About the Concentration in Graphic Design
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with a concentration in graphic design addresses problem-seeking and problem-solving skills. The curriculum stresses the importance of conceptual development, design history, theory and the integration of form and information for the purpose of effective communication. Emphasis is placed on social responsibility, civic engagement, and the role of the designer in society to create work for social good. Students are exposed to a full range of topics and experiences, such as branding and identity design, publication design, internships, and interactive design (such as HTML, CSS, web production software, project planning, UX/UI, usability, and information architecture). Students are exposed to a full range of topics such as typography, branding, publication, interactive, multimedia and web design.
Students working toward a B.F.A. with a concentration in graphic design must complete a minimum of 123 credit hours, including the Art Foundations coursework, 42-45 semester credit hours of graphic design courses, 21-24 hours of studio art and art history electives, and the university’s core curriculum requirements for a B.F.A. in the J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts.
The graphic design curriculum is based on a series of carefully sequenced courses. All courses must be taken in order and successfully completed with a passing grade to progress within the curriculum.
Admission to the graphic design program requires specific course requirements and a portfolio review. Being admitted to Texas Tech University and the School of Art does not guarantee admission to the graphic design program. Applicants are selected each year in the spring semester (mid-April) through a rigorous portfolio and interview process. In the fall semester of their first year at the School of Art, students take general art courses in the core curriculum, including the preferred survey courses ART 1302 and ART 1303 . In the spring semester, they prepare for the portfolio review by enrolling in ART 2388 . It is recommended that students enrolled in ART 2388 concurrently enroll in ART 2303 and ART 2304 if the courses have not been taken beforehand.
Graphic design is a limited-access program and the selection process is highly competitive. Students who are not accepted have the option of reapplying one final time during the subsequent review process in spring semester to follow. Students can complete the program in graphic design in four years if they are accepted upon the first portfolio review.
All students accepted into the graphic design program must have a laptop computer meeting specific criteria as they enter their major coursework Qualifying students will be instructed regarding purchase requirements. Students should not purchase a laptop without consulting their professor in ART 2388 .
Third-Year Review
A portfolio review will occur during the fall semester of a student’s third year in the Graphic Design curriculum. The Graphic Design faculty will review work produced in Visual Systems (ART 3384 ), and Web Media (ART 4357 ). If a student’s work is not satisfactory, the student will enter a probationary period but may continue taking courses within the curriculum sequence. The student will be assigned a faculty mentor and must meet with that mentor on an agreed-upon schedule to review their progress in ART 4360 and ART 4380 . Near the conclusion of the spring semester, the area faculty will conduct a re-review during which the student will present in-person work created in Advanced Visual Systems (ART 4360 ) and Publication (ART 4380 ). If the student’s work demonstrates improvement, the probationary period will be concluded. In the event, satisfactory improvements have not been met; the student is dismissed from the program and may not pursue readmission.
Communication Literacy Requirement: Art, B.F.A.
Communication Literacy Requirement. Texas Tech University’s Communication Literacy requirement signals the university’s awareness that in addition to the fundamental role that writing plays in enabling students to explore, develop, focus, and organize a message, other types of communication must also be taught as appropriate for a student’s discipline. Throughout each program of study, then, students must be given ample opportunity to develop their skills in forms of communication central to that program. Communication Literacy courses for the B.F.A. in Art with a concentration in Graphic Design include: ART 1302 , ART 2303 , ART 4359 and one of the following choices: ARTH 3320 , ARTH 3333 , ARTH 3345 , ARTH 3350 , ARTH 3364 , ARTH 3366 , ARTH 4307 , ARTH 4308 , ARTH 4320 , ARTH 4335 , ARTH 4340 , ARTH 4389 .
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