Fine Arts - Graphics Design Option
Associate in Arts Degree
(60 semester hours minimum)
The Fine Arts degree provides both a strong basic foundation in the visual arts and a broad background in general education. Many students who earn this degree transfer their credits to a four-year art school, college or university. Some students have used the knowledge and skills gained in this program to launch an art career. Students may follow two plans or tracks of study while pursuing the Associate Degree in Fine Arts. Students can follow a traditional studio art track with the program core centered on drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking. Elective or alternative disciplines in this track include ceramics and photography. Likewise, students may follow the graphic design track, with a program core centered on drawing, graphic design, digital imaging, animation and illustration. Photography is an alternative strategy in this track. Students pursing this track are encouraged to take Three-Dimensional Design as well as Portfolio Preparation. Both program tracks share the same General Education core. A Graphic Communication Certificate is also available for those students working in several related graphic arts/graphic communications fields who want to hone their skills or learn new skills. Students are encouraged to consider the increased benefit of the associate degree in fine art/graphic design track. Students in their certificate program may apply their credits to the associate degree.
Recommended Electives for Graphic Design Option: ART* 289-Portfolio Preparation or ART* 122-Three-Dimensional Design.
In addition to the outcomes listed for the parent Studio Art degree track, students following the Graphic Design track will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the graphic designer/graphic design student in the fields of graphic design, illustration and book arts, animation, and commercial art
- Demonstrate a mastery of the skills and techniques of graphic design adequate to seek entry level work in the fields of graphic design, illustration and book arts, animation, and commercial art, or to continue their education toward a bachelor’s degree
- Assemble a professional portfolio of work as evidence of their skill and mastery of the tools and techniques of graphic design. Along with the portfolio, the student will understand the need for and develop an attitude of professionalism commensurate with their experience and appropriate to their field of study.
For more information contact Program Coordinator Mark Szantyr.
General Education Core
(See also General Requirements)
| Communication Skills - 6 Credits | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENG* 101 | Composition | 3 |
| COM* 171 | Fundamentals of Human Communication | |
| or COM* 173 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Humanities - 9 Credits | ||
| ART* 101 | Art History I | |
| or ART* 102 | Art History II | 3 |
| Humanities Electives1 | 6 | |
| Computer Science | ||
| DGA* 111 | Introduction to Computer Graphics | 3 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences - 6 Credits | ||
| Liberal Arts and Sciences Electives2 | 6 | |
| Math/Science - 6 or 7 Credits | ||
| Math Elective | 3 | |
| Science Elective | 3-4 | |
| Social Sciences - 9 Credits | ||
| Social Sciences Elective | 6 | |
| History Elective | 3 | |
| Program Core - 21 Credits | ||
| ART* 111 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART* 112 | Drawing II | 3 |
| ART* 121 | Two-Dimensional Design4 | 3 |
| DGA* 230 | Digital Imaging | 3 |
| GRA* 271 | Introduction to Animation | |
| or GRA* 221 | Illustration I | 3 |
| GRA* 151 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| GRA* 252 | Graphic Design II | 3 |
- Courses must be selected from the following disciplines: art, communication, English, foreign languages, humanities, sign language, music, philosophy, theater.
- Choose from the following disciplines: anthropology, biology, chemistry, communication, computer science, economics, education, English, foreign languages, history, humanities, mathematics, music, philosophy, physical sciences, political science, psychology, science, sign language, sociology, theater.
- Courses must be selected from at least two of the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, education, history, political science, psychology, social science, sociology.
- Full-time students enrolled in the Fine Arts degree program should complete ART* 121 and ART* 122 during their first two semesters. Part-time students enrolled in the Fine Arts degree program should complete ART* 121 and ART*122 as part of their first 12 ART credits. Full-time students enrolled in the Graphic Design program should complete ART* 121 during their first two semesters. Part-time students enrolled in the Graphic Design program should complete ART* 121 as part of their first 12 ART credits.