Graphic Design (BA)
Graphic designers plan and execute designs for visual communication according to the needs of audiences and clients. The graphic design major prepares graduates to go into entry-level graphic design jobs and freelance work; or potentially, to develop a career path that moves into marketing, digital media, or continue on to graduate level studies.
Program Mission
The mission of the Graphic Design program is to inspire, educate, and prepare students, artistically, technically, and professionally, for careers in the field of visual communications. Rooted in the liberal arts tradition of the College, students gain a broad knowledge and develop focused dedication, using their well-honed skills to influence and transform culture through design.
Program Outcomes
- Graduates will have visual communication problem solving skills using good typography, layout, text, and images.
- Graduates will have proficiency in current graphic design software.
- Graduates will have a good understanding of best practices for the production of both print and digital design deliverables.
- Graduates will have a professional portfolio reflecting a variety of media used in the industry.
- Graduates will have perspectives on the role of design in promoting the good of people and societies and experience working with diverse clientele.
Process to Declare a Major in Graphic Design
Students interested in declaring a major in Graphic Design must submit a review packet by February 15, ideally of their sophomore year. It will generally take a student at least four semesters to complete the major requirements after acceptance to the major. In order to submit a packet for review, a student must have completed ART-2300 Graphic Design I, and be enrolled in (or have completed) ART-3310 Typography.
Faculty carefully consider each applicant’s comprehensive review packet that includes: an application, an essay, a portfolio, an entrance exam, and 2–3 evaluations from instructors. (See details on preparing each component in the Graphic Design Major’s Handbook.)
Upon review, each review packet’s status will be changed from Applicant to one of the following:
Acceptance to the major
- Indicates that the student not only met, but exceeded the minimum expectations for the packet, and has demonstrated the necessary motivation, skill, dedication, and creativity required for successful completion of the requirements of the Graphic Design major.
- Allows the student to submit the Petition for Acceptance into a Major Program to the Department Chair.
- Allows the student to enroll in upper-division Graphic Design courses (ART-33XX, ART-43XX)
Provisional Approval
- Indicates that the student’s packet did not meet or exceed expectations on all criteria but demonstrated sufficient motivation and dedication that the faculty believe the student could show the necessary improvement with an additional semester of study.
- Allows the student to enroll in junior-level Graphic Design courses (ART-33XX) for the following semester only.
- Student will submit an updated packet after mid-term the following semester for a final determination of Acceptance or Denial of Admission
Denial of Admission
- Indicates that the applicant has not met the minimum requirements for acceptance into the major and does not demonstrate potential to improve to a sufficient level to continue progressing through the curriculum.
- Student may submit a new packet for review the following year.
Notification
Applicants will be notified of the admission status in writing before enrollment for summer and fall semester courses begins. An applicant may appeal any adverse decision by submitting a written petition to the Graphic Design faculty.
Transfer Students
Students accepted into Benedictine College as a transfer from another institution who want to major in Graphic Design must be accepted into the program using the same review process detailed above, but may request to go through it over the summer if appropriate.
Basic information for all majors in the department
Each major will create a degree plan with his or her Art and Design academic advisor, based on interests, abilities, and projected career path. Students are encouraged to design the most intensive studio program possible. This is especially important for students with future plans for studying at the graduate level and those who plan to be practicing graphic designers.
A “C–” or better must be earned in each required course to count toward completion of the degree.
Transfer students pursuing a major in the Department of Art and Design must take a minimum of 60% of the coursework required for the major at Benedictine College.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Core (24 hours) | ||
| ART-1000 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART-1010 | Foundations of 2-D Design: Comp & Color | 3 |
| ART-1030 | Foundations of 3-D Design: Form & Space | 3 |
| ART-2300 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| ART-2500 | Printmaking I | 3 |
| ART-2800 | Basic Digital Photography | 3 |
| ART-3301 | Graphic Design II | 3 |
| ART-3302 | Graphic Design III | 3 |
| ART-3310 | Typography | 3 |
| Art History Component (9 hours) | ||
| ART-3412 | Art History II (survey) | 3 |
| ART-3413 | Twentieth Century Art | 3 |
| ART-3415 | History of Graphic Design | 3 |
| Complementary Studies in Mass Communications and Marketing (6 hours) | ||
| JOUR-4750 | Mass Media Law & Ethics | 3 |
| MKTG-3100 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| Internship (0–4 hours) | ||
| ART-4780 | Art Internship | 0 |
| Graphic Design Electives (9 hours) | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
Any course numbered ART-33** or ART-43** not otherwise required for the major | ||
| Consumer Behavior | ||
| Integrated Marketing Communications | ||
| Capstone Experience (7 hours) | ||
| ART-4310 | Design Thinking & Practice | 2 |
| ART-4311 | Design for Social Good | 3 |
| ART-4950 | Senior Project & Portfolio | 2 |
| Total Hours | 55 | |
Suggested Sequence of Courses for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| ART-1000 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART-1010 | Foundations of 2-D Design: Comp & Color | 3 |
| THEO-1100 | Introduction to Theology | 3 |
| ENGL-1010 | English Composition | 3 |
| GNST-1000 | BC Experience | 1 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ART-1030 | Foundations of 3-D Design: Form & Space | 3 |
| ART-2800 | Basic Digital Photography | 3 |
| PHIL-1750 | Principles of Nature | 3 |
| Mathematical Reasoning Foundation | 3-4 | |
| EXSC Fitness Course | 1 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ART-2300 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| ART-2500 | Printmaking I | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ART-3301 | Graphic Design II | 3 |
| ART-3412 | Art History II (survey) | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| Natural World Foundation (w/o lab) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ART-3415 | History of Graphic Design | 3 |
| ART-3310 | Typography | 3 |
| Natural World Foundation (w/lab) | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Graphic Design Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ART-3413 | Twentieth Century Art | 3 |
| MKTG-3100 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| ART-3302 | Graphic Design III | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| EXSC-1115 | Wellness for Life | 1 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Summer | ||
| Summer Internship | 0-4 | |
| Hours | 0-4 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ART-4310 | Design Thinking & Practice | 2 |
| ART-4311 | Design for Social Good | 3 |
| Graphic Design Elective | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ART-4950 | Senior Project & Portfolio | 2 |
| JOUR-4750 | Mass Media Law & Ethics | 3 |
| Graphic Design Elective | 3 | |
| Global Perspective | 3 | |
| Electives | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 128-133 | |