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Design

Students who pursue a design program learn how to conceptualize and execute a project for a specific target audience.

As students progress through the program, they create a body of work that demonstrates their creativity, analytical thinking, and expertise in graphic design techniques.

Students learn how to combine typography and images to create a wide variety of designs such as magazine and newspaper advertisements, television story boards, and product packaging and displays. They learn to use the elements of design to clearly communicate corporate image or personal identity. The success of their designs is dependent upon their mastery of the concepts of white space, color, headlines, copy blocks, photographs, original art, logotypes, borders and other typographic devices.

Design students must develop finely-tuned analytical skills. Their assignments are based on learning to analyze the needs of a client, create a concept that will meet those needs, and clearly articulate that concept, both visually and verbally. Professional communication skills and business acumen are essential to success in the design field.

A variety of methods and tools are applied in the completion of projects. Design students will learn to use industry standard graphic arts equipment and software to produce fully-functioning electronic files.

Project management is also an important component of the program. Students must learn to plan and execute projects with multiple deadlines in an efficient and professional manner.

BFA Sample Curriculum