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Graphic Design

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A)

College: College of Liberal Arts & Communication

Department: Art + Design

Description

Graphic design is a creative discipline that involves the art and practice of visual communication. It encompasses a wide range of visual elements, including typography, imagery, color, layout, and composition, to convey messages or ideas in a visually compelling and effective manner. These skills are utilized in multiple platforms and specialties, including printed collateral, UI/UX, marketing campaigns, books and magazines, online content creation, merchandise and package design, digital illustration, web design, and app development. The Department of Art + Design at Arkansas State University provides an educational environment that fosters the creation and understanding of art and design developed through instructional guidance and applied experience in the studio and classroom. Arkansas State University is an Accredited Institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Learning Outside the Classroom

Career experiences inform coursework and student development. These could include tours of advertising agencies, print shops, and corporate headquarters with in-house design specialists. Coursework may also involve field trips to regional art collections. Instructors often invite professionals to speak to students in person or via live online conversations. An internship in a professional setting is required and part of guided resumé building and job acquisition at the culmination of student studies.

Why the BFA in Graphic Design?

The BFA in Graphic Design is a professional degree with higher technical standards than a BA and more subject-specific classes than BFAs with only an emphasis in Graphic Design. The program is meant to prepare serious designers and artists for various career choices in highly competitive fields. The BFA is also the requisite degree for any student who plans to pursue a studio-oriented post-baccalaureate degree.

  • Admission Process

    Incoming Freshmen

    If you are an entering college Freshman, please visit the Undergraduate Admissions website to apply to ASU.

    Transfer Students

    Transfer students should first visit the Undergraduate Admissions website to apply to A-State. Transfer students should submit a portfolio prior to enrollment in Art Department courses.

    BFA/Transfer Review Policy

    BFA review (ART 3330) is viewed as a counseling/advising practice for all art students, and, in
    addition, it is an admissions screening procedure for students interested in pursuing the B.F.A. Degree
    in Art or Graphic Design. Students should enroll in ART 3330 after completing 30 hours of ART/ARTH
    courses and before completing 40 hours of ART/ARTH courses. Prerequisites are ART 1013, ART 1023, ART 1033, ART 1043, ARTH 2583, ARTH 2593, 9 hours additional studio/design courses. Students enrolled in the BFA programs must pass the BFA Review PRIOR to enrollment for 4000 level ART courses.

    Transfer review (ART 3330) provides an opportunity for students joining us from other programs
    to acquire a realistic assessment of their status vis-a-vis our program. Ideally, the transfer review should occur prior to enrollment in ASU art department courses. Should the transfer student intend to enter the B.F.A. Degree program, this review will serve as an admission screening process as indicated above. Transfer students must enroll in ART 3330, BFA Review during the first semester of enrollment at ASU.

  • Additional Information

    Graphic Design

    The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design is intended for the student who wishes to study graphic design as it applies to print and digital production.

    Good Academic Standing

    No grade below C in courses with an ARED/ART/ARTH prefix may be applied to the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. A cumulative 2.75 GPA or higher in all courses with an ART/ARTH/ARED prefix is required for the BFA degree.

    Curriculum

    Curriculum and degree requirements can be found in the most current Undergraduate Bulletin.

    Visit the bulletins page >>


Accredited by NASAD

NASAD LogoArkansas State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.