Visual Design, Graphic Design (BFA)

Program Overview

The Graphic Design-Visual Design concentration emphasizes contemporary design principles, combining traditional and digital techniques to foster creative and marketable graduates. Students master formal elements, craftsmanship, conceptualization, and critical analysis through hands-on projects and coursework in design history, digital media, and social responsibility. The program prepares graduates for a range of professions within the graphic design field, ensuring they meet current industry standards.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Graphic Design–Visual Design concentration focuses on current and professional industry standards within graphic design. This illustration-based degree combines traditional hands-on media with digital techniques. The program, mirroring real-world design studios, is a fast-paced environment. Students will learn traditional layout design, composition, screenprinting, drawing, graphic design art history, CNC routing, all applied to design. These areas are combined with conceptual skills to make graduates marketable.

Objectives:

Graduates of this major will be able to:

• Interpret and apply formal elements and principles of design.
(Specialized Knowledge)
• Demonstrate proper use of tools, materials, techniques, and proper use and care for equipment through quality craftsmanship.
(Applied Learning)
• Generate individual response through concept and relevant sources of information to create personal content.
• Communicate clearly regarding the critical analysis of art and design both historical and contemporary.
(Critical Thinking/ Communication Fluency)
• Reflect on and respond to ethical, social, civil, and/or environmental challenges as they relate to art, design, and new media.
(Personal and Social Responsibility)
• Design and publish a professional portfolio that meets current industry standards.
(Applied Learning)
• Demonstrate technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on the application of the design process.
(Specialized Knowledge)

Teaching:

The program boasts two Graphic Design computer labs each furnished with Apple computers and the latest graphic design application software.

Careers:

The successful Graphic Design degree candidate is prepared to enter professions within graphic design including advertising design, web design, package design, illustration, marketing, and a myriad of related fields.

Other:

• Entry in the program is contingent upon the successful completion of a portfolio review and exam during the sophomore year.
• A portfolio capstone course prepares students upon graduation for employment with a portfolio designed to gain employment.
• Students can be a part of a community of student designers involved in graphic design activities and field trips locally, nationally, and abroad.
• Entering students are encouraged to pay close attention to course sequencing and consult their advisor in order to complete the degree in four years.
• No more than 6 semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
• In an effort to meet industry standards, Macintosh computers are used exclusively in all computer-based ARTG courses.
• Majors are strongly advised to consider purchasing a Macintosh and related print and web publication software for personal use.
• ARTG 300-level courses and ARTG 400-level courses may be taken upon acceptance into the Graphic Design Program.
• Admission in the program after the sophomore year will be contingent upon the student’s satisfying the following requirements:
• Completion of Graphic Design Admission Application Form.
• Completion of ARTE 101 Two-Dimensional Design, ARTE 102 Three-Dimensional Design, ARTG 215 Graphic Design I, ARTG 221 Graphic Design II, and ARTG 222 Illustration I with a grade of B or A.
• A grade of B or A in all coursework in the major.
• Successful completion of the Graphic Design entrance exam with a minimum score of 80%.
• Portfolio Review comprised of Graphic Design work that meets the established Portfolio Review Criteria.
• Transfer students must pass the Portfolio Review and entrance exam to be formally accepted into the Graphic Design Program.
resource.
• All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy.