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Undergraduate programs

Graphic Design—B.F.A.

The graphic design program provides a comprehensive education in design principles, applications, theories, history, and practice.

The first two years of study culminate with a required Sophomore Portfolio Review, occurring once each year at the end of the Spring term. All students majoring in graphic design (including students transferring in with lower- or upper-division credits) must pass this review to enroll in 300-level graphic design courses. Visit the School of Art + Design website (http://www.pdx.edu/art-design/) or the graphic design program site (http://psu.gd) for details. Only after successfully passing the review are graphic design majors allowed to continue through the program.

All students majoring in graphic design are required to own a laptop computer that meets minimum system specifications, including software required for courses in the program. The current laptop policy is available for review at

http://www.pdx.edu/art-design/sites/www.pdx.edu.art-design/files/PSUGD_LaptopGuide_16_17.pdf.

Degree Requirements

100-Level Courses

Art 101CORE: Surface

5
Art 102CORE: Space

5
Art 103CORE: Time

5
Art 104CORE: Digital Tools

2
Art 105CORE: Ideation

2
ArH 106Introduction to Visual Literacy

2
Des 111Design Thinking

4
Des 120Digital Design

4
Des 121Introduction to Type and Communication Design

4
Total Credit Hours:33

200-Level Courses

Des 200Digital Page Design I

4
Des 210Digital Imaging and Illustration I

4
Des 224Narrative and Communication Design

4
Des 225Communication Design Systems

4
Des 254Typography I

4
ArH 206History of Western Art

4
Des 290History of Modern Design

4
Total Credit Hours:28

Sophomore Portfolio Review

Electives

Choose two 4-credit 100, 200 or 300 level Graphic Design, Art Practice, or Art History courses

8
Total Credit Hours:8

300 & 400-Level Required Courses

Des 320Communication Design Studio III

4
Des 321Communication Design Studio IV

6
Des 341Interactive Media I

4
Des 354Typography II

4
Art 408Workshop

1-6
Des 470Design Thesis I

4
Des 471Design Thesis II

4
Des 472Communication Design Portfolio

6
Total Credit Hours:34

Choose 9 of the Following:

Des 299Special Studies

1-8
Des 300Digital Page Design II

4
Des 310Digital Imaging and Illustration II

4
Des 315Professional Development

4
Des 333Friendtorship: Design, Art and Social Change

4
Des 340Interaction Design Principles

4
Des 342Interactive Media II

4
Des 345Introduction to Motion Graphics for Designers

4
Des 353Typeface Design

4
Art 358/Des 358Video, Design & Community

4
Des 367Design Business Practices

4
Des 399Special Studies

1-8
Des 425A+D Projects

4
Des 441Interface Design

4
Total Credit Hours:36

Total Credit Hours: 139