Fine Arts Department

Minor in Graphic Design
(15 credit hours)

Working across media, the School of the Arts Graphic Design students gain technical and creative thinking skills while learning design methods and processes essential to a professional career in design. The Minor in Graphic Design will give students an introduction to the standards of a professional design practice while teaching the production and technical skills necessary to pursue a career as a production design or junior designer.

Requirements:

Core courses (6 credit hours)

• FINA-S 250 Introduction to Design Practice (3 cr.)
  Students require a basic level of proficiency in using computers. Visual communication emphasizing the perceptive use of line, interval, proportion, color, sequence, and grid systems. Basic tools and drawing disciplines of graphic design. (Fall, Spring, Summer)
• FINA-S 351 Typography (3 cr.)
  Further studies in visual communication concentrating on letter drawing, symbolic drawing, and typographic exploration, along with Production methods.

Elective courses (9 credit hours)

• FINA-S 352 Production for Graphic Design (3 cr.)
  Advanced studies in visual problem solving relating to the development of symbols and their integration with typographic communication, photography, and design-oriented drawing.
• FINA-S 353 Graphic Design IV (3 cr.)
  Using a variety of media to communicate messages, students apply processes from printing to multimedia as appropriate for directed projects.
• FINA-S 413 Typography (2 cr.)
  Studies in Graphic Design concentrating on typography as it relates to other design elements in practical design applications.
• FINA-S 414 Layout and Design (2 cr.)
  Studies in Graphic Design concentrating on layout as it relates to other publication design.
• FINA-S 415 Package Design (2 cr.)
  Studies in Graphic Design concentrating on package design.
• FINA-S 400 Independent Studio Projects (1-6 cr.)
  Designed for advanced studio art students who want to work independently on special studio projects under the guidance of a faculty member or committee. This course counts within the 19 credit hours studio art limit of BA students and 48 credit hours of BFA students. Students must arrange a project with a faculty member who will supervise and grade the work produced. One credit is given for every three hours of work per week for the entire semester. Repeatable up to 6 credits.
• FINA-S 451 Graphic Design Problem Solving (3 cr.)
  Professional problem-solving in Graphic Design. Using a variety of media to communicate messages, students apply processes from printing to multimedia as appropriate for directed projects. May be repeated for a total of 20 credit hours.