Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graphic Design, B.F.A.


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This professional program, combined with a strong academic curriculum, provides graduates with the skills and knowledge they will need to enter diverse areas of visual communication such as publication design, animation, packaging, corporate identity design, UX/UI design, or to pursue graduate study. The program contains components of studio work, design theory, criticism, and history. Student designers learn not only about the tools and techniques, both traditional and digital, necessary to make their ideas come to life, but also the ways in which their work relates to their culture and society. The program’s curriculum gives students a valuable perspective on where their chosen discipline has been, where it is going, and how technology affects the way we communicate. Through professional memberships, internships, study abroad experiences, and exposure to visiting artists, students gain insight into personal areas of interest in the vast and changing field of graphic design.

Requirements for Graduation:

To be eligible for graduation, students majoring in Graphic Design must complete a minimum of 125 credits, achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher, satisfy the college’s residency requirements, and complete the General Education Requirements of the college. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for First Year Seminar and all courses taken as part of Foundations. Courses used to complete General Education Requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

The General Education Requirements of the college require students to successfully complete First Year Seminar, Foundations (FCO 103 will be a required co-requisite with FCO 105 for students who have a high school GPA below 3.20), Disciplinary Perspectives, and a Constellation. Students who enter the college with 30 credit hours completed will not take a First Year Seminar course and therefore must take an additional 3 credits for graduation. Transfer students that are awarded 60 or more credits upon acceptance to York College will not be required to complete a Constellation.

In addition, students majoring in Graphic Design are required to complete a series of foundation courses, which offer a common studio experience for all Graphic Design majors. Foundation courses must be successfully completed by the end of the first semester of Sophomore year. Foundation courses teach basic skills, provide a technical foundation on which to build, develop creative and problem-solving skills, and help identify professional and studio interests. Students are also required to participate in the Sophomore Portfolio Review in which the student must receive a passing grade to continue in the major.  Students are also required to participate in the Senior Portfolio Review and Exhibition, which provide an opportunity for self-evaluation and professional evaluation. During Junior year, the student participates in the Professional Development Seminar and then the Senior Art Major’s Exhibition the semester of graduation. The student is required to earn a grade of 2.0 or higher in all major courses.

General Education Requirement


First Year Seminar


Foundations Requirements


Disciplinary Perspectives Requirement


Constellation Requirement


The Constellation requirement is met when a student completes four courses from a minimum of three disciplines within the Constellation requirements.  Transfer students that are awarded 60 or more credits upon acceptance to York College will not be required to complete a Constellation except for Education majors.

Art History Electives


Select 6 credits of the following:

Art Electives


12 credits from the following:

Digital Art


Figure Drawing


Illustration


Lettering


Painting


Printmaking


Elective Courses (6 credits)


Students may choose any 6 credits of elective courses.

Suggested Course Sequence:


Freshman Year


Fall Semester (15 credits)


Sophomore Year


Fall Semester (15 credits)


Spring Semester (16 credits)


Junior Year


Fall Semester (15 credits)


Spring Semester (15 credits)


Summer Session (3 credits)


Senior Year


Fall Semester (15 credits)


  • 3 credit hours
  • Art Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Art History Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Constellation course 3 credit hours
  • Constellation course 3 credit hours

Spring Semester (16 credits)


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