BFA Graphic Design

Welcome to Graphic Design

The UDC Art Program offers a two-year Associate of Arts and a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. The program offers a variety of courses in the aesthetic, technical, and theoretical aspects of graphic design.

Courses are taught in labs with up-to-date technology and cover the major areas of the graphic design field, including illustration, logo design, web design, and animation. Students are prepared with solid skills in conceptual thinking, drawing, color theory, art and design history, as well as the knowledge of the computer programs essential to success in the field. Our program gives students the opportunity to merge imagination with technique to produce cutting-edge design work.

Our graduates pursue professional opportunities in various design disciplines. A degree in graphic design is the first step to a career in art direction, web design, publication design, illustration, animation, or any number of disciplines in communication design.

For further information, please contact Professor Daniel Venne, Art Program coordinator, at 202.274.5781, or at dvenne@udc.edu.

Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art/ GRAPHIC DESIGN
Program for 4-year degree (B.F.A.)

1101-112 Graphic Design I
1101-201 Computer Illustration
1101-126 Typography
1104-113 Digital Imaging

Semester Four (Spring)

1101-213 Publication Design
1101-207 Web Design
1101-208 History of Graphic Design
1101-275 Portfolio and Marketing Workshop

At the completion of the 2-year program, the graphic design student will submit an application and portfolio to be considered for admission into the 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts/Graphic Design program. The student must have a “B” average in all major courses. Entry into the B.F.A. program is granted to applicants who have successfully passed the portfolio review. To complete the B.F.A. degree:

Semester Five (Fall)

1101-212 Graphic Design II
1105-281 World Art History: Ancient to Renaissance
1104-295 Color Management
1105-303 Animation and Multimedia I

Semester Six (Spring)

1104-214 Design to Print Practicum
1105-102 Figure Drawing
1105-282 World Art History: Renaissance to Contemporary
1106-309 Digital Imaging II

Semester Seven (Fall)

1105-477 Senior Portfolio
1105-409 Illustration Techniques
1105-231 Introduction to Painting

Semester Eight (Spring)

1106-311 Graphics Management
1106-494 Graphic Design Practicum
________ Art History Elective
________ Graphic Design Elective

In addition to the listed studio requirements, Interdisciplinary Art students must also take an additional 12 credits of elective courses. These may include additional Art History or studio art classes. Please note that these electives are not the same as your General Education Requirements.

The University has specific requirements for all four-year programs, to be integrated into your regular course of study to complement your major.

General Education Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree in Art/Interdisciplinary Art (4-year) Degree:

Foreign Languages        6 credit hours
Philosophy        3 credit hours
Fine Arts*          3 credit hours
English Composition     6 credit hours
(completed in the first 2 years)
Literature/Advanced Writing       6 credit hours
Social Sciences**           6 credit hours
(3 of which completed in the first 2 years)
Mathematics***          6 credit hours
(3 of which completed in the first 2 years)
Natural Sciences****     6 credit hours
(3 of which completed in the first 2 years)

* Selected from outside the major: music, drama, dance.

**Social Science courses may be selected from the offerings in Psychology, Sociology, Economics, History, Social Welfare, Geography, Political Science, and Urban Studies. Students enrolled in the 2-year program may substitute one 3-credit course in Philosophy for the required Social Science.

***Only Mathematics courses numbered MATH-100 and above.

****Lab courses only

IMPORTANT NOTE: In addition to the listed general education courses, students working toward the B.A. must select 4 credit hours from one of the following: Physical Education, Health, Personal and Community, Speech, or an additional Natural Science.

ART EDUCATION MAJORS must also complete the requirements of the Education Department for the intended teaching level.