The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art with a concentration in Graphic Design is a 122-hour professional degree. The 81-hour major combines art foundations, a sequence of graphic design studios, upper-level art history, studio electives in other areas, and the BFA Seminar.
Required course flow
Each course below opens the next one. Arrows follow the prerequisites listed in the JSU catalog.
Start here · Freshman and sophomore years
Art foundations
- ART 134 Drawing I
- ART 233 Design I
- ART 234 Drawing II
- ART 240 Design II
- ART 111 Survey of Art I and ART 112 Survey of Art II
- ART 335 Figure Drawing
Recommended freshman spring
ART 302 Introduction to Graphic Design
Prerequisite: ART 233 Design I. This fills the ART 341 Digital Literacy for Artists/Designers or ART 302 foundation requirement. Graphic Design students should take ART 302, not ART 341.
Fall of sophomore year
ART 298 Portfolio Review
Zero credit hours, pass/fail, offered each fall. Take it once you have ART 134, 233, 234, 240, and ART 111 or 112, and while you are taking or have finished ART 342 Graphic Design I. Passing it gets you into the BFA program and is required before any 400-level studio.
ART 342 Graphic Design I
Prerequisites: ART 134 Drawing I and ART 302 Introduction to Graphic Design.
ART 343 Graphic Design II
Prerequisite: ART 342 Graphic Design I.
ART 442 Interactive Design I
Prerequisite: ART 342 Graphic Design I or permission of instructor.
ART 430 Graphic Design III
Prerequisite: ART 343 Graphic Design II.
ART 431 Advanced Graphic Design IV
Prerequisite: ART 430 Graphic Design III.
One graphic design elective
Three hours from the list below. ART 434 Graphic Design Workshop and ART 481 Internship Graphic Design are strongly recommended.
Senior spring
ART 488 BFA Seminar
Requires acceptance into the BFA program and senior standing. Includes portfolio presentation and the BFA exhibition.
Graphic design electives
Choose three hours from these courses.
| Course | Prerequisite |
|---|---|
| ART 434 Graphic Design Workshop (strongly recommended) | ART 343 Graphic Design II or approval of instructor |
| ART 481 Internship Graphic Design (strongly recommended) | ART 430 Graphic Design III or permission of instructor |
| ART 352 Type in Motion | ART 342 Graphic Design I |
| ART 432 Introduction to Letterform Design | ART 329 and ART 429 |
| ART 435 Advanced Typography | ART 343 Graphic Design II |
| ART 438 Special Topics in Graphic Design | ART 343 Graphic Design II |
| ART 443 Interactive Design II | ART 442 Interactive Design I or permission of instructor |
| ART 492 Advanced Independent Study | See catalog |
The rest of the major
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Art foundation core courses | 24 |
| Graphic design concentration (the flow above) | 18 |
| Upper division art history: three courses, such as ART 402 Graphic Design History | 9 |
| Upper division studio electives: nine courses in at least two other studio areas | 27 |
| ART 488 BFA Seminar | 3 |
| Major total | 81 |
| Jax MIX general education | 41 |
| Degree total | 122 |
Getting into the BFA program
- Complete ART 111 Survey of Art I or ART 112 Survey of Art II, ART 134 Drawing I, ART 233 Design I, ART 234 Drawing II, ART 240 Design II, and ART 298 Portfolio Review.
- Take at least one course in the concentration and twelve hours of general studies.
- Hold at least a 2.50 GPA overall and a 3.00 GPA in the major.
- Pass portfolio review by the Art and Design faculty. Students need a C or better in every major course.
Source: JSU Catalog, Graphic Design (Bachelor of Fine Arts). Meet with your advisor every semester, and check the catalog for the version that applies to you.
