• Demonstrate design processes such as research, analysis, prototyping and synthesis, from concept to delivery, to solve communication problems.
• Create communication solutions that address audiences and context, by recognizing the human factors that determine design decisions.
• Utilize relevant application of tools and technology in the creation, reproduction, and distribution of visual messages.
• Apply graphic design principles in the creation, development, and production of visual messages.
• Identify and utilize design history, theory, and criticism from a variety of perspectives, including: art history, communication/information theory, and the social/cultural use of design objects.
• Confidently participate in professional design practice and management within a collaborative work environment.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Pre-Graphic Design Core
ART 101	*INTRODUCTION TO THE VISUAL ARTS	3
ART 115	2-D CORE STUDIO	4
ART 121	DIGITAL CORE STUDIO	4
ART 131	DRAWING CORE STUDIO	4
GD 126	GRAPHIC DESIGN PRO APPLICATION	2
Lower-Division Graphic Design Professional Core
Select one ART course from the following:		3
ART 204	*INTRODUCTION TO WESTERN ART: PREHISTORY TO HIGH MIDDLE AGES
ART 205	*INTRODUCTION TO WESTERN ART: GOTHIC TO BAROQUE
ART 206	*INTRODUCTION TO WESTERN ART: NEOCLASSICISM TO CONTEMPORARY
ART 208	*INTRODUCTION TO ASIAN ART
ART 264	*PHOTOGRAPHY: HISTORY, TECHNOLOGY, CULTURE AND ART
ART 263	DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY	4
GD 200	GRAPHIC DESIGN TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTION 1	4
GD 220	GRAPHIC DESIGN TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTION 2	4
GD 224	INTERACTIVE DESIGN 1	4
GD 226	TYPOGRAPHY 1	4
GD 228	PROCESS: MAKING AND MEANING	4
GD 230	GRAPHIC DESIGN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT	2
GD 269	GRAPHIC DESIGN HISTORY	3
GD 499	SPECIAL TOPICS	1-16
Upper-Division Graphic Design Professional Core 1
ART 367	*HISTORY OF DESIGN	3
GD 312	^CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN DESIGN	3
GD 325	GRAPHIC DESIGN: COLLABORATIVE PROCESSES	4
GD 326	TYPOGRAPHY 2	4
GD 327	TYPOGRAPHY 3	4
GD 328	INTERACTIVE 2	4
GD 419	PORTFOLIO REVIEW	3
GD 420	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES	3
GD 424	BRAND IDENTITY SYSTEMS	4
GD 426	GRAPHIC DESIGN CAPSTONE 1	3
GD 427	CAPSTONE 2	4
Electives
100/200 Lower-Division Electives from ART, GD or NMC		12
300/400 Upper-Division Electives from ART, GD or NMC		20
Additional Requirements
Remaining Bacc Core and Electives		44-59
Total Credits		180

*

Baccalaureate Core Course (BCC)

^

Writing Intensive Course (WIC)

1

Total required upper-division credits is 60

Degree plans are subject to change and the following is only an example of how students may complete their degree in four years. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them. Contact details for advisors can be found on the Academic Advising page.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
FALL		CREDITS
ART 115	2-D CORE STUDIO	4
ART 121	DIGITAL CORE STUDIO	4
COMM 111 or COMM 114 or COMM 218	*PUBLIC SPEAKING or *ARGUMENT AND CRITICAL DISCOURSE or *INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION	3
Bacc Core: DPD		3
General Elective		1
	Credits	15
WINTER
ART 101	*INTRODUCTION TO THE VISUAL ARTS	3
ART 131	DRAWING CORE STUDIO	4
WR 121	*ENGLISH COMPOSITION	4
GD Lower-Division Elective		4
	Credits	15
SPRING
ART 206	*INTRODUCTION TO WESTERN ART: NEOCLASSICISM TO CONTEMPORARY (or Lower-Division Art History)	3
GD 126	GRAPHIC DESIGN PRO APPLICATION	2
MTH 111	*COLLEGE ALGEBRA	4
GD Lower-Division Elective		4
Bacc Core: SPI		3
	Credits	16
Second Year
FALL
GD 200	GRAPHIC DESIGN TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTION 1	4
GD 226	TYPOGRAPHY 1	4
GD 2xx		2
Bacc Core: Physical Lab Science		4
	Credits	14
WINTER
ART 263	DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY	4
GD 224	INTERACTIVE DESIGN 1	4
GD 269	GRAPHIC DESIGN HISTORY	3
Bacc Core: Biological Lab Science		4
	Credits	15
SPRING
GD 220	GRAPHIC DESIGN TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTION 2	4
GD 228	PROCESS: MAKING AND MEANING	4
GD Lower-Division Elective		4
Bacc Core: Lab Science		4
	Credits	16
Third Year
FALL
GD 326	TYPOGRAPHY 2	4
GD 328	INTERACTIVE 2	4
GD Upper-Division Elective		4
Bacc Core: WR II		3
	Credits	15
WINTER
GD 325	GRAPHIC DESIGN: COLLABORATIVE PROCESSES	4
GD Upper-Division Elective		4
GD Upper-Division Elective		4
Bacc Core: Literature & The Arts		3
	Credits	15
SPRING
ART 367	*HISTORY OF DESIGN	3
GD 312	^CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN DESIGN	3
GD 327	TYPOGRAPHY 3	4
HHS 231	*LIFETIME FITNESS FOR HEALTH	2
Bacc Core: PAC		1
General Elective		2
	Credits	15
Fourth Year
FALL
GD 420	PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES	3
GD 424	BRAND IDENTITY SYSTEMS	4
Bacc Core: Cultural Diversity		3
General Elective		3
	Credits	13
WINTER
GD 419	PORTFOLIO REVIEW	3
GD 426	GRAPHIC DESIGN CAPSTONE 1	3
GD Upper-Division Elective		4
Bacc Core: Upper-Division CGI		3
General Elective		2
	Credits	15
SPRING
GD 427	CAPSTONE 2	4
GD Upper-Division Elective		4
Bacc Core: Upper-Division STS		3
Bacc Core: Western Culture		3
General Elective		2
	Credits	16
	Total Credits	180

*

Baccalaureate Core Course (BCC)

^

Writing Intensive Course (WIC)