Graphic Design, BFA

• Degree Requirements
• Learning Goals and Objectives
• Honors

Degree Requirements - 124 credits

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

Graphic Design Major Requirements: 29 courses, 91 credits

Core Requirements (21 courses, 64 credits)

ADF-S101	Foundation Drawing I	3
ADF-S102	Foundation Drawing II	3
ADF-S152	3-Dimensional Design	3
ADF-S156	Imaging	3
ADF-S166	2D/Color	3
ADF-S171	Creativity and Innovation: Integrated Studio I	3
ADF-S172	Creativity and Innovation: Integrated Studio II	3
ADG-S201	Typography I	3
ADG-S202	Typography II	3
ADG-S204	Design Beyond Design	3
ADG-S206	Graphic Design I	3
ADG-S207	Graphic Design II	3
ADG-S213	Design for Digital I	3
ADG-S214	Illustration for Designers	3
ADG-S219	Computer Applications in Design	3
ADG-224	History of Graphic Design	4
ADG-337	Professional Practice	3
ADG-S340	Design for Digital II	3
ADG-S344	Graphic Design III	3
ADG-HS344	Honors Graphic Design III	3
ADG-S345	Graphic Design IV	3
ADG-HS345	Honors Graphic Design IV	3
ADG-S354	Advanced Computer Applications	3

Art History Requirement (3 courses, 12 credits)

ADG-224	History of Graphic Design	4
ARH-101	Art History I	4
ARH-102	Art History II	4

Studio Electives (5 courses, 15 credits)

Choose five of the following:

ADG-S305	Conceptual Typography	3
ADG-S311	Integrated Advertising	3
ADG-S312	Packaging Design	3
ADG-S330	Motion Graphics	3
ADG-S334	Publication Design	3
ADG-S373	UX/UI Design	3
ADFA-S251	Printmaking Studio	3
ADFA-S345	Advanced Printmaking	3
ADG-S366	Environmental Graphic Design	3

Internship:
With the assistance of a faculty advisor, each student will identify an appropriate internship site relevant to the practice of graphic design. All interns are required to complete 120 hours working under the direction of a qualified design professional. Interns are expected to contribute to the host firm at a high level of design interaction. Although the internship experience is non-credit bearing, students must complete ADG-337 Professional Practice & Internship.

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.

About the Graphic Design Major

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this major.

View the Program Page

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

About the Graphic Design Major

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this major.

View the Program Page

Honors

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

1. Complete ADG-HS344 or ADG-HS345

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

About the Graphic Design Major

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this major.

View the Program Page