Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design

Overview

In Graphic Design, students acquire theoretical and practical knowledge in design and practice while developing a variety of skills in print and media design. Through their coursework, students explore typography, publication and packaging design, advertising, branding, and web design. They also learn about project briefs, research, and client interaction, and how to pitch, develop, and finally implement design proposals. Through community engagement and team-directed and client-based projects, students are encouraged to understand the social and cultural dimension of any project in order to become innovative leaders in design.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Theory and History of Graphic Design: Demonstrate an understanding of the evolution of graphic design and utilize styles and theoretical analyses to general visual solutions.
• Professional Graphic Design Practice: Test academic knowledge in real practice scenarios by delivering an idea to a range of audiences while following professional standards, time-management, and appropriate communication skills.
• Critical Thinking: Define, analyze a problem, empathize with an audience, as well as conceptualize and evaluate potential design solutions.
• Visual Literacy: Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of visual language to effectively communicate and convey ideas and/or messages through innovative design solutions.
• Information Technology: Integrate multiple design technologies with knowledge and proficiency in the appropriate media.
• Teamwork and Leadership: Participate in team dynamics prior to pursuing a stated goal and understand the importance of collaboration while assuming responsibility for self and team outcomes.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the major in Art and Design has been developed to be consistent with the accreditation standards of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) in the USA. Three culminating efforts provide the framework within which fourth-year students mature as artists or designers:

• The internship provides a career-related, experience-centered professional work opportunity from which students gain skills training and professional life experience.
• The Senior Project: while taking on a variety of forms, records their culminating skills, process, and research. The goal of the process is for students to create a body of work that demonstrates growth as artists/designers, thinkers, and new members of the artistic and professional community.
• The Senior Exhibition: provides an opportunity for a group show in a public venue, which gives students public recognition for their work.

In addition to academic and studio work, art students participate in field trips to museums, galleries, archaeological and architectural sites and become involved in various University events and other activities which demonstrate their versatility and competence.

Admission to Zayed University

UAE National Applicants

To be considered for admission, all National applicants must possess a valid UAE passport, valid UAE National Identity Certificate, and UAE ID.

Applicants from a high school following the UAE curriculum must have 12 years of school and an attested General School Leaving Certificate, a minimum 70% average in academic subjects, a minimum CEPA English score of 150, and a CEPA Mathematics score (no minimum score is currently required).

Applicants from a high school following an International curriculum must have 12 years of school: GCSE/IGCSE must complete five subjects at the ordinary level and two subjects at the GCE Advanced Subsidiary or Advanced level, with a passing grade in each subject. International Baccalaureate must successfully complete five subjects.

If you are currently in high school or have completed high school this year: Submit a completed application form with all documentation attached and Zayed University selected as your primary choice of institution to the National Admissions and Placement Office (NAPO). Applications are submitted online at http://www.napo.ae

International Applicants

Zayed University also welcomes applications from International students. For more details about admission requirements and application forms for International students, please visit http://www.zu.ac.ae/main/en/enroll/ international.aspx

The Academic Bridge Program (ABP): Success at Zayed University requires proficiency in both Arabic and English languages. Students admitted to the University are initially placed either directly into the baccalaureate program or into the Academic Bridge Program. This placement depends primarily upon each student’s proficiency in English as measured by the Common Educational Proficiency Assessment (CEPA) exam administered by the National Admissions and Placement Office (NAPO) in the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Students initially placed into the ABP progress into University College and the baccalaureate program only once they successfully complete the Academic Bridge Program exit requirements and achieve the required level of English proficiency (overall band score of 5.0 or greater) as measured by the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) exams.

University College (UC): University College is responsible for delivering Zayed University’s general education program, organized as the Colloquy on Integrated Learning, The Colloquy Program initiates the baccalaureate careers of all Zayed University students. University College offers a high-quality foundational education, the Colloquy on Integrated Learning, to all Zayed University students. It prepares them for their future majors and eventual employment. The experience instills in them a desire for lifelong learning, fosters intellectual curiosity, and engenders critical thinking.

Admission to the Major

The College of Arts and Creative Enterprises requires that the applicant fulfill the following requirements for acceptance:

• Satisfactory completion of 42 semester credit hours or more;
• Attainment of a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher;
• Achievement of grades of C- or better in COL 140, COL 145, and COL 270; and
• Achievement of passing grades in COL 105, COL 110, COL 111, COL 120, COL 130, COL 135, COL 150, COL 155, COL 165, COL 230, COL 255, and COL 260.

(COL 260 and COL 270 may be scheduled for semester three, four, five or six)

The College also requires that entering students achieve a grade of C- or higher in one practical art course (ART 201 or ART 205).

Accreditation

Zayed University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (USA), which assures internationally recognized programs from a quality-assured university. The College of Arts and Creative Sciences programs are recognized as substantially equivalent by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (USA).