Program Overview

Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design and Media

About

The B.S. in Graphic Design & Media will prepare students for careers in design and creative visual media fields. The program’s rigorous sequenced curriculum emphasizes hands-on design practice, integrating the building of formal and technical skills with critical analysis, theory, and research. Students will learn the professional skills and competencies necessary to compete in the global marketplace for graphic arts, media and visual design.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.S. in Graphic Design & Media, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate fluency in technology and state of the art software applications used in design professions.
• Employ a workflow strategy appropriate to the technical and creative needs of a given context.
• Analyze and critically respond to examples of design verbally and in written form.
• Apply research to identify and focus design problems, in the context of a client and audience relationship.
• Apply multiple ideation and analytical strategies throughout the design process.
• Formulate original and appropriate design responses to observed conditions or cultural contexts.
• Assemble a competitive portfolio of quality works of design and media appropriate to the student’s focus and career goals. The portfolio works will demonstrate a range of creative strategies and original solutions effective within identified design, communication, and social contexts.

Career Possibilities

• Graphic Designer
• Web Designer
• Communications Specialist
• Publication Designer
• Multimedia Designer
• Art Director
• Creative Director
• Advertising Designer
• Motion Graphics Specialist
• Animator
• Concept Artist
• Visual Marketing Director
• Environmental Designer
• UI Specialist
• Brand Manager
• Photo Imaging Specialist
• Infographics Designer
• Typographer
• Illustrator

Requirements

Program Application Requirements

Each spring, a panel of Graphic Design faculty will review the work of qualifying students for acceptance into the Graphic Design & Media program. Students who are selected to the program may continue taking the remaining Graphic Design & Media core courses. Students who are not recommended for the program may either change majors or reapply the following year. Students may apply for the program up to two times.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Required Courses

In order to qualify for the Graphic Design Program Portfolio Review, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.3 in all Art- and Design-related coursework. The students must have completed and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in the following prerequisites courses in order to apply to the program with at least a 2.3 GPA in each:

• ART 101 Drawing I
• ART 107 Design Fundamentals I
• ART 108 Design Fundamentals II-3D
• ART 156 Design Fundamentals III
• GRC 210 Typography I
• GRC 250 Design & Media Studio I

Students are encouraged to meet with a College of Fine Arts advisor—with their transcript or degree worksheet—the semesters prior to application in order to discuss course progression. Students can retake prerequisite courses in which they do not receive a 2.3 GPA in order to meet the course requirements must retake courses and meet the GPA standards before applying to the Graphic Design Program. Students also should be enrolled in, or already completed, GRC 320 Design Methods and Research at the time of application.

Transfer students must meet with a College of Fine Arts advisor—with their transcript—the semester prior to application in order to determine course equivalencies. Transfer students must also meet with the Graphic Design Program Coordinator, with their current portfolio of work, to assess the design projects developed thus far. Students who do not meet the course equivalencies and do not possess a portfolio of comparable work will be advised to take prescribed courses in order to meet the program requirements.

Portfolio and Application

After confirming that the course requirements have been met, students may apply for the Graphic Design & Media program by submitting a portfolio that includes the following:

• A portfolio of projects completed within Graphic Design & Media core courses.
• Supportive work from other art or design-related courses or projects created outside of the university.

Specifications for the portfolio application and the deadline of application will first be announced during the Fall semester each year. Applications are due early in the Spring semester.

Degree Requirements

General Education Requirements - Subtotal: 38-46 Credits

• First-Year Seminar - Credits: 3
• English Composition - Credits: 6
• Second-Year Seminar - Credits: 3
• Constitutions - Credits: 4-6
• Mathematics - Credits: 3
• Distribution Requirement - Credits: 19
• Multicultural and International- Credits: 0-6 credits

Major Requirements - BS in Graphic Design and Media - Subtotal: 69

• Communications - Credits: 3
• Foundation Requirements - Credits: 21
• Design Program Requirements - Credits: 24
• Design Electives - Credits: 9
• Art or Design Electives - Credits: 3
• Capstone Requirement - Credits: 3
• Art History Requirements - Credits: 6

General Electives - Credits: 5-13

Credits to be selected in consultation with advisor.

Total Credits: 120

Of the 120 credits required, 39 of these must be in upper-division course work (300-400).