The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design is an applied arts program with a focus on the development of visual solutions to communication problems, and offers students guided hands-on experience in the creation of visual messages in print and electronic media through the use of type, color, photography, animation and various other techniques. In addition, students will receive a broad historic and theoretical understanding of Graphic Design. Career opportunities in advertising, marketing, publishing, branding and interactive services will be introduced to students and special attention will be paid to establishing a relationship with the local design community.
Admission Requirements to the program
To be admitted to BFA in Graphic Design, students must complete the following courses with a 3.0 GPA or higher and undergo a portfolio evaluation. Applicants to the program must have a 2.5 or higher overall university grade point average. Students must submit all materials (including the portfolio) to be considered for admission. Portfolio reviews occur once per semester (excluding summer).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework for Admission to Program | ||
| ART-120 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART-130 | Two-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART-281 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| ART-314 | Typography | 3 |
University Core Curriculum Requirements
| General Education Distribution Area | Cr. Hrs. |
|---|---|
| Fine Arts (FA)* 2 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: Art, CMT (Mass Media or Theatre), Music (includes Dance). | 6 |
| Humanities (HU)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: CMT (Communication), English, Linguistics. Philosophy, Women's and Gender Studies, World Languages and Cultures, (Note: No more than two foreign language courses may be used to fulfill this requirement.) | 9 |
| Behavioral/Social Sciences (SB)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: African & African American Studies, Anthropology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography & Environmental Studies, History, Justice Studies, Latino & Latin American Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work | 9 |
| Natural Sciences (NS and NSL)** 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study; one course must have a laboratory component (NSL): Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physics (Note: If an FYE ANTH that counts as Natural Science is taken, only one Biology course may be used for Natural Science). | 9 |
| Engaged Learning Experiences | |
| Students must complete, at Northeastern, three courses designated as Engaged Learning Experiences courses. One of the Engaged Learning Experiences courses must be at the 300-level, and one Engaged Learning Experiences course must be designated as "Boundary Crossing". | |
| Discipline Specific (ELE-DS) These courses have pre-requisites that are specific courses within a program of study. Discipline Specific courses give students a deeper understanding of how knowledge is created and applied in their field. | |
| Boundary Crossing (ELE-X) These are courses that cross disciplinary boundaries and/or cross boundaries through engagements outside the classroom or University allowing students to see how knowledge gained in one field might inform other fields or other aspects of society. | |
| Math/Quantitative Reasoning (MA) 1 Math course, that has intermediate Algebra as prerequisite OR is a course listed on the General Education Distributive Learning List of Approved Courses. Any 3 hour college level math course, beyond Intermediate Algebra, meets this requirement. |
- *
Majors in Fine Arts, Humanities or Social/Behavioral Sciences, may waive up to 6 credit hours of General Education requirements in the corresponding distribution area.
- **
Majors in Natural Sciences may waive up to 9 credit hours of General Education requirements in the Natural Sciences distribution area.
Students should also be aware of all other university requirements to obtain a degree - NEIU requirements
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
Once admitted to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design program, students complete 81 hours of the following required courses (the courses completed for program admission requirements are included in this list):
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major in Graphic Design Requirements | ||
| ARTH-106 | Introduction To Art History I | 3 |
| ARTH-107 | Introduction To Art History II | 3 |
| ART-120 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART-130 | Two-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART-140 | Three Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART-220 | Drawing II | 3 |
| ART-234 | Digital Foundations | 3 |
| ART-250 | Printmaking I | 3 |
| ART-261 | Photography I | 3 |
| ART-280 | Art + Tech I | 3 |
| ART-281 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| ART-285 | Image | 3 |
| ART-289 | Graphic Design (Survey) | 3 |
| ART-301 | Contemporary Design | 3 |
| ART-314 | Typography | 3 |
| ART-315 | Letterpress | 3 |
| ART-344 | Writing Intensive Program: Professional Practices In Graphic Design | 3 |
| ART-379 | Interactive Arts: Web I | 3 |
| ART-381 | Studio In Graphic Design (must be taken twice) | 3 |
| ART 384 - Internship in Graphic Design (must take 3 credit hours, which may be split into 1 credit hour increments) | 3 | |
| ART-386 | Interactive Arts: Form & Motion | 3 |
| ART-387 | Special Topics In Graphic Design (must be taken twice) | 3 |
| ART-388 | Typography II | 3 |
| ART-389 | Print Production | 3 |
| ART-394C | Senior Exhibition In Graphic Design | 3 |
| Total hours | 81 | |
This sample curricular map is provided to guide you in the planning of your progression for this major. This guide should not replace regular consultations with your program advisor. For specific recommendations of courses not identified, please consult your program advisor.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| ART-120 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART-130 | Two-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ART-140 | Three Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART-220 | Drawing II | 3 |
| ART-281 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| ARTH-106 | Introduction To Art History I | 3 |
| ART-234 | Digital Foundations | 3 |
| ART-314 | Typography | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ARTH-107 | Introduction To Art History II | 3 |
| ART-280 | Art + Tech I | 3 |
| ART-381 | Studio In Graphic Design | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| ART-285 | Image | 3 |
| ART-289 | Graphic Design (Survey) | 3 |
| ART-381 | Studio In Graphic Design | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Elective: PSYC, ANTH or SOC | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ART-250 | Printmaking I | 3 |
| ART-301 | Contemporary Design | 3 |
| ART-388 | Typography II | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | |
| Elective: PSYC, ANTH or SOC | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| ART-315 | Letterpress | 3 |
| ART-379 | Interactive Arts: Web I | 3 |
| ART-387 | Special Topics In Graphic Design | 3 |
| ART-389 | Print Production | 3 |
| ART 384 - Internship in Graphic Design1 | 1-3 | |
| Term Hours | 13-15 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ART-261 | Photography I | 3 |
| ART-386 | Interactive Arts: Form Motion | 3 |
| ART 384 - Internship in Graphic Design1 | 1-3 | |
| ART-387 | Special Topics In Graphic Design | 3 |
| ART-394C | Senior Exhibition In Graphic Design | 3 |
| Term Hours | 13-15 | |
| Total Hours: | 116-120 | |
- 1
Course will be variable credit but students are required to have a minimum of 4 credit hours in Internship course in order to complete the requirements of the B.F.A. in Graphic Design.