2020-2021 Catalog

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Graphic Design, BFA

Degree Requirements

Students can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with this major

Major Requirements: 28 courses, 88-89 credits

Core Requirements (22 courses, 67-68 credits)

ADF-S101Foundation Drawing I

3
ADF-S102Foundation Drawing II

3
ADF-S1523-Dimensional Design

3
ADF-S156Imaging

3
ADF-S1662D/Color

3
ADF-S171CI: Integrated Studio I

3
ADF-S172CI: Integrated Studio II

3
ADG-S201Typography I

3
ADG-S202Typography II

3
ADG-S204Design Beyond Design

3
ADG-S206Graphic Design I

3
ADG-S207Graphic Design II

3
ADG-S213Design for Digital Communication

3
ADG-S214Illustration for Designers

3
ADG-S219Computer Applications in Design

3
ADG-224History of Graphic Design

4
ADG-337Professional Practice

3
ADG-S340Online Mobile Design

3
ADG-S344Graphic Design III

3
ADG-S345Graphic Design IV

3
ADG-S354SL-Advanced Computer Applications

3
ADG-400Graphic Design Internship

3

Art History Requirement (3 courses, 12 credits)

ARH-101Art History I

4
ARH-102Art History II

4
-
Choose one additional Art History course

Studio Electives (3 courses, 9 credits)

Choose three of the following:
ADG-S311Integrated Advertising

3
ADG-S330Motion Graphics

3
ADG-S334Publication Design

3
ADG-S360Branding & Identity Design

3
ADG-S373UX/UI Design

3
ADFA-S251Printmaking Studio

3
ADFA-S345Advanced Printmaking

3

Notes:

  • Courses numbered 200 and above have as a prerequisite the completion of the Foundation Studies program or its equivalent. Exceptions may be made only with the permission of the instructor and the Graphic Design program director.
  • The letter “S” preceding the course number indicates a studio course, for which a studio fee is assessed.
  • In addition to the required courses listed below all BFA candidates must participate in all portfolio reviews and exhibit work in the Graphic Design Student Exhibition.

Residency Requirement Policy

In the College of Arts and Sciences, a two-course (8 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for completion of a minor and a four-course (16 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for the completion of a major.

Honors

To complete requirements for honors in the major, a candidate must:

  1. Complete ADG-SH344 or ADG-SH345
  2. Present final honors project at the senior exhibition
  3. CAS Honors Program students only: Also present work from the senior honors experience at the Honors Symposium or Pecha Kucha event.

Graphic Design Major Learning Goals and Objectives

Learning goals and objectives reflect the educational outcomes achieved by students through the completion of this program. These transferable skills prepare Suffolk students for success in the workplace, in graduate school, and in their local and global communities.

Learning Goals Learning Objectives
Students will... Students will be able to...
Understand and employ the principles of visual language - Demonstrate perceptual acuity in two and three dimensional work
- Demonstrate conceptual understanding of complex visual systems
- Demonstrate technical facility with the tools current to their chosen art & design field
- Demonstrate visual communication skills common to their chosen art & design field
Understand and employ the creative thinking process - Effectively solve visual and design problems specific to their chosen discipline
- Use experimentation to test new ideas
- Evaluate their work and the work of their peers through the critique process
- Use the reiterative process to develop new and original solutions to visual and design problems
Understand their potential in the professional art & design field of their choosing - Evaluate their work in relation to the historical precedents of their chosen field
- Visually present their work in a professional manner using the tools current to their chosen field
- Orally present and support their work in a professional manner to peers and professionals from their chosen field
- Demonstrate fluency in the technologies current to their chosen field
- Demonstrate knowledge of the significant contemporary aesthetics and social issues relevant to their chosen field
- Employ professional practices current to their chosen field