Communications Design, BFA

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

1. DES 101

   Digital Tools for Designers I
   3
2. DES 102

   Digital Tools for Designers II
   3
3. DES 103

   Analog Design Tools
   3
4. CMD 104

   Fundamentals of Communications Design
   3
5. CMD 251

   Intro Communication Design I
   3
6. CMD 252

   Intro Communication Design II
   3
7. CMD 281

   Design Methods
   3
8. CMD 282

   Design Skills & Processes
   3
9. CMD 351

   Problem Solving Strategies
   3
10. CMD 352

    Design Project Management
    3
11. CMD 450

    Communication Design Problems

    As published: “Communication Design Problems ((x2) 3 credits each)”
    6
12. CMD 450

    Communication Design Problems

    As published: “Communication Design Problems ((x2) 6 credits each)”
    12
13. CMD 452

    Portfolio & Practice
    3

Art History Requirements

1. DES 114

   Design, Cultural Traditions and the Environment
   3
2. Art/Design History Elective

   Not resolved to a course
   3
3. Art/Design History Elective

   Not resolved to a course
   3
4. DES 113

   History of Modern Design: 1850-Present
   3

Academic Requirements

1. WRT 105

   Studio 1: Practices of Academic Writing
   3
2. WRT 205

   Studio 2: Critical Research and Writing
   3

Liberal Arts Electives/Academic Electives

1. The required 24 credits should consist of 12 credits of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and 12 credits of Academic Electives.

   Not resolved to a course
   24

Academic electives are most courses offered outside of art, design, or transmedia (for example, courses offered in CRS, Arts and Sciences, Whitman, and other colleges outside of VPA). These academic courses usually have non-art-related content, such as math, natural sciences, astronomy, global history, political science, psychology, and entrepreneurship, and languages at the 100-level, among others.

You can find a comprehensive list of courses that count here.

Studio Electives

1. Studio electives are courses usually offered in VPA through art, design, or transmedia. The content of the courses directly relates to the preparation of students for professional careers in art, design, and transmedia. The course content includes, but is not limited to, conceptualization, process, product, and critique of creative work in studio practice. These courses meet for a much longer time, for a minimum of four hours per week for the duration of the semester. Usual meeting patterns are: the class meets once per week for four+ hours, or the class meets twice per week, usually for two or more hours each.

   Not resolved to a course
   18

You can find a comprehensive list of courses that count here.

Free Electives

1. Select eight credits

   Not resolved to a course
   8

Study Abroad

Pending a successful application and meeting program requirements, students may be eligible to spend the spring semester of their junior year abroad at the SU Center in London, UK or in Florence, Italy. Please refer to the SUAbroad website for eligibility and application criteria.