Graphic Design - Bachelor of Fine Arts

Program Total Credits: 123

Graphic Design students and faculty are engaged in a collaborative process of exploring new knowledge as it emerges within our media-saturated environment. Because graphic design lies at the ever-changing intersection of design, media, and culture, the department’s goal is to prepare its graduates with flexibility and transportable knowledge in which communication pathways may have shifted between their first classes and their graduation. In this three-year program, students will be engaged in design problems that also investigate human perception, media behaviors, audience attitudes, and the dynamics of team-based work. In addition, individual expertise is acquired through directed studies in typography, drawing, photography, and emergent media. The curriculum is supplemented by special lecture programs, workshops with invited design firms, on-site studio seminars in selected design offices and studios, paper and printing plants, museums and libraries, and with film and computer graphic producers.

Foundation Year Credits: 33

All Freshman students (and transfer students who lack sufficient background in the visual arts and design) enter the 18-credit Foundation core program that includes courses in drawing, two-dimensional design, three-dimensional design and time-motion studies. The Foundation program introduces the basic language and processes of the visual arts and prepares the students for entry into a major department. Through Freshman elective course offerings, students are introduced to major course options and opportunities offered by the College of Art and Design.

Foundation students are eligible to select any College of Art and Design major program regardless of the Foundation sequence they complete.

FOUNDATION

Fall Credits: 16.5

FNDP 111 - Drawing Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
FNDP 151 - Two-dimensional Design Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
FNDP 161 - Three-dimensional Design/Time Motion Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
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LAAH 111 - Art History Survey I Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LACR 101 - First-year Writing I Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
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ELEC X15 - Elective Course(s) Credits: 1.5 cr

Spring Credits: 16.5

Select three courses from the following four:
FNDP 112 - Drawing Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
FNDP 152 - Two-dimensional Design Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
FNDP 162 - Three-dimensional Design Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
FNDP 171 - Time and Motion Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
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LAAH 112 - Art History Survey II Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LACR 102 - First-year Writing II Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
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ELEC X15 - Elective Course(s) Credits: 1.5 cr

Sophomore Year Credits: 30

Fall Credits: 15

GDES 201 - Design Systems Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
GDES 203 - Letterform Design Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
GDES 221 - Descriptive Drawing Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
EMDI 201 - Electronic Media/Production I Credits: 1.5 cr, 3 hrs
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Select one course from the following two:
LACR 210 - Texts & Contexts: Perspectives on the Humanities Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LACR 22X - Scientific Inquiry Foundation Track (SIFT) Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
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ELEC X15 - Elective Course(s) Credits: 1.5 cr

Spring Credits: 15

GDES 202 - Design Systems Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
GDES 212 - Typography Fundamentals Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
GDES 222 - Descriptive Drawing Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
EMDI 202 - Electronic Media/Production II Credits: 1.5 cr, 3 hrs
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Select one course from the following two:
LACR 210 - Texts & Contexts: Perspectives on the Humanities Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LACR 22X - Scientific Inquiry Foundation Track (SIFT) Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
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ELEC X15 - Elective Course(s) Credits: 1.5 cr

Junior Year Credits: 30

Fall Credits: 15

GDES 301 - Communications Studio Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
GDES 311 - Typographic Systems Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
EMDI 203 - Digital Interactive Techniques Credits: 1.5 cr, 3 hrs
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LAAH 854 - History of Communication Design Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LAXX XXX - Liberal Arts Elective Course Credits: 3 cr
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ELEC X15 - Elective Course(s) Credits: 1.5 cr

Spring Credits: 15

GDES 302 - Communications Studio Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
GDES 312 - Typographic Systems Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
EMDI 204 - Advanced Digital Interactive Techniques Credits: 1.5 cr, 3 hrs
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LAXX XXX - Liberal Arts Elective Course Credits: 3 cr (Take two courses for 6 credits.)
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ELEC X15 - Elective Course(s) Credits: 1.5 cr

Senior Year Credits: 30

Fall Credits: 15

GDES 401 - Design Studio Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
GDES 403 - Problem Solving Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
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LAXX XXX - Liberal Arts Elective Course Credits: 3 cr (Take two courses for 6 credits.)
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ELEC XX3 - Elective Course(s) Credits: 3 cr

Spring Credits: 15

GDES 402 - Design Studio: Senior Project Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
GDES 404 - Problem Solving Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
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LAXX XXX - Liberal Arts Elective Course Credits: 3 cr (Take two courses for 6 credits.)
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ELEC XX3 - Elective Course(s) Credits: 3 cr

Liberal Arts Distribution

LACR 101 - First-year Writing I Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LACR 102 - First-year Writing II Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LAAH 111 - Art History Survey I Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LAAH 112 - Art History Survey II Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LAAH 854 - History of Communication Design Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LACR 210 - Texts & Contexts: Perspectives on the Humanities Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LACR 22X - Scientific Inquiry Foundation Track (SIFT) Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LAPI 8XX - Liberal Arts Period Interpretation - Pre-20th Century Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LAPI 9XX - Liberal Arts Period Interpretation - 20th Century Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LAXX XXX - Liberal Arts Elective Course Credits: 3 cr Take five courses for 15 credits.

Note:

Electives must include 9 studio credits taken outside the Graphic Design offerings.