Graphic Design Major (BA)
The graphic design major includes the art core curriculum as well as courses in specialized areas pertinent to the commercial graphic design industry. In all, the major provides a holistic curriculum that offers diverse approaches to visual language. The emphasis of this curriculum is one that focuses on the designer as artist and not simply a technician. In addition, students in the major have opportunities to work with regionally-based clients within the classroom setting. This provides a sample of real-world experiences similar to those in the career field while still maintaining the mentorship of professional instructors.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Creativity: Using various art-making techniques, students create works that reveal and communicate their personal style and conceptual ideas. (Communication and Personal/Social Responsibility)
- Visual Analysis: Students analyze and evaluate the historical, formal, and conceptual components of artwork, including their own. (Reasoned Judgment)
- Communication: Students communicate competently in formats expected in the profession. (Communication)
- Personal and Social Responsibility: Students are responsible and thoughtful as contributors to visual culture and as members of UW-P studio/lab/lecture areas. (Personal and Social Responsibility)
Requirements for the Graphic Design Major
All graphic design majors must maintain a minimum 2.75 grade point average in the major to remain in the program. If a student cannot maintain the required GPA, he/she may consider completing the 48-credit “general” art major and design certificate instead.
All students earning a graphic design major must complete a minimum of 21 credits within the major at UW-Parkside.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations | ||
| These courses serve as prerequisites for most of the curriculum. | ||
| ART 102 | Introduction to Two Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART 103 | Introduction to 3-D Design | 3 |
| ART 104 | Introduction to Digital Art | 3 |
| ART 105 | Introduction to Graphic Design | 3 |
| ART 122 | Introduction to Drawing | 3 |
| Graphic Design Fundamentals | ||
| ART 274 | Typography I | 3 |
| ART 372 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| ART 374 | Typography II | 3 |
| ART 377 | Interactive Design I | 3 |
| ART 472 | Graphic Design II | 3 |
| Drawing | ||
| Each course can only count toward one requirement area. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intermediate Drawing | ||
| Life Drawing | ||
| Two Dimensional Experience | ||
| Each course can only count toward one requirement area. Prerequisites apply. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Beginning Print Media | ||
| Beginning Painting | ||
| Introductory Topics in Two-Dimensional Studio Art | ||
| Intermediate Drawing | ||
| Life Drawing | ||
| Digital Photography | ||
| Three Dimensional Experience | ||
| Each course can only count toward one requirement area. Prerequisites apply. | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Beginning Ceramics | ||
| Beginning Sculpture | ||
| Beginning Woodworking and Furniture Design | ||
| Topics in Three-Dimensional Studio Art: | ||
| Digital Fabrication II | ||
| Upper Division Elective | ||
| Each course can only count toward one requirement area. Prerequisites apply. | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intermediate Ceramics | ||
| Intermediate Drawing | ||
| Life Drawing | ||
| Intermediate sculpture | ||
| Intermediate Woodworking and Furniture Design | ||
| Intermediate Print Media | ||
| Digital Fabrication II | ||
| Intermediate Painting | ||
| Intermediate Topics in Two-Dimensional Studio Art | ||
| Intermediate Topics in Three-Dimensional Studio Art | ||
| Special Topics in Art | ||
| Advanced Drawing | ||
| Figure Studio | ||
| Digital Fabrication III | ||
| Art and Design History | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Foundations of Art and Visual Culture | ||
| Survey of World Art | ||
| Modern Art and Graphic Design | ||
| Selected Topics in Art History | ||
| Additional Graphic Design Courses | ||
| ART 387 must be taken twice with different topics. | 6 | |
| Topics in Graphic Design | ||
| ART 477 | Interactive Design II | 3 |
| Capstone Courses | ||
| ART 486 | Design Portfolio I | 3 |
| ART 487 | Design Portfolio II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 63 | |
- 1
Other relevant, upper division courses that address the history of art or visual culture may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the art history advisor.
Degree Requirements (Bachelor's Degree)
In addition to individual program requirements, students must also fulfill the following requirements.
- Complete 120 credits of college work. This must include 36 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. Certain elementary courses are identified in the catalog and/or course schedule as not counting toward the 120 credits required for graduation. In addition, only the first 8 credits of physical education activity courses (100-level) may be counted toward graduation or grade point averages (GPA).
- Earn a minimum of 30 credits toward their undergraduate degree at UW-Parkside. Individual departments and programs may require that certain courses must be taken at UW-Parkside. Students must complete all course work to be counted toward graduation by the end of the semester/subscription period in which they graduate.
- Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale. Some programs have higher GPA requirements. Transfer students must also have a cumulative 2.00 GPA on the combination of transfer credits accepted and credits attempted at UW-Parkside.
- Complete an approved major program of study with the minimum major GPA as specified by the program or department. Usually, the minimum GPA is 2.00 on a 4.00 scale, but some majors require a higher GPA. Students who apply transfer credits to their majors must also meet the minimum major GPA requirement on the combination of transfer credits and UW-Parkside credits. At least 15 credits of upper level course work (courses numbered 300 or higher) must be completed at UW-Parkside. A student may not graduate with an incomplete grade in major course work if failure in that course would reduce the GPA in the major below the minimum GPA.
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Minimum Total Credits | 120 |
| Core General Education | 35 |
| Upper Level Credits (300 level or above) | 36 |
| Residency | 30 |
See the undergraduate policy section for more specific information about Core General Education Requirements. A list of approved courses is available in the General Education program section of the catalog.