Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, BFA

Graphic Design student smiling in front of CURCA presentation for undergraduate research.

Empower Your Creativity with the BFA in Graphic Design: Mastering Visual Communication and Innovation

The BFA in Graphic Design prepares students for diverse careers in various fields of graphic design. The program emphasizes professional development, equipping students with industry-related terminology and hands-on experience using industry equipment. Students develop strong communication skills to discuss visual arts theory critically and analyze designs both individually and collaboratively. They master current digital technologies creatively, integrating aesthetic and technical aspects of studio arts. Through courses in art history and non-Western art, students contextualize their ideas within broader art history frameworks, demonstrating visual literacy and intelligence in their field.

Program Highlights

  • Gain hands-on experience to enhance job market competitiveness
  • Find your creative voice, harness visual communication power, and graduate with enhanced artistic skills
  • Explore careers in the diverse fields of visual design

Discover your path in graphic design.

Explore our BFA program today.

Unleash your creativity and master visual communication.

  • Students in a graphic design class with instructor giving a presentation.

    Flexible Learning Modalities

    The Graphic Design program offers traditional in-person, remote synchronous, and online classes, accommodating diverse learning styles. Day and evening class options prepare students for client-based interactions in their future careers.

  • Graphic design students in RIDE Center working with a laser printer.

    Comprehensive Curriculum

    Gain expertise in both traditional print media and digital media, including UX/UI and animation. A mandatory Graphic Design Capstone and diverse internship opportunities provide practical experience crucial for professional success.

  • Graphic design student presenting project in front of classroom.

    Integration of Theory and Practice

    Students collaborate with off-campus and on-campus clients in courses like Graphic Design 3, focusing on real-world design challenges. Develop competencies in user experience, typography, and graphic design theory, supported by rigorous coursework in art history and studio art.

Program Details

Program Mission

The Visual Arts Program is designed to develop the creative ability of students to enter professional visual arts careers. The curriculum fosters their aesthetic and historical knowledge of the visual arts.

We provide a comprehensive background in the visual arts program with an emphasis on both foundation and advanced studio courses. Students are oriented toward a career in graphic design, illustration, animation, studio art, and art history, or preparation for continued study at the graduate level.

The department’s professional visual arts program, as structured within the liberal arts, enables students to receive personal attention in small classes. Our goal is to encourage students to build an appropriate pathway for internships and future career opportunities.

Program Vision

To become a preeminent public visual art institution in Western Massachusetts that is accessible to all students in New England and eastern New York.

Learning Outcomes
  • Developed capacity for critical, creative, investigative, and conceptual thinking.
  • Ability to identify and solve visual and conceptual problems.
  • Ability to present and communicate effectively, creatively, and critically across a range of form and media.
  • Generate a personal focus and contribute an independent voice to the world.
  • Be ready to work as professionals in art education; art history; design; fine arts; illustration and animation.
  • Refer to the fullest range of historical and contemporary art and design sources from across cultures and time.
  • Apply a wide range of research methods and technologies in gathering and analyzing information.
  • Engage effectively in individual and/or collaborative approaches to work.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design is research driven visual narratives, focused on aesthetics that are commercially aligned with industry standards.

George Ramirez

Professor George Ramirez

What Can You Do with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design?

A Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design equips students to pursue diverse careers in visual design. Industries and occupations where these skills are in demand include specialized design services, advertising, public relations, printing, architectural firms, engineering services, education (teaching at various levels), healthcare, scientific consulting, computer systems design, internet publishing, broadcasting, aerospace manufacturing, public transit, publishing, manufacturing, retail, and journalism.

Potential job titles include:

  • Advertising and Marketing Graphic Designer
  • Brand Designer
  • Web and UX/UI Designer
  • Creative Director
  • Art Director
  • Digital Media Designer
  • Graphic Design Instructor
Graphic design student smiling at a classroom project.

Ready to learn more?

Course Requirements

Program Description

The BFA in Graphic Design Program is for students interested in the detailed academic study of design, with a focus in career preparation in the graphic design field or intensive study for graduate school admittance. Our goal is to prepare our BFA students with the tools necessary to be successful in a highly competitive field. Graphic Design is the pursuit of finding visual solutions to visual communication problems. Our program takes the core components of art and design (visual thinking, research, and iteration) and applies them in a real-life industry related context. Students who choose the BFA in Graphic Design will be challenged with rigorous analysis of branding and commercial design, leading to graphic design internship placements with established relationships with local design firms and organizations. We reach those conclusions through methods in client research, design history and theory, critical analysis of trends, user experience/user interface design, typography, printing, comping, and presentation. At À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, our students are enhanced by their studies in the Fine Arts Foundations Studio classes, which they bring into their design related courses in the form of tactile explorations of type, illustrations, and three-dimensional artwork.

