Program Overview

Design and Visual Communication, BFA

The Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Design and Visual Communication offers students autonomy and agency in the face of an ever-changing cultural landscape. The study of graphic design, design methodologies, modes of production, and design histories, provides our students with the skillsets required to actively participate in visual culture, commerce, and communication.

Overview

Deeply rooted in community and focused on experimentation and collaboration, our dynamic DVC curriculum meets each student where they're at to foster self-expression, empathy, visual literacy, strategy, and a critical approach to the creation and production of a wide array of design artifacts and touch points.

Requirements

• Total Credits: 123
  • University Core: 45
  • First Year Program: 15
  • Art & Design Core: 15
  • Degree Requirements: 48

University Core

• General Education Requirements
• Competencies
• English Parts A & B
• Math Parts A & B
• Foreign Language
• Distribution Requirements
• ARTHIST 101: Ancient and Medieval Art and Architecture
• ARTHIST 102: Renaissance to Modern Art and Architecture
• Social Science
• Natural Science
• Cultural Diversity
• Electives
• General Electives outside PSOA
• Art & Design History
• ART 124: Design Survey
• ART 309: Issues in Contemporary Art
• Select 3 areas in PSOA outside Art & Design

First Year Program

• ART 101: Drawing I
• ART 106: Art Survey: Creative Practice, Culture and Context
• ART 108: 2D Studio: Concept, Color and Composition
• ART 109: 3D Studio: Form, Idea and Technique
• ART 118: Digital Arts: Culture, Theory, Practice

Art & Design Core

• 200-level Studio Requirements
• ART 221: Introduction to Design
• ART 223: Introduction to Typography
• 200-level Studio Electives
• Critical Thinking
• ART 509: Art & Design Seminar

Design and Visual Communication Major Requirements

• Required Core Sequence
  • ART 321: Design and Visual Communication I
  • ART 323: Typography II
  • ART 421: Design and Visual Communication II
  • ART 422: Design Methodologies: Process, Communication & Theory
• Required Interaction Design Course
  • ART 324: Web Design
• Interaction Design Electives
• Required Professional Practice
• Design and Visual Communication Electives
• Capstone Course
  • ART 529: Design & Visual Communication III: Capstone & Exhibition
• Art and Design Electives

Design and Visual Communication Portfolio Review

All DVC-intended students are required to participate in the annual Portfolio Review after completing ART 124 Design Survey, ART 221 Introduction to Design, and ART 223 Introduction to Typography.

Plan of Study

A recommended four-year sequence for Design & Visual Communication BFA is provided, outlining the courses to be taken each semester.

Art & Design Undergraduate Admission Requirements

To be admitted in good standing, applicants must meet general University requirements.

Art & Design Undergraduate Incoming and Transfer Student Scholarship Portfolio Submissions

Applicants to the Art & Design program are strongly encouraged to submit a portfolio of artworks and additional supporting materials for review by the Art & Design Scholarship Committee.

Advancement to Major

Students accepted into the Art & Design program receive priority registration over non-art majors. To advance to the Art & Design major, students must complete the requirements outlined, including First Year Program courses, Oral and Written Communications Competency Part A, Quantitative Literacy Competency Part A, and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Advising

Academic advising is an important aspect of long-term academic success. The Peck School of the Arts offers professional advising in the undergraduate disciplines of art.

Honors in the Major

Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a GPA of 3.500 or greater in the major and the academic department's recommendation.