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2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Graphic Design, B.F.A.
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Coordinator: Dawn McCusker
Phone: (540) 568-6500
Email: mccuskdm@jmu.edu
The graphic design program provides a professional education with an interdisciplinary approach. Program objectives for the graphic design student are:
- Articulate ideas and understand the fundamental elements and principles of graphic design while using correct terminology pertinent to the field.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of artistic methods, craft and formal structure as vehicles to enhance a solutions communicative value.
- Demonstrate proficiency in both traditional and digital ways of making.
- Develop diverse problem-solving methodologies that combine theory, research, analytical skills and conceptualization to create effective graphic design solutions.
- Develop a professional graphic design portfolio reflective of one’s knowledge and abilities that encompasses the contemporary design market.
The graphic design program objectives are enhanced by frequent field trips to design events, guest speakers, workshops and internship opportunities. Design students have an opportunity to engage with design leaders in the field through field trips, events and participation in a professional design organization.
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Admission Requirements
Admission to the B.F.A. in graphic design is selective and competitive for a limited number of reserved seats in upper-division (300-400 level) graphic design courses. Declaration of graphic design as a major and completion of lower-division (100-200) prerequisite ART and GRPH courses does not guarantee admission into the program. Admission to upper-division GRPH courses is based on completion of all prerequisite GRPH courses and merit as determined by a faculty review of portfolios submitted in satisfaction of GRPH 208. Portfolio Review .
GRPH 208. Portfolio Review is a 0 credit, pass/fail course that functions as a prerequisite to enrollment in all 300-400 level graphic design courses. Students should enroll in GRPH 208 during the semester following completion of lower-level GRPH courses, or concurrently with GRPH 206 . GRPH 208 portfolios are reviewed each semester. Students enrolled in GRPH 208 will be emailed at the beginning of the semester and will be informed of the exact time and location of the GRPH 208 portfolio review.
Any art major may take lower-level GRPH courses, but is restricted from taking any 300-400 level graphic design course until GRPH 208 has been taken and passed.
Accepted students who receive a passing grade for GRPH 208 will be able to register for upper-division courses GRPH for the following semester and are required to furnish a Macintosh laptop computer. Purchase recommendations can be found at: http://www.jmu.edu/computing/purchase/dept.shtml.
Students not accepted will have one opportunity to reapply in the following semester or may choose to continue in another major within the Art, Design and Art History, School of .
Footnotes
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
Major Requirements
This major requires 78 credit hours in art, art history and art-related courses; 36 are graphic design concentration required and elective courses.
Foundation Courses: 18 Credit Hours
Required art studio courses (choose four of the following): 12 Credit Hours
Major Courses (Required): 33 Credit Hours
Major Courses (Electives): 15 Credit Hours
Major electives: 6 Credit Hours
Footnotes
1 A maximum of six credit hours of practicum or internship may count toward the degree.
2 Studio art and art-related electives may include courses from general fine arts, architectural design, graphic design, industrial design and internships, but excludes courses taken to fulfill the studio concentration.
3 Excludes ARTH 490 , ARTH 495 and ARTH 499 .
Recommended Schedule for Majors
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