BA in Graphic Design

• Students will acquire and demonstrate understanding and proficiency with fundamental concepts of visual art and design. (Cross-curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving)
• Students will acquire and demonstrate understanding and proficiency with fundamental precepts in art and design history. (Cross-curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Intercultural Knowledge)
• Students will acquire and demonstrate understanding and proficiency with fine art media. (Cross-curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
• Students will acquire and demonstrate understanding and proficiency with digital art media. (Cross-curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
• Students will acquire and demonstrate understanding and proficiency with professional methods of practice. (Cross-curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Problem Solving)

First Year Fall

• IDL 190, Freshman Seminar 2
• SPCM 101, Fundamentals of Speech* 3
• MATH 114/L, College Algebra* 3-4
• ART 111, Drawing I 3
• ART 121, Design I 2D 3

First Year Spring

• ENGL 101, Composition I 3
• Behavioral/Social Sciences Course 3
• Natural Science with Lab Course 3-4
• ARTD 113, Introduction to Digital Media 3
• ART 123, Three Dimensional Design 3

Second Year Fall

• ENGL 201, Composition II 3
• HIST 121, Western Civilization I* 3
• Introductory or Intermediate Foreign Language 3-4
• ARTD 231, Graphic Design I 3
• ART 270, Photography Techniques I 3

Second Year Spring

• Arts and Humanities Course: Literature 3
• Natural Science with Lab Course 3-4
• ARTH 312, History of Graphic Design 3
• ARTD 241, 2D Motion Graphics I** 3
• ARTD 334, Digital Imaging I 3

Third Year Fall

• Behavioral/Social Sciences Course 3
• ARTH 211, History of World Art I 3
• ARTD 333, Web Page Design I 3
• ARTD 335, Digital Illustration I 3
• Graphic Design Major Course 3

Third Year Spring

• ARTH 212, History of World Art II 3
• ARTH 250, Art and Ethics* 3
• ARTD 331, Graphic Design II** 3
• Graphic Design Major Course 3
• ART/ARTD/ARTH Elective Course 3

Fourth Year Fall

• ARTH 311, History of World Art III 3
• Graphic Design Major Course 3
• Graphic Design Major Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3

Fourth Year Spring

• ARTD 489, Senior Capstone 3
• ART/ARTD/ARTH Elective Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3
• Elective or Minor Course 3-4

*Fulfills a General Education Requirement. Other course options may be available.
**Fulfills a major requirement. Other course options may be available.
***Fulfills a general elective. Other course options may be available.

This plan of study is not an official document. Depending on placement scores, developmental courses may be required. Course rotations may change. Please visit with a professional advisor at least once a semester to review appropriate course choices and plan updates.

Northern's art students are trained in entrepreneurial thinking as self-starters, problem solvers, and innovators, and career paths are varied and plentiful. For graduating seniors, the senior capstone experience includes practical steps and strategies for career planning.

Art-graphic design graduates are prepared to succeed as self-employed professional digital designers, or with marketing, advertising, and design agencies, corporate design careers, web-based sales and promotion, private schools, colleges, and community centers.

Internships

All students gain valuable real-world experience during the required minimum one-semester internship experience. Typical placements include local design agencies and businesses, printing companies, and web media companies.