Graphic Design, BFA

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Graphic Design

school office: 143 Art and Design Building, Champaign, IL 61820

contact: Mark Avery, Coordinator of Undergraduate Academic Affairs
email: mavery@illinois.edu

phone: (217) 333-6632

department website: School of Art & Design

department faculty: Art & Design Faculty


overview of college admissions & requirements: Fine & Applied Arts

college website: https://faa.illinois.edu/

The curriculum in graphic design requires 122 credit hours and prepares the student for entrance into the professional practice of design visual communications. Studio work addresses graphic design fundamentals (typography and image making), design history and contemporary practices, research methods, user experience, and social responsibility. Students engage with complex problems and are asked to identify opportunities where design can intervene. In addition, students have the opportunity to develop their personal interests by taking advantage of a highly interdisciplinary selection of elective courses offered by the School of Art + Design, including photography, video, traditional printmaking, sustainability, advanced interaction design, and the design of Ninth Letter, a nationally-distributed and award-winning literary arts journal.

Students in the School of Art and Design must complete the Campus General Education requirements. Some Art and Design courses will also apply toward the General Education requirements.

A portfolio review is required for admission to the School of Art and Design.

for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Graphic Design

Students in the School of Art and Design must complete the Campus General Education requirements. Some Art and Design courses will also apply toward the General Education requirements.

A portfolio review is required for admission to the School of Art and Design.

Students majoring in this degree program must complete the First Year Curriculum requirements before beginning other major requirements.

First Year Curriculum

FAA 101Arts at Illinois1
ARTF 101Contemporary Issues in Art2
ARTE 101Art, Design, and Society2
ARTH 110Introduction to the History of Art and Visual Culture3
Select one Drawing course:3
ARTF 102
Observational Drawing
ARTF 104
Expressive Drawing
ARTF 106
Visualization Drawing
Select one course in 2D Category:3
ARTD 151
Introduction to Graphic Design
ARTS 205
Introduction to Printmaking (required for Studio Art: Printmaking)
ARTS 221
Fashion Illustration (required for Studio Art: Fashion)
ARTS 251
Beginning Painting (required for Studio Art: Painting)
ARTS 264
Basic Photography (required for Studio Art: Photography)
Select one course in 3D Category:3
ARTD 101
Introduction to Industrial Design
ARTS 210
Ceramics Sculpture I
ARTS 230
Jewelry/Metals I
ARTS 280
Beginning Sculpture (required for Studio Art: Sculpture)
Select one course in 4D Category:3
ARTS 241
Image Practice
ARTS 243
Time Arts I
ARTS 244
Interaction I
Total Hours20

Graphic Design Requirements

ARTD 218Interaction Design Foundation3
ARTD 222Typographic Practice3
ARTD 251Graphic Design Toolbox2
ARTD 270Design Methods2
ARTD 318Interaction Design2
ARTD 333Type & Image3
ARTD 351Graphic Design Inquiry4
ARTD 371Graphic Design Practicum2
ARTD 418Advanced Interaction Design3
ARTD 444Typographic Systems3
ARTD 451Ethics of a Designer in a Global Economy4
ARTD 471Graphic Design Capstone3
Total Hours34

Art History

ARTH 211Design History Survey3
Advanced art history (200-level or above) 6
Total Hours9

Electives

Art & Design Electives (ARTS, ARTD, ARTE, ARTH, or ARTJ courses not otherwise required in major) 12
Open electives as needed to total 122 hour degree
Total Hours122