Graphic Design, BFA
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design (C10104BFA)
More on the Graphic Design major
Graphic Design is the largest program within the Myers School of Art. It is a professional program for students pursuing careers in the expanding multidisciplinary field of visual communication design. Critical thinking and logical problem solving in print, web and interactive media are emphasized.
Purpose
The curriculum prioritizes creative thinking and problem solving through design theory but also emphasizes contemporary production processes using industry-standard technology. Our program requires students engage in the process of creating and encourages them to explore unexpected solutions. Students gain an understanding that design is an investment in research and ideation, innovative thinking, knowledge of tools and materials, and results-oriented solutions that create value for businesses. Considering this philosophy, our purpose is simple: to educate and prepare students for excellent and diverse careers around the country, appropriate to their talents, skills, and interests.
Goals
- Unapologetically encourage diverse perspectives, viewpoints, ideas and thinking from all students, staff, faculty, guests and visitors.
- Create engaged, socially-responsible, and thoughtful critical thinkers.
- Maintain a diverse and accomplished faculty, knowledgeable and prepared to engage students on the ever-expanding field of graphic design.
- Promote ethical standards of business and communication, while cultivating an environment for a responsible and socially-aware graphic design industry.
- Research and develop modern techniques for graphic designers, including committing to emerging technologies and new industries.
- Archive and maintain the oral and written history of visual communication design.
Distinctions
- A comprehensive graphic design program within an interdisciplinary school of art.
- Graduates of the program have instruction in all areas of the expanding graphic design industry, including traditional print, web, interactive, user experience, motion, animation, environmental, and experimental design.
- Design x Nine is a unique in-house student design studio opportunity creating real-world solutions for on and off-campus clients.
- 100% of our graduates develop business connections and entrepreneurial skills through professional internships; unique in-class client opportunities with companies like the Akron Zoo, MiLB’s Akron Rubber Ducks, NASA, Bridgestone, or Microsoft; or various portfolio reviews and local affiliated events with industry professionals.
- Students have access to industry specific and emerging technology, including computer labs, camera/video equipment, various printing solutions, 3D prototyping and printing, laser cutting, augmented and virtual reality systems, projection mapping, software solutions, and materials.
- Finding inspiration through travel, our students regularly visit design epicenters such as Miami, New York, and Chicago as well as unique travel experiences to other areas of the United States and Europe.
The following information has official approval of The Mary Schiller Myers School of Art and The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (DPR) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.
Students are encouraged to visit the The Mary Schiller Myers School of Art their freshman year to obtain preliminary information regarding the program requirements and to learn more about on-campus opportunities available to students.
Three year accelerated option: for first time students who have earned credits for at least the first year of courses. Credits can be earned through qualifying scores on appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exams or through College Credit Plus Program (CCP) courses. Credits for qualifying AP scores or CCP courses are determined by the appropriate academic department. Departments may assign varied course credit, depending on the student’s score on an AP exam or grade in a CCP course. Students may also receive credit by examination or via placement tests, where appropriate.
Requirements
Summary
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Requirements | 36 | |
Art History Requirements | 12 | |
Foundation Core | 12 | |
Graphic Design Requirements | 54 | |
Photography Requirement | 3 | |
Electives | 3 | |
Total Hours | 120 |
Note: A 2.5 cumulative GPA in all ART courses is required for graduation.
