Major in Graphic Design

By creating an avenue for students to learn to effectively communicate in visual medium, a major in graphic design prepares students for professional fields in illustration, advertising, marketing, public affairs and media-based careers.

Intended for students who wish to enter into a graphic design profession after graduation, the major in graphic design provides the educational framework, experiential training—evidenced through a full portfolio—and professional preparedness necessary to compete in today’s market.

Core Curriculum

• ART 113 Introduction to Art Software
• ART 115 Drawing Studio
• ART 120 Painting Studio
• ART 125 Design Studio
• ART 341 Survey History of Western Art
• ART 342 Survey History of Modern Art
• ART 443 Issues in Contemporary Art: Theory and Practice Beyond the Modern
• ART 490 Capstone Course/BFA Capstone Course (requires a mandatory pre-capstone meeting)
• ART 491 Capstone Exhibition/BFA Capstone Exhibition

Select one course from the following in Non-European art history:

• ART 353 Survey of Latin American Art
• ART 373 Survey of Non-European Art
• ART 375 American Indian and Ancient American Art
• ART 376 Art of India

Major Requirements

• Core Curriculum
• ART 216 Introduction to Graphic Design
• ART 226 Typography Studio
• ART 316 Graphic Design I
• ART 326 Graphic Design II
• ART 416 Advanced Graphic Design
• ART 426 Advanced Topics in Graphic Design

Take Your Degree to The Next Level

Students who wish to pursue a BFA in graphic design must achieve acceptance into the BFA program and fulfill all of the above criteria, plus take ART 235 and four additional courses at the 300/400-level. These additional upper-level studios may be selected from the list of graphic design electives, or from another area of concentration within the department.

Suggested Course Sequence

Students pursuing the B.F.A. in graphic design will also need to incorporate the required extra courses into the following proposed plan of study.