Communication Design Major, B.F.A.

All students entering the department wishing to pursue the B.F.A. in Communication Design will be admitted under the B.A. in Art. Entrance into the B.F.A. program is contingent on passing a formal portfolio review upon completing 21 credits in CDES, ART, ARTE, or ARTH, inclusive of the 18 credits of foundation courses required for all students in the department. Additionally, students must have completed their General Studies requirements in Written Communication, Oral Communication, and Quantitative Literacy and have a minimum of 3.0 G.P.A. in the proposed major (calculated in a degree progress report processed by the department as “what-if” for the Communication Design major) at the time of portfolio review.

The course CDES 3222 - Design Research Methods  is restricted to Communication Design majors who have passed the BFA in Communication Design portfolio review. Students are advised to work with an advisor to plan their degree progress and anticipated portfolio application date well in advance of this course.

Communication Design students must have a suitable laptop computer before proceeding with CDES 3225  and subsequent courses. See an advisor for specifications.

A grade of “C-” or better is required in each required course before progressing to subsequent courses. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.

The B.F.A. in Communication Design is an extended major; no minor is required. Communication Design majors who elect to take a minor in Studio Art, Art History, Theory and Criticism, Digital Media, or Industrial Design should be aware that coursework used to meet requirements for the major may not be used to meet requirements for a minor. Art History, Theory and Criticism is a distinct academic discipline from Art or Communication Design, although all reside within the Department of Art and share common foundational requirements.

The following courses are required for the B.F.A in Communication Design major. Please consult the program advising  guide for recommended course sequence.