Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Art: Graphic Design Concentration, B.F.A.


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The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art with a concentration in Graphic Design is dedicated to preparing students for professional practice. Inspired by the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the curriculum is grounded in “design for good” projects focused on design as a tool for social impact. Our goal is to graduate designers with a passion for community engagement. Along the way, students learn how to think conceptually, design brand identities, create social media graphics, edit websites, and so much more. We also take full advantage of the thriving KC creative community by bringing in guest speakers, visiting agencies (often where our alumni work), and attending lectures/events.

Art + Design (AR)


The Art foundation courses provide broad experience in conceptual thinking as well as technique in order to provide students with an opportunity to determine and develop strengths and interests. A concentration need not be selected until the second year of full-time study.

Core Requirements


All students must complete the Avila University Core Curriculum as a part of their degree programs. The Core consists of a minimum of 39 credit hours that meet the requirements listed below. Please go to Core Curriculum  for more information and to view all Core classes.

Skills Level (7 credit hours)


Develops fundamental skills key for both academic and professional success.

  • Composition (3)
  • Communication (3)
  • First Year Seminar (1) - waived for transfer students

Liberal Arts Level (25 credit hours)


Provides diverse disciplinary lenses through which to examine the world. Concepts learned and viewpoints experiences at this level promote critical thinking and ethical decision-making with reference to real-life situations across the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and arts.

  • Arts (3)
  • History (3)
  • Literature/Rhetoric (3)
  • Mathematics (3)
  • Natural Science (4) - must include a lab
  • Philosophy (3)
  • Religious Studies (3)
  • Social Sciences (3)

Core Component Designations (6-12 credit hours)


Focuses on seeing beyond the self, immediate community, or chosen discipline. Designations include Interdisciplinary Studies, Global Studies, and Community Engagement, all of which call for application of learning across boundaries.

  • Interdisciplinary Studies (6)
  • Global Studies or Community Engagement (6)

Major Requirements


Major in Art with concentration in Graphic Design. A maximum of 75 hours in any single subject is allowed.

Senior Exhibit: A graduating Graphic Design senior must exhibit advanced works. Application for the Senior Exhibit in Thornhill Gallery must be made one semester prior to graduation. An exhibit committee consisting of the Gallery curator, Art + Design Chair, and principal concentration instructor will review and approve works for inclusion in the exhibit. At the discretion of the Department, one work may be selected from the exhibit for inclusion in the University’s permanent collection.

Outcomes


Each art major should be able to:

Outcome 1.

Understand the stylistic, cultural, and social concepts and characteristics of the major artistic periods. (AR 181 , AR 183 , AR 387 )

Outcome 2.

Understand principles of color theory, space, and form within two-dimensional and three-dimensional space. (AR 117 AR 219 )

Outcome 3.

Possess fundamental technical skill in various media including drawing, photography, and others. (AR 111 , AR 221 , AR 231 , AR 351 , AR 365 )

Graphic Design Outcomes


In addition to the art major outcomes, each graphic design major should also be able to:

Outcome 1.

Possess a repertoire of methods to organize textual and visual information (AR 442 , AR 444 , AR 447 ).

Outcome 2.

Understand technical aspects of graphic design production including computer software and printing technology (AR 271 , AR 379 , AR 471 ).

Assessment


The outcomes for Art + Design majors are assessed through a combination of written and performance examinations, performance assignments, and portfolios of completed projects.

Students must have a minimum grade of “C” for all Art courses. Students may not repeat an art course more than one time.

Graphic Design Assessment


Assessment for Graphic Design majors includes a portfolio reflecting a selection of assignments completed throughout the program. This portfolio is formally constructed in AR 497 - Portfolio Preparation (3)  and is reviewed by two Art + Design faculty as well as professionals in the design community.

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