The degree program in graphic design prepares students for serious professional work in the field. The curriculum emphasizes concept development and application, work with clients and professional development, including the establishment of a working portfolio.

All students must lease, purchase or otherwise obtain a computer system by the junior year. Specific system requirements are available from the school or the graphic design coordinator.

All coursework required for the major must be completed with minimum grades of C.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

SEMESTER 1

• Complete ART 1803C for 6 credits or a total of 6 credits of any ART or GRA or PGY course at the 2000 level with minimum grades of C
• 2.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 2

• Complete 2 of 5 critical-tracking courses with minimum grades of C: ARH 2050, ARH 2051, ART 2305C, GRA 2111C, GRA 2208C
• 2.50 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 3

• Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses with minimum grades of C
• 2.75 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 4

• Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course with a minimum grade of C
• Students must complete a 2-D, a 3-D, and a 4-D 2000-level course as part of their 2000-level studio requirements
• 3.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 5

• Complete 2 of 9 upper-division critical tracking courses with minimum grades of C: GRA 3209C, GRA 3193C, GRA 3194C, GRA 3198C, ENC 3254 Writing in Graphic Design, GRA 4196C, GRA 4197C, GRA 4187C, GRA 4186C
• 3.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 6

• Complete 3 additional upper-division critical tracking courses with minimum grades of C
• 3.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 7

• Complete 2 additional upper-division critical tracking courses with minimum grades of C
• 3.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 8

• Complete remaining upper-division critical tracking courses with minimum grades of C
• 3.0 UF GPA required

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Before beginning 3/4000 studio coursework, students must successfully submit and pass the sophomore portfolio review.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design enables students to achieve proficiency in the principles and practices utilized by professional designers and affiliated industries. Through the study of art theory, art history and historic and contemporary art, students gain knowledge of design genres and systems of thought. Emphasis is on development of the concepts and skills related to graphic design and the development of a personal artistic idiom. Students will learn to use research practices effectively and to discuss the development of their work in speech and in writing.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Pass a particular test, a final project, a term paper and/or a portfolio, as determined by a particular major.
• Pass a senior-level capstone course that includes a portfolio exhibition of the student’s work, evaluated by appropriate faculty.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

1. Design visual form in response to communication problems.
2. Exhibit principles of visual organization/composition, information hierarchy, symbolic representation, typography, aesthetics and the construction of meaningful images.
3. Exhibit appropriate use tools and technology, including their roles in the creation, reproduction and distribution of visual messages.

Critical Thinking

4. Exhibit the ability to describe and respond to the audiences and contexts which communication solutions must address, including recognition of the physical, cognitive, cultural and social human factors that shape design decisions.

Communication

5. Produce solutions to communication problems, including the skills of problem identification, research and information gathering, analysis, generation of alternative solutions, prototyping and evaluation of outcomes.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• Portfolio