The specialization in graphic design offers students an educational experience that focuses on preparation for professional practice in communication design that includes branding and visual identity, publication, interactive, web, motion, and data visualization. This cross-media approach ensures that students are prepared to create both physical and digital experiences, and think critically about the most appropriate media for a particular message and audience. The program also includes a social impact-driven curriculum that embraces publicly engaged and collaborative design practices through its partnership with Express Newark by means of the Design Consortium, Visual Means, and XPress initiatives.
The graphic design program consists of 27 courses earning 81 credits, with an additional 6 credits of Department of Arts, Culture, and Media (ACM) departmental requirements. Within this demanding curriculum, students not only gain exposure to various technical skills and design methodologies, but they are also exposed to complex theories and processes for research and problem solving within the field. Along with studio work in design, students take advanced classes that explore art and design history, critical writings, theoretical approaches, and diverse cultural/historical contexts, as well as professional practice. Students' work is informed by this integration of history, theory, social/cultural conditions, and practice, which bolsters students' abilities of observation, analysis, and synthesis. The goal of the specialization in graphic design is to develop practicing designers that possess the knowledge necessary to become innovative and responsible problem solvers and citizen designers. Students also may take advantage of internship opportunities in the tristate metropolitan area. During their senior year, students develop a body of advanced-level work through the Senior Capstone project that is exhibited in a professional gallery. The Capstone project and exhibition provide students with public exposure and helps build their portfolio for job placement and/or admission to graduate school.
Major Requirements for Major in Art (081): Specialization in Graphic Design (B.F.A.)
Required Foundation Courses (27 credits)
21:085:102 Design Fundamentals (3)
21:085:103 3-D Design Fundamentals (3) or 21:085:109 Introduction to 3-D Modeling (3)
21:080:121 Introduction to Drawing (3)
21:080:223 Figure Drawing (3)
21:080:251 Introduction to Painting (3)
21:080:261 Introduction to Photography (3) or 21:080:263 Introduction to Digital Photography (3)
21:080:273 Introduction to Printmaking (3)
21:082:101 Introduction to Art History I (3)
21:082:102 Introduction to Art History II (3)
Art History Requirements (9 credits in consultation with adviser)
21:082:202 History of Design (3)**
**Writing Intensive Requirement
21:082:350 Development of Modern Art (3)
21:082:360 Art Since 1945 (3)
Required Critical Studies Courses (6 credits)
21:080:285 Seminar in Contemporary Art (3)* **
*ACM Critical Studies Core Requirement
**Writing Intensive Requirement
21:085:399 Seminar in Contemporary Design (3)
Senior Program (9 credits in consultation with adviser)
21:085:496 Cross-Media Design Studio (3)
21:085:497 Senior Studio Seminar I (3)
21:085:498 Senior Studio Seminar II (3)
Courses of Specialization (30 credits)
21:085:231 Graphic Design I (3)
21:085:232 Graphic Design II (3)
21:085:331 Graphic Design III (3)
21:085:332 Graphic Design IV (3)
21:085:333 Motion Design (3)
21:085:334 Interactive Design (3)
21:085:336 Interactive Design II (3)
21:085:370 Computers in Graphic Design (3)
21:085:396 Visual Means (3)
21:085:398 Design Consortium (3)
Electives which may substitute for 21:085:396 or 21:085:398 (following consultation with adviser)
21:085:305 Problems in Graphic Design: Advanced Letterpress (3)
21:085:200 Core Topics in Graphic Design: Letter Press Printing at Express Newark (3)
Arts, Culture, and Media Departmental Core Requirements for Specialization in Graphic Design (B.F.A.) (Also see Critical Studies*) (6 credits)
21:083:101 Introduction to Arts, Culture, and Media (3)
21:083:301 Colloquium in
Arts, Culture, and Media (3) or 21:083:401
Seminar in Arts, Culture,
and Media (3)
School of Arts and Sciences-Newark 
