZ 261 - Metals I | ||
ARTZ 271 - Printmaking I | ||
| University Core and Electives | 4 | |
| Portfolio Review is required for all students before admittance to 300 level design courses. | ||
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Junior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| GDSN 366 - History of Graphic Design | 3 | |
| Advanced Graphic Design studio electives | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 5 | |
GDSN 367 - Identity Systems | ||
GDSN 368 - Art Direction | ||
GDSN 369 - Publication Design | ||
GDSN 371 - Motion Graphics | ||
GDSN 372 - Interaction Design | ||
GDSN 373 - Illustration | ||
GDSN 374 - Digital Visualization | ||
GDSN 375 - Letterpress | ||
GDSN 376 - Screenprinting | ||
GDSN 377 - Design for Society | ||
GDSN 378 - Guerrilla Advertising | ||
| Advanced Studio Elective | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 5 | |
ARTZ 312 - Intermediate Drawing | ||
ARTZ 322 - Intermediate Painting | ||
ARTZ 332 - Intermediate Ceramics | ||
ARTZ 352 - Intermediate Sculpture | ||
ARTZ 361 - Metals II | ||
ARTZ 373 - Intermediate Printmaking - Lithography | ||
ARTZ 374 - Intermediate Printmaking - Serigraphy | ||
ARTZ 375 - Intermediate Printmaking - Intaglio | ||
ARTZ 376 - Intermediate Printmaking - Relief | ||
ARTZ 379 - Alternative Print Media | ||
ARTZ 491 - Special Topics | ||
GDSN 492 - Independent Study | ||
GDSN 498 - Internship | ||
| University Core and Electives | 2 | |
| Semester in Italy (optional) (15) | ||
| Advanced Graphic Design studio electives | ||
| Choose two of the following: | 10 | |
GDSN 367 - Identity Systems | ||
GDSN 368 - Art Direction | ||
GDSN 369 - Publication Design | ||
GDSN 371 - Motion Graphics | ||
GDSN 372 - Interaction Design | ||
GDSN 373 - Illustration | ||
GDSN 374 - Digital Visualization | ||
GDSN 375 - Letterpress | ||
GDSN 376 - Screenprinting | ||
GDSN 377 - Design for Society | ||
GDSN 378 - Guerrilla Advertising | ||
| University Core and Electives | 5 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Senior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| GDSN 465 - Professional Studio | 5 | |
| Advanced Studio | ||
| Take one of the following: | 5 | |
ARTZ 312 - Intermediate Drawing | ||
ARTZ 322 - Intermediate Painting | ||
ARTZ 332 - Intermediate Ceramics | ||
ARTZ 352 - Intermediate Sculpture | ||
ARTZ 361 - Metals II | ||
ARTZ 373 - Intermediate Printmaking - Lithography | ||
ARTZ 374 - Intermediate Printmaking - Serigraphy | ||
ARTZ 375 - Intermediate Printmaking - Intaglio | ||
ARTZ 376 - Intermediate Printmaking - Relief | ||
ARTZ 379 - Alternative Print Media | ||
GDSN 492 - Independent Study | ||
GDSN 498 - Internship | ||
| University Core and Electives | 4 | |
| Advanced Studio | ||
| Choose one from the list above. | 5 | |
| GDSN 499 - Senior Portfolio | 5 | |
| University Core and Electives | 5 | |
| Year Total: | 14 | 15 |
| Total Program Credits: | 120 | |
All Graphic Design courses must be taken in sequence. A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.