Graphic Design

MA GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DIGITAL MEDIA DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of Final Portfolio Review.
• Minimum grade of C in all required 36 units.
• Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirement:
  1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic Sensitivity course

Additional Information

Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Critical & Creative Thinking

• Conduct appropriate research to identify problems and potential solutions
• Demonstrate the resourcefulness and flexibility necessary to conceive and execute design solutions

Conceptual Skills

• Create compelling and engaging visual communications that convey appropriate messages and ideas
• Address problems through a design process
• Create visual communications demonstrating competent formal design skills which include: hierarchy, typography, aesthetics, composition and construction of meaningful images
• Demonstrate competence in media, materials, tools, technology, and techniques

Professional Readiness

• Effectively present and communicate ideas
• Demonstrate the skills necessary for chosen career path through the presentation of a cohesive body of work

Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
2. Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
3. Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
4. Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
5. Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
6. Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
7. Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
8. Engage with a variety of communities beyond the classroom through internship opportunities, study abroad programs, athletics, student interest clubs as well as collaborative, civic and pro bono projects.

MFA GRAPHIC DESIGN DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of Final Thesis Project.
• Minimum grade of C in all required 63 units.
• Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirements:
  1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic Sensitivity course
  1 Cross Cultural Understanding course
  1 Professional Practices & Communications course

Additional Information

Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Critical & Creative Thinking

• Conduct appropriate research to identify problems and potential solutions
• Initiate appropriate level of audience involvement and participation
• Demonstrate the resourcefulness and flexibility necessary to conceive and execute design solutions

Conceptual Skills

• Create compelling and engaging visual communications that convey appropriate messages and ideas
• Address problems through a design process
• Develop design solutions that function effectively within a defined context (social, cultural, technological, economic, etc.)

Formal Skills

• Create visual communications demonstrating competent formal design skills which include: hierarchy, typography, aesthetics, composition and construction of meaningful images
• Demonstrate competence in media, materials, tools, technology, and techniques

Professional Readiness

• Demonstrate sound organization and design project management skills
• Effectively present and communicate ideas
• Demonstrate the skills necessary for chosen career path through the presentation of a competent body of work

MFA Thesis Project

• Produce a comprehensive graduate thesis project that successfully utilizes design to solve for an identified problem
• Propose a graduate thesis project that identifies a problem, and has the potential for successful development using design

Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
2. Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
3. Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
4. Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
5. Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
6. Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
7. Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
8. Engage with a variety of communities beyond the classroom through internship opportunities, study abroad programs, athletics, student interest clubs as well as collaborative, civic and pro bono projects.

GRAPHIC DESIGN CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 2.0 GPA
• Minimum grade of C- in all core courses and major courses

Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Critical & Creative Thinking

• Identify appropriate audiences for defined problems
• Demonstrate the resourcefulness and flexibility necessary to conceive appropriate design solutions

Conceptual Skills

• Develop and prototype potential design solutions for specific problems
• Create visual communications that are audience appropriate
• Develop design solutions that function within a defined context recognizing physical, cognitive, cultural and social human factors

Formal Skills

• Create visual communications demonstrating competent formal design skills based in design principles: composition, balance, hierarchy, harmony, and contrast
• Create visual communications demonstrating competent formal design skills based in aesthetics: appropriate typography, composition and construction of meaningful imagery
• Utilize the appropriate media, materials, tools, technology, platforms, and techniques to create visual communications

Professional Readiness

• Effectively present and communicate ideas
• Demonstrate the skills necessary for chosen career path through the presentation of a satisfactory body of work

Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
2. Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
3. Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
4. Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
5. Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
6. Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
7. Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
8. Engage with a variety of communities beyond the classroom through internship opportunities, study abroad programs, athletics, student interest clubs as well as collaborative, civic and pro bono projects.