Graphic Design (B.F.A.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

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Program Coordinator/Contact

Pat Crawford, Director
School of Design
Chicoine Architecture, Mathematics & Engineering Hall 378, Box 2225
605-688-4103

Program Information

The major in Graphic Design provides a comprehensive visual communication experience, including mobile technology, interface design, user experience design, animation and motion graphics, product/package design, brand identity design, data visualization design, and entrepreneurship. Graduates of the Graphic Design program will create professional portfolios, engage in real experiences working in industry, and have the opportunity to build strong connections with professionals nationally and internationally. South Dakota State University graduates are prepared to work in almost any field imaginable. A 12-credit visual arts core taken in conjunction with the graphic design sequence supports the degree and creates a foundation for success. Through taking the core and taking 6 additional ART, ARTH or ARTE courses, majors qualify for the Studio Arts Minor adding breadth and depth to the degree.

Student Learning Outcomes

Acquire core knowledge of graphic design practice.
Demonstrate fluency in the visual vocabulary and technical skills relevant to Graphic Design – Typography, Grid systems across analog and digital media, visual narratives (photography, illustration, and type-as-image), and conceptualization of the work based on research.
Imagine and articulate research, conceptualization, and varied solutions (generate effective ideas) to any problem.
Display innovative synergies of media types across print, screen, packaging and emerging media and excel in one or several of the following Areas of Emphasis: Print, Packaging & Environmental, Interaction Design, Media Fluency, Motion.
Demonstrate the ability to function as an effective member of a team.
Demonstrate the professional awareness and physical preparation necessary to enter the design workspace.

Academic Requirements

Graphic Design students must maintain at least a major GPA of 2.6 and an overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the duration of the program. A grade of a “C” or better is required in all ART, ARTE, ARTH, GDES, DSGN, LA, ARCH, and ID courses. The Graphic Design degree requires the completion of internship experience during the summer between the junior and senior years and a travel studies course required during the summer any year between sophomore and senior years.

Equipment and Supplies

The Graphic Design major requires students to own a laptop computer by the start of their sophomore year. The required computer specifications are listed on the SDSU website.

Course Delivery Format

Course content is delivered through hands-on studio work combined with lectures, demonstrations, and critiques.

Requirements for Graphic Design Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Fine Arts

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101 - Composition I (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
and
ENGL 201 - Composition II (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
CMST 101 - Fundamentals of Speech (COM) [SGR #2] Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity: SGR #3 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity: ART 111 - Drawing I (COM) [SGR #4] Credits: 3 ^S and SGR #4 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #5 Mathematics: SGR #5 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences: SGR #6 Elective Credits: 6

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements

Bachelor of Fine Arts Requirements: 3

AHSS 111 - Introduction to Global Citizenship and Diversity Credits: 3
Capstone course in the major discipline
Upper division coursework Credits: 33

System General Education and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences for additional information about Bachelor of Fine Arts specifications.

School of Design Requirements

DSGN 110 - Creative Thinking Credits: 3 ^S
DSGN 121 - Design I 2D (COM) [SGR #4] Credits: 3 ^S
DSGN 452 - Design Capstone Credits: 2 ^S

School of Design Electives

Select 6 credits from the list below. Students are required to complete six credits of elective shops, studios, or history courses in another School of Design discipline. Courses may not include GDES, ART, or ARTH prefix. Contact the School of Design advisor for approval of additional courses. Credits: 6 ^S

ARCH 241 - Construction History [SGR #4] Credits: 3
ARCH 442 - History of Ideas Credits: 3
ID 112 - Drafting and Visualization Credits: 2
ID 180 - Introduction to Interior Design Credits: 2
ID 209 - Human Factors and Behavior Credits: 3
ID 215 - Interior Design Materials Credits: 3
ID 216 - Light and Color Credits: 3
ID 341 - History of Interior Design I Credits: 3
ID 342 - History of Interior Design II Credits: 3
LA 101 - Ecology and the Built Landscape Credits: 3
LA 132 - Seeing and Drawing the Land Credits: 3
LA 231 - Digital Drafting and Mapping Credits: 2
LA 232 - Digital Representation Credits: 2
LA 242 - People and the Environment Credits: 3
LA 251 - Site Analysis Credits: 4
LA 252 - Site Planning Credits: 4

Major Requirements

GDES 101 - Computer Graphics Credits: 3
GDES 203 - Animation Foundations I Credits: 3
GDES 207 - Interactive Design I Credits: 3
GDES 209 - Design Research Credits: 3
GDES 216 - Typography Credits: 3
GDES 304 - Motion Graphics Credits: 3
GDES 307 - Interactive Design II Credits: 3
GDES 310 - Branding Strategy and Identity Design Credits: 3
GDES 312 - Sustainable Package Design Credits: 3
GDES 401 - Professional Studio Practice Credits: 3
or GDES 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-3 (3 credits required)
GDES 402 - Portfolio Design Credits: 3
GDES 410 - Data Visualization Design Credits: 3
GDES 415 - Publication Design Credits: 3
GDES 417 - UX and UI Design Credits: 3 (Capstone)
GDES 482 - Travel Studies Credits: 1-3 (3 credits required)
GDES Elective: 3

Major Electives

ART (Art Studio) Elective: 3
ART/GDES/MCOM (Animation, Photography or Video Media) Elective: 3

Supporting Coursework

ART 111 - Drawing I (COM) [SGR #4] Credits: 3 ^S
ART 112 - Drawing II (COM) [SGR #4] Credits: 3 ^S
ART 122 - Design II Color (COM) Credits: 3 ^S
ARTH 211 - History of World Art I (COM) [SGR #4] Credits: 3 ^AH
ARTH 212 - History of World Art II (COM) [SGR #4] Credits: 3 ^AH
ARTH 312 - History of Graphic Design (COM) Credits: 3 ^AH
ARTH 490 - Seminar (COM) Credits: 1-3 (History of Modern Design) (3 credits required)^AH

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Notes

^AH Art History B.F.A. Coursework
^SSupportive B.F.A. Studies

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Fine Arts
System General Education Requirements	30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements	3 Credit Hours
School of Design Requirements*	14 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	54 Credit Hours
Supporting Coursework	18 Credit Hours
Electives**	1 Credit Hour

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.