Program Overview

Graphic Design Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (BFA)

The Graphic Design Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (BFA) is a comprehensive program that introduces students to the principles of graphic design, visual culture, and creative expression. The program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the technical and creative aspects of graphic design, preparing them for a successful career in the industry.

College and Program Learning Objectives

The program aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of graphic design principles, visual culture, and creative expression. The learning objectives of the program include:

• Developing technical proficiency in graphic design software and technologies
• Understanding the principles of visual design, color theory, and typography
• Applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills to design projects
• Creating effective visual communications that convey messages and ideas
• Preparing students for a successful career in the graphic design industry

Course Requirements

The program requires students to complete a minimum of 120 semester credit hours, including:

Major Core Courses

• GRD1100 Graphic Design Principles (3 Credits): Introduces two-dimensional design and color theory, exploring the elements and principles of design, color, and light in the creative process.
• GRD1101 Photoshop and Digital Graphics (3 Credits): Investigates the principles of visual design using Adobe Photoshop, emphasizing creative expression, technical proficiency, and critical thinking.
• GRD1102 Illustrator and Digital Graphics (3 Credits): Surveys the world of vector-based design and illustration using Adobe Illustrator, exploring the unique capabilities of vector graphics.
• GRD1105 Painting (3 Credits): Approaches two-dimensional theory through the freeform and experiential painterly process, recreating and building on elements of design in a painterly manner.
• GRD1170 Drawing (3 Credits): Develops drawing skills for graphic design and the visual arts, including genres of fine art such as observation of the human figure in composition.
• GRD1190 Typography I (3 Credits): Introduces the history, physical attributes, family classification, terminology, and structural aspects of type, exploring typography as a medium that conveys aesthetic, emotional, and intellectual meaning.
• GRD2205 Three-Dimensional Design (3 Credits): Focuses on spatial organization, transforming two-dimensional ideas into three-dimensional experiences, exploring balance, form, and volume.
• GRD2210 Graphic Design in Visual Culture (3 Credits): Traces the development of visual communication from the first cave paintings to present-day digital marketing, examining how cultural and technological developments have affected our viewpoints of the relationship and use of images and typography.
• GRD2220 3D Design and Modeling (3 Credits): Introduces 3D modeling, rendering, and lighting techniques using Autodesk Maya, gaining hands-on experience in building 3D models, applying lighting techniques, and rendering scenes.
• GRD2226 Professional Development Seminar (3 Credits): Investigates the landscape of career opportunities within the design industry, providing practical skills in resume writing, interviewing, and job searching.
• GRD2230 Digital Photography and Creative Media (3 Credits): Introduces the basic concepts, terminology, and applications of digital photography, exploring the creative transformation of images for effective visual communication.
• GRD2233 Web Design (3 Credits): Introduces foundational web technologies and languages, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, learning to create responsive websites and optimize images and graphics for speed and aesthetics.
• GRD2240 Digital Publishing (3 Credits): Explores the integration of type and images in digital page layouts and multiple-page projects, emphasizing the application of industry-standard software for both print and digital output.
• GRD2290 Typography II (3 Credits): Develops the skills acquired in Typography I, incorporating type as a decorative element to produce creative marketable design results.
• GRD3305 Design Production (3 Credits): Emphasizes a comprehensive exploration of design production techniques, mastering pre-press operations, color separations, file formats, and color modes.
• GRD3360 Packaging Design (3 Credits): Covers the practical and creative aspects of packaging from concept to completion, designing and constructing packaging using industry-standard methods.
• GRD3395 Branding (3 Credits): Acquaints students with the various aspects of branding and brand identity design, exploring brand values, storytelling, tone, and other components of the brand development process.
• GRD4400 Animation Foundations (3 Credits): Explores the foundation of animation, including the basic concepts of animation and what makes things move, covering X, Y, and Z planes, keyframes, animation paths, hierarchies, pivots, and rotation.
• GRD4405 Motion Graphics (3 Credits): Explores motion graphics, focusing on theoretical and practical applications, utilizing industry software to apply motion theory, typography, and color theory.
• GRD4410 Publication Design (3 Credits): Explores publication design procedures and techniques, from planning to production, researching and analyzing graphic design in multi-page publications.
• GRD3315 UI/UX Design (3 Credits): Explores aspects of user interface design engineering, preparing concepts that utilize the principles of design, typography, color, and problem-solving skills.
• GRD4420 Game Design (3 Credits): Introduces the theory and practice of game creation and design for interactive home entertainment, arcade games, education, and multiplayer online environments.
• GRD4425 Social Media Design (3 Credits): Introduces design applications and implementation of social media concepts from the lens of a User Interface and User Experience designer.
• GRD4455 Capstone Research (3 Credits): Offers students an opportunity to conduct independent research on a topic of their choosing, devising a strategic plan for their upcoming Senior Showcase project.
• GRD4460 Capstone Project (3 Credits): Engages students in the hands-on production of their creative endeavors, marking the pinnacle of their academic journey and showcasing their design expertise in a public exhibition.
• GRD4470 Special Topics in Graphic Design (3 Credits): Explores diverse subjects in graphic design, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of concepts presented and culminating in the creation of polished, portfolio-ready projects.
• GRD4481 Portfolio (3 Credits): Provides a studio and critique workshop, editing, creating, adding, highlighting, and refining projects to meet industry standards and promote individual graphic design skills.
• GRD4483 Internship (3 Credits): Provides a field-based internship experience, acquiring career/professional skills within the graphic design industry.

Liberal Arts and Science Core Courses

• ENG1105 Writing and Research (3 Credits): Introduces expository writing through a comprehensive survey of forms of composition, teaching students to use words with precision and strengthen their understanding and application of grammatical and rhetorical principles.
• ENG2205 Writing Through Literature (3 Credits): Further develops the writing, reading, and interpretive abilities introduced in ENG1105, critically engaging with literary texts from a myriad of genres.
• ENG3316 The Confident Writer (3 Credits): Explores a wide variety of non-fiction writing genres, including personal profile, journalism, criticism, and more, building reading, writing, and researching skills.
• HUM2225 Introduction to Ethics (3 Credits): Introduces the study of ethics and moral philosophy, including its historical development, major figures, and ethical and moral issues that face us today.
• MAT2211 College Algebra (3 Credits): Introduces students to solving problems by using geometric and algebraic approaches, covering topics such as the Cartesian coordinate system, linear equations, absolute value, rational and exponential functions, systems of linear equations, linear inequalities, logarithms, and polynomials.
• SOC1123 First Year Experience (3 Credits): Explores the challenges students most frequently face in pursuing and achieving a college degree, identifying perceived challenges, sharing critical insights, and implementing a plan of action to address and overcome such challenges.
• SOC2231 Human Relations (3 Credits): Develops the interpersonal skills known to be key ingredients for successful everyday interactions, focusing on the challenges of workplace relationships involving coworkers, supervisors, and customers/clients.

Program Requirements

The program requires students to complete a minimum of 120 semester credit hours, including major core courses, liberal arts and science core courses, and electives. Students must also obtain specific supplies, the cost of which totals approximately $150.00.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must complete all required courses, including major core courses, liberal arts and science core courses, and electives, with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Students must also complete a capstone project and portfolio, demonstrating their design expertise and readiness for a career in the graphic design industry.