The minimum degree requirement for a BFA with a concentration in graphic design is 126 semester hours (s.h.) of credit. This includes 42 s.h. of foundations curriculum (see the [link to ECU site catalog]catalog for specific requirements), 36 s.h. in the common core which includes foundation courses and art history courses, 30 s.h. in the graphic design concentration and 18 in art electives.
Coursework specific to graphic design offers undergraduate students a series of progressively more complex studios. In addition to these courses, students are required to take classes in photography and in illustration, aligned disciplines that focus on imagery. (Graphic design, photography, and illustration were formerly one major under the title “communication arts.” Graphic design students must take the following courses:
ART 2200 Communication Arts Survey
ART 2210 Concepts in Communication Arts
ART 2220 Photography Survey
ART 3200 Typography
ART 3230 Illustration Survey
ART 3210 Production
ART 4200 Advanced Typography or
ART 4210 Graphic Design
(many students take both 4200 and 4210; you must take at least one)
ART 5210 Advanced Graphic Design
The above courses satisfy 24–27 of the required 30 hours in the major.
To complete the 30 s.h. of required coursework in graphic design students choose one or more courses from the list that follows. It is also an option to earn up to nine credits through an internship. These often occur over the course of the summer, but some internships take place during the academic year. All courses are subject to prerequisites and available space. Priority placement in any class will be given to majors in the area for which the class is required.
These courses may also satisfy up to 12 hours of the 18 required art electives.
ART 3240 Illustration Media and Techniques
ART 3250 Introduction to Digital Photography
ART 3260 Intermediate Photography
ART 4220 Studio Photography
ART 4230 Intermediate Illustration
ART 4240 Advanced Digital Photography
ART 4010, 4020, 4030 Work Experience in the Visual Arts and Design (Internships are subject to approval by the area. To earn internship credit a minimum of 140 work and academic hours must be completed per semester for 3 s.h. of credit.)
ART 5220 Advanced Photography
ART 5230 Advanced Illustration
Beyond these specific requirements students must complete 18 hours of art electives. This course selection should be based on the individual student’s goals and interests. Guidance in selecting courses is available through consultation with the student’s advisor. A minimum of 6 s.h. must be outside the area of concentration; however the 6 s.h. cannot be two courses from the same area. The following list suggests recommendations for courses outside the Graphic Design area. Art electives may also come from the previous list or any area of the school.
Recommended elective courses outside the concentration include:
ART 2010 Printmaking Survey
ART 2070 Animation/Interactive Design Survey
ART 2470 Introduction to Digital 3D Modeling and Animation
ART 3002 Book Arts One
ART 3080 Introductory Video Art
ART 3081 Intermediate Video Art
ART 3070 Electronic Interactive Multimedia
ART 3470 Digital 3D Animation
ART 4070 Advanced Interactive Media
ART 4470 Digital 3D Lighting and Rendering
ART 4950 20th Century Architecture
ART 4970 History of 19th and 20th Century Design
ART 4990 Survey of Contemporary Art 1950 to present
Contact Kate LaMere, lamerek@ecu.edu in the graphic design program or SoAD graduate coordinator Scott Eagle, eagles@ecu.edu for information on requirements for the MFA degree.
