Requirements

Department of Art, Design, and Art History

Bachelor of Fine Arts Requirements

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design is a professional program providing directed studies and is designed for students seeking in-depth preparation for specialized educational and career goals.

The curriculum explores the many aspects of graphic design, including the physical, cognitive, social, and cultural human factors. It will also explore theories, principles, and practice in relation to typography, illustration, computer graphics, Web design, motion graphics, history of graphic design, and creative critical visual thinking skills that are applicable to professional practice and to meet entrance requirements to graduate school.

Graphic Design Fine Arts Major

1. Major requirements (72 units)

Art and Design Core (18 units)
ARTH 10 and ARTH 11 (6 units)
ART 13 (3 units)
ART 16 (3 units)
ART 20 (3 units)
ART 24 or ART 30 or ART 40 or ART 50 or ART 60 or ART 70 (3 units)

GD lower-division requirements (21 units)
GD 35, GD 37, GD 39, GD 41, GD 42, GD 50, GD 60

GD upper-division requirements (12 units)
GD 135, GD 179, GD 180, ARTH 132 or ARTH 136

Area of Emphasis (I, II or III) (21 units)

I. Graphic Design
GD 142, GD 170, GD 171, GD 174, GD 175, GD 176, GD 178

II. Illustration*
GD 142, GD 163, GD 165, GD 167, GD 169, 6 units of approved electives

III. Interactive Multimedia Design**
GD 150, GD 153, GD 155, GD 157, GD 158, GD 159, 3 units of approved electives

2. General Education requirements (48 units)

3. Other requirements (9 units)
American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2), Multicultural and International (MI), and Upper-division writing. Note: Graphic Design majors are exempt from the MI requirement. 

4. Sufficient elective units to meet required total units (varies)
(See Degree Requirements); may be used toward a double major or minor

5. Total units (120)***

* Illustration candidates - see advisor.
** Interactive Multimedia Design candidates - see advisor.
*** G.E. courses can be double-counted with major requirements. This total indicates that courses in G.E. Breadth C1 and G.E. Breadth E1 may be applied to the art major. These courses include ARTH 10, 11; ART 20, 40, 50 (G.E. C1); and/or ART 13 (G.E. E1). Consult the department chair or adviser for additional details. 

Advising Notes

1. A portfolio is required to continue in the B.F.A. in Graphic Design.
2. The portfolio needs to be submitted for review only after the student has completed the art and design core courses and all the lower-division graphic design required courses.
3. The student must PASS the portfolio review to continue in the B.F.A. in Graphic Design.
4. For continuation in the B.F.A. in Graphic Design, all courses required for the major must receive a letter grade of C or higher.
5. Student work may be retained for a limited period for display and accreditation visits.

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Faculty

The faculty of the department offer diverse, skilled, and professional approaches to art and design education. The methods of teaching reflect distinctive yet complementary ways and means of introducing their disciplines while guiding students through the program with a sense of dedication and commitment to the education of artists, designers, and scholars.

For faculty phone numbers and e-mail, see the campus directory.

For more on the faculty, see the faculty pages.
The faculty pages are updated by the department or program.

Roadmap

B.F.A. in Graphic Design

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Careers

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design is a professional program providing directed studies and is designed for students seeking in-depth preparation for specialized educational and career goals.

The curriculum explores the many aspects of graphic design, including the physical, cognitive, social, and cultural human factors. It will also explore theories, principles, and practice in relation to typography, illustration, computer graphics, Web design, motion graphics, history of graphic design, and creative critical visual thinking skills that are applicable to professional practice and to meet entrance requirements to graduate school.

What You Can Earn

Graphic Design Specialist
$49,215 (in our region)

Technical Illustrator
$53,122 (in our region)

Painter/Illustrator
$39,064

Web Designer
$64,353 (in our region)

Estimations calculated at salary.com as of December 2012

Interesting Classes You Might Take

• Graphic Concept Development
• Digital Illustration
• Professional Practices
• Packaging Design
• Motion Graphics

What You Can Learn

• Theories and applications of graphic design
• Advanced concepts and techniques in graphic design, illustration and interactive multimedia
• To become a professional designer in the field

About the College

The College of Arts and Humanities provides a diverse student population with the communication skills, humanistic values and cultural awareness that form the foundation of scholarship. The college offers intellectual and artistic programs that engage students and faculty and the community in collaboration, dialog and discovery. These programs help preserve, illuminate and nourish the arts and humanities for the campus and for the wider community.

College Contact Information

College of Arts & Humanities
Office of the Dean
2380 E. Keats MS/MB99
Fresno CA 93740-8024

Phone: (559) 278-3056
FAX: (559) 278-6758
Email

Where We Are Located:
West wing of the Music Building in Room 186.

Department Contact Information

Phone: (559) 278-2516
FAX: (559) 278-4706

Mailing Address:

Department of Art, Design, and Art History
California State University, Fresno
5225 North Backer Avenue M/S 65
Fresno, California 93740-8001

Where We are Located:
Conley Art Building, Room 105