COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design is a professional degree that prepares students for careers as practicing graphic designers or for continued graduate study in the field. The program requires completion of University, College, and departmental requirements, including general education coursework and a structured sequence of studio, art history, and graphic design courses, totaling at least 120 semester hours. The curriculum begins with foundational BFA core courses such as Drawing I and II, 2D and 3D Design, Color Theory and Application, and Introduction to Digital Photography, along with a range of studio art electives that strengthen technical and conceptual artistic skills. Students also complete art history coursework through Survey of Art I and II and additional upper-level art history electives to build critical understanding of visual culture and historical context. The major sequence includes core graphic design courses beginning with Introduction to Graphic Design and advancing through Typography, Digital Layout and Production, Brand and Identity Systems, and Publication Design, which develop professional-level skills in visual communication and design systems. Students culminate their studies with Graphic Design Portfolio, where they assemble a professional body of work, and additional upper-level electives that may include specialized areas such as illustration, interactive design, motion design, or package design. A required internship or senior thesis option further provides real-world or research-based experience. The program emphasizes both creative exploration and technical proficiency, ensuring that graduates are prepared to enter the design industry with a strong portfolio, professional experience, and the conceptual ability to solve visual communication problems across print, digital, and multimedia platforms.