Visual communication is among the most basic of human languages. Through the study of art, students acquire a rich understanding of human nature, values, psychology, aesthetics and history. Well-prepared artists, designers and educators are crucial contributors to our increasingly complex visual world -- career opportunities are numerous. Graduates of our program now work in a variety of fields, such as educators at the secondary and collegiate level, art directors, illustrators and graphic designers in advertising agencies, studio photographers and filmmakers, museum and gallery curators, certified art therapists and as independent studio artists with professional gallery representation.
The faculty in Art and Design believe visual literacy should be an essential skill for every well-educated and productive citizen. Since the invention of photography and increasingly in the multi-media environment fostered today by computers, everyone is inescapably subject to both the riches and hazards of visual culture. Thus, we urge every university student to consider taking at least one art course to fulfill a general education requirement in the art, humanities, music and literature area.
Admission to the Program
There is no formal admission process, however, students must receive a C or better in all of their classes and all students are required to submit portfolios every year. Failure to submit an annual portfolio will lead to removal from the department. By the end of the junior year, students choosing the Graphic Design major will submit another portfolio showing the artistic direction in which they will concentrate for the two-semester Senior Seminar, culminating in a professional group exhibition in the SXU Gallery.
Requirements
Graphic Design majors must earn grades of C or above in all courses required for the major.
Required courses include:
- ART 101: Drawing I (3)
- ART 116: Computer Graphics* (3)
- ART 119: Digital Imagery* (3)
- ART 120: Graphic Design I* (3)
- ART 211: Typography* (3)
- ART 201: Drawing II (3)
- ART 202: 3D Design (3)
- 100-level Art History course (3)
- ART 223: Modern and Contemporary Art (3)
- ART 305: Senior Seminar (3)
- ART 306: Senior Seminar (3)
*These four courses should be taken in this recommended sequence - ART 116, 119, 120, 211.
Choose four electives from the list below:
- ART 113: Digital Photography (3)
- ART 124: Portfolio Seminar (3)
- ART 220: Graphic Design II (3)
- ART 228: Design History (3)
- ART 237: Screen Printed Poster (3)
- ART 241: Illustration (3)
- ART 315: Web Design (3)
- ART 317: Advanced Photography
- ART 322: Advertising and Marketing (3)
- ART 327: Multimedia (3)
- ART 365: Internship (3)
Total credit hour requirement (45)