Graphic Design Major
Our 79 credit-hour Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program in Graphic Design will help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in print, package, web, installation, and multi-media design. An internship experience after the second year and our active student chapter of AIGA: The Professional Association for Design will connect you to career launching opportunities.
Important Notes
- 40% of major requirements must be completed at Judson.
- 40% of major requirements must be upper division.
- No grade lower than C- is accepted for major requirements.
- A minimum major GPA of 2.50 is required.
Pre-Requisites Required by Major
- ART224 History of Art I (3 c.h.) (fulfills Gen Ed History Requirement)
- ART427 Theories of the Visual (3 c.h.) (fulfills Gen Ed GEN301 Requirement)
- ART111 Drawing I (3 c.h.), ART123 Introduction to Photography (3 c.h.), and DES121 Design I (3 c.h.) (fulfill Gen Ed Visual and Performing Arts Requirement)
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Core | ||
| ARC101 | Shop Stewardship Materials and Processes | 1 |
| ART111 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART123 | Introduction to Photography | 3 |
| ART211 | Drawing II | 3 |
| ART212 | Painting I | 3 |
| DES121 | Design I | 3 |
| DES221 | Three Dimensional Design | 3 |
| DES228 | Typography I | 3 |
| DES229 | Typography II | 3 |
| DES231 | Digital Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| DES295 | Prof Practices in Graphic Design | 2 |
| DES319C | Creative Pract: Themes and Concepts | 3 |
| DES319M | Creative Pract: Tools and Methods | 3 |
| DES321 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| DES322 | Graphic Design II | 3 |
| DES331 | Web Design I | 3 |
| DES332 | Web Design II | 3 |
| DES395 | Internship Pract in Graphic Des | 1 |
| DES420 | Advanced Graphic Design | 3 |
| DES496 | Senior Proposal | 3 |
| DES497 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Art and Design History/Theory | ||
| ART224 | History of Art I | 3 |
| ART225 | History of Art II | 3 |
| ART324 | History of Art III | 3 |
| ART427 | Theories of the Visual | 3 |
| Studio Electives | ||
| Select 9 hours from the following: 1 | 9 | |
| Architectural Study Tour | ||
ART Art Studio Elective | ||
DES Design Studio Elective | ||
FLM Film Studio Elective | ||
| Total Hours | 79 | |
- 1
At least 7 hours must be upper division. Courses may not duplicate with the major core. Students may take Directed Research or Readings courses with advisor approval; additional information can be found in the Alternative Credit section of the catalog.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design (Four-Year Plan)
Academic planning is the student's responsibility. This Graduation Plan is designed to be a guide to assist students as they plan their course selections. This is only a suggested schedule, and is not a substitute for a student's Advising Worksheet, nor the Program Requirements in the Judson University Catalog. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and approval of an academic advisor. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time at which they entered the institution. Course requirements and sequencing may vary with AP courses, transfer courses, English/math placement, or other conditions.
A full-time course load for undergraduate students is 12-18 credits per semester. Illinois residents receiving state aid should register for 15 hours per semester.
In addition to the courses below, chapel is required for all traditional full-time students (i.e., those taking 12 or more credit hours), both residents and commuters. This course counts as 1 credit towards a student's full-time status within the term, but does not earn credits towards graduation.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| ART111 | Drawing I | 3 |
| DES121 | Design I | 3 |
| GEN101 or ESS101 |
Questions of Life: Entering the Judson Conversation 1 or Wellness |
1-2 |
| Physical Activity course | 1 | |
| ENG101 | Expository Writing (or ACT/SAT placement) | 3 |
| SPC120 | Foundations of Speech | 3 |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ARC101 | Shop Stewardship Materials and Processes | 1 |
| ART123 | Introduction to Photography | 3 |
| ART211 | Drawing II | 3 |
| DES231 | Digital Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| ENG102 | Critical Thinking and Writing (or ACT/SAT placement) | 3 |
| Math based on ACT/SAT placement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BST110 | Intro to the Christian Bible | 3 |
| ART212 | Painting I | 3 |
| ART224 | History of Art I | 3 |
| DES228 | Typography I | 3 |
| Studio Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| THS110 | Christian Faith: Understanding and Application | 3 |
| ART225 | History of Art II | 3 |
| DES221 | Three Dimensional Design | 3 |
| DES295 | Prof Practices in Graphic Design | 2 |
| DES321 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| Any Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| ART395 | Internship Practicum in Art | 1 |
| Hours | 1 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Gen Ed Science w/Lab | 4 | |
| ART324 | History of Art III | 3 |
| DES331 | Web Design I | 3 |
| DES322 | Graphic Design II | 3 |
| Studio Electives 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| HIS262 | History of Civilization II | 3 |
| ART427 | Theories of the Visual 3 | 3 |
| ART319C | Creative Pract: Themes and Concepts | 3 |
| ART319M | Creative Prac: Tools and Methods | 3 |
| DES229 | Typography II | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENG380 | Literature, Community, and Human Flourishing | 3 |
| PSY111 or SOC151 |
Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
| DES420 | Advanced Graphic Design | 3 |
| DES496 | Senior Proposal | 3 |
| Studio Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Gen Ed Biblical Studies Elective | 3 | |
| GEN401 | The Good Life: Continuing the Conversation | 3 |
| DES332 | Web Design II | 3 |
| DES497 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 121-122 | |
- 1
First-time students (those entering college directly from high school) should take GEN101; transfer students should take ESS101
- 2
see major audit
- 3
GEN301 equivalent