Students should expect their range of training to include editorial design, collateral design, package design, 3D modeling and printing, print specification and pricing, visual design systems (branding), experimental methods, environmental design, digital resources, and user experience design.

Required Courses (85 Credits)

Students must take the following courses:

General Art (4 credits)

Art History (12 Credits)

  •  Students must choose one 200-300 level Art History course from the following:

Art Studio (33 credits)

  • Two additional 200-300 level Art Studio courses

Graphic Design (27 credits)

Elective Courses (9 credits)

Students must choose any three of the following elective courses:

Graphic Design Internship

 prepares students for work in the Graphic Design / Web Design / Multimedia fields of the visual arts. The internship can be a placement in a department on-campus or an off-campus placement at an advertising, marketing agency or graphic design firm. A cumulative grade point average in art classes along with the completion of certain classes are required for internship placements. A departmental acceptance of an internship is by application and approval of the Internship Coordinator, the Art Department's Chairperson, and The Career Center. This class can be taken twice.

For more information on internships, please see the Internship Requirement Form on the Art Department's web page or the University Catalog

Note
  • BFA in Graphic Design majors must complete a minimum of 27 credits of coursework within the Art Department at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ State. Students are advised to consult their advisors for information on course sequencing and general core requirements.
  • BFA in Graphic Design majors intending to pursue graduate work are advised to take additionally recommended studio courses of their choice. It is also advisable to take additional Computer Graphics / Illustration / Animation / Art History / Marketing classes.
  • A mandatory review of a Graphic Design major's artwork from the Graphic Design Major sequence of classes will occur at the end of a Graphic Design major's fall sophomore semester. Satisfactory completion of the portfolio review* is required for all Graphic Design major's that have completed 45 credits of University classes to continue as a Graphic Design Major. Students must pass the portfolio review to continue in the major. This in-person portfolio review by the Art Department's faculty will occur at the end of the semester during the week of finals. Students will have to submit their portfolio digitally before the Tuesday of Thanksgiving Break.

*The department's acceptance of the 60-credit transfer student's (junior standing) portfolio submission upon entering the University will meet the requirement of the portfolio review.

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the  and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in  or .

Get big school features with small school advantages.  

We offer high-quality academics, unique learning opportunities, and a gorgeous campus—and we have small classes, accessible faculty, and one-on-one support. 

You'll join fellow motivated students ready to make the most of the college experience through active participation. Become part of a caring and committed community that understands and embraces the bridge between academic study and civic responsibility.

  • Only 4-year state institution west of Boston to offer a BFA in Graphic Design

  • High impact internship programs

  • We offer marketing, entrepreneurship, and small business programs, along with film production and creative writing classes.

Passionate creators. Creative educators.

We are proud of the diverse group of professors who make up our Art Department. Our professors hold graduate degrees and are professional practitioners in their fields of study. You’ll learn from their unique perspectives as you develop your own point of view. The one-to-one support you’ll get from our faculty will help you increase your understanding of art, polish your technical skills and help you grow as a person.

Graphic design students wearing caps and gowns in commencement group photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to submit SAT/ACT scores or an essay when I apply?

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ does not require an application essay, SAT and/or ACT scores, or letters of recommendation (except for special program admissions).     

All first-year applicants are reviewed for admission based on their high school record. First-year applicants must meet the established by the in order to qualify for admission to a state university.   

Learn more about the application process and admissions here.

How much does À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ cost?

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ offers a comprehensive university experience at an affordable cost—with many options for financial aid. Visit our Cost and Aid page to learn more. 

Will I receive academic support?

We’re invested in your success. Whether you need a little help adjusting to college, study strategies, tutoring, or disability services, the team at the Academic Achievement Department is ready to help. Our mission is to provide you with the tools to explore academic opportunities as well as to plot strategies for continued growth. 

Learn more about our student support services here.

Is a portfolio required?

Yes, if you have requested admission to the art major on your application form, applicants must successfully pass a portfolio review by the Art Department's faculty.

Learn more

Are there scholarships available to art majors?

Several scholarships are available. Learn more on our available scholarships page.

How can I find the Art Department on social media?

You can follow us on several social media platforms below:

PORTFOLIO REVIEW:

If you've requested admission to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design on your application form, applicants must successfully pass a portfolio review by the Art Department’s faculty.

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Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, BFA