Recommended General Education Courses
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major. | ||
Students are not required to enroll in the specific courses listed below. However, to facilitate successful degree completion, the academic department strongly encourages completion of the following recommendations. | ||
Academic Foundations | 12 | |
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours | ||
Speaking: 3 credit hours | ||
Writing: 6 credit hours | ||
Breadth of Knowledge | 22 | |
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours | ||
Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE | ||
History of Global Art 2: 1250 CE - 1850 CE | ||
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours | ||
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours | ||
Diversity | ||
Domestic Diversity | ||
Global Diversity | ||
Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE | ||
Integrated and Applied Learning | 2 | |
Select one class from one of the following subcategories: | ||
Complex Issues Facing Society | ||
Capstone | ||
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings. | ||
Total Hours | 36 |
College of Arts & Sciences Requirement
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Students must also complete a minimum of 40 credits (excluding workshops) consisting of either: | ||
Upper-level (300/400) courses both in and outside of the student’s major; | ||
or other courses outside the major department approved by the student’s major department chair (permission should be obtained prior to enrollment); these may not include workshops |
Art History Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ART:101 | Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE | 3 |
ART:102 | History of Global Art 2: 1250 CE - 1850 CE | 3 |
ART:103 | History of Global Art 3: 1850 CE - Today | 3 |
ART:307 | History of Graphic Design | 3 |
Total Hours | 12 |
Foundation Core
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ART:131 | Foundation Drawing I | 3 |
ART:144 | Foundation 2D Design | 3 |
ART:145 | Foundation 3D Design | 3 |
ART:250 | Foundation Lecture | 1 |
ART:252 | Foundation Studio | 2 |
Total Hours | 12 |
Graphic Design Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ART:132 | Introduction to Design | 3 |
ART:184 | Typography I | 3 |
ART:189 | Production I | 3 |
ART:280 | Digital Media | 3 |
ART:281 | Web and Devices I | 3 |
ART:283 | Drawing Techniques | 3 |
ART:288 | Typography II | 3 |
ART:310 | Motion Design | 3 |
ART:311 | UI/UX Design | 3 |
ART:380 | Illustration | 3 |
ART:382 | Graphic Design Junior Review | 1 |
ART:384 | Professional Design Practices | 2 |
ART:387 | Typography III | 3 |
ART:471 | Web and Devices II | 3 |
ART:480 | Advanced Graphic Design | 3 |
or ART:481 | Design X Nine | |
or ART:485 | Advanced Illustration | |
ART:482 | Corporate Identity & Graphic Systems | 3 |
ART:483 | Graphic Design Presentation | 3 |
ART:487 | Packaging Design | 3 |
ART:488 | Typography IV | 3 |
ART:495 | Senior Exhibition | 0 |
Total Hours | 54 |
Photography Requirement
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Select three credits: | 3 | |
Introduction to Digital Photography | ||
Introduction to Photography | ||
Introduction to Commercial Photography | ||
Portrait Lighting | ||
Product Photography | ||
Photography II | ||
Medium and Large Format Photography | ||
Photography III: Color | ||
Advanced Photography | ||
Total Hours | 3 |
Electives
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Complete five credits: 1 | 5 | |
Introduction to Printmaking | ||
Relief/Screenprint | ||
Intaglio/Lithography | ||
Introduction to Sculpture | ||
Sculpture: Stone | ||
Anatomy for Artists | ||
Introduction to Painting | ||
Installation Art | ||
Intermediate Drawing | ||
Total Hours | 5 |
1 | A minimum of three credits must come from ART Studio Arts. The remaining two may be studio arts or open electives. |
Recommended Sequence
1st Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Hours | |
ART:100 | Arts Orientation | 0 |
ART:131 | Foundation Drawing I | 3 |
ART:144 | Foundation 2D Design | 3 |
ART:145 | Foundation 3D Design | 3 |
Writing Requirement 1 | 3 | |
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic Requirement | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ART:101 | Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE | 3 |
ART:132 | Introduction to Design | 3 |
ART:189 | Production I | 3 |
ART:250 | Foundation Lecture | 1 |
ART:252 | Foundation Studio | 2 |
Writing Requirement | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
2nd Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
ART:102 | History of Global Art 2: 1250 CE - 1850 CE | 3 |
ART:184 | Typography I | 3 |
ART:281 | Web and Devices I | 3 |
ART:280 | Digital Media | 3 |
COMM:105 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ART:283 | Drawing Techniques | 3 |
ART:288 | Typography II | 3 |
ART:307 | History of Graphic Design | 3 |
Natural Science Requirement with Lab | 4 | |
Art Studio Elective | 3 | |
Hours | 16 | |
3rd Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
ART:103 | History of Global Art 3: 1850 CE - Today | 3 |
ART:310 | Motion Design | 3 |
ART:382 | Graphic Design Junior Review | 1 |
ART:384 | Professional Design Practices | 2 |
ART:387 | Typography III | 3 |
Photography Requirement | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ART:311 | UI/UX Design | 3 |
ART:380 | Illustration | 3 |
ART:488 | Typography IV | 3 |
Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
4th Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
ART:482 | Corporate Identity & Graphic Systems | 3 |
ART:487 | Packaging Design | 3 |
Art Studio or Open Elective | 2 | |
General Education course | 3 | |
General Education course | 3 | |
Hours | 14 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ART:471 | Web and Devices II | 3 |
ART:483 | Graphic Design Presentation | 3 |
ART:495 | Senior Exhibition | 0 |
Global Diversity Requirement 2 | 3 | |
Natural Science Requirement | 3 | |
Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Total Hours | 120 |
1 | See adviser for placement |
2 | ART:480 Advanced Graphic Design, ART:481 Design X Nine, or ART:485 Advanced Illustration |