Graphic Design (B.F.A.)

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Graphic Design is the professional degree focused on a more intensive study of coursework in the field of graphic and communication design. This program trains professional artists and designers to the highest level possible for undergraduate students and will be especially valuable for those who plan to pursue graduate studies in art and design. Admission to the B.F.A. in Graphic Design requires a portfolio review; for more information, please consult the department website. B.F.A. students are required to go through the sophomore review successfully and to maintain at least a 3.0 in their major to remain in the program. Students must plan on spending their senior year on the Mechanicsburg campus to execute a body of work for their senior exhibition.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Graphic Design program can:

  1. Demonstrate and apply a basic knowledge of foundational visual communication principles, processes, and communication theories with the ability to develop informed considerations between form, meaning.
  2. Apply typography, images, interactivity, motion, sequencing, color, and other such elements effectively in the contexts of specific design projects.
  3. Employ vocabulary of art/design in the analysis/critique of creative work.
  4. Acquire the ability to place works of art/design in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.
  5. Recognize how communication theories, principles, and processes have evolved through history.
  6. Implement communication theories, principles and methods to contemporary design practice.
  7. Utilize formal vocabulary and concepts of design—including content, elements, structure, style, and technology—in response to visual communication problems.
  8. Apply creative strategies for planning, producing, and disseminating visual communications.
  9. Select appropriate, purpose-based choices from creative approaches to communication opportunities and generate alternative solutions.
  10. Critique art/design of self and others.
  11. Conduct critical evaluations of different technologies in specific design problem contexts.
  12. Shape and create technological tools and systems to address communication problems and further communication goals.
  13. Recognize and analyze the social, cultural, and economic implications of technology on message creation, production, and human behavior to incorporate results into creative decisions.
  14. Utilize research methods and interpret findings practically and apply them in art/design development.
  15. Demonstrate awareness of personal responsibilities through the knowledge of professional design practices and processes related to the ethics and standards in the field of study.
  16. Identify vocational opportunities, knowledge, and skills beyond the classroom.
  17. Articulate the relationship between Christian faith and contemporary art/design and to the student’s individual area of study.

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

ART 110Visual Thinking and Digital Tools

3

ART 121Form, Space, and Media

3

ART 171Drawing I

3

ART 182Color and Composition

3

ART 237Typography

3

ARTH 111Methods & Theories of Art History

3

ARTH 205Design History and Theory

3

ART 483Senior Studio: Graphic Design

3

ART 493Art Seminar

3

ART 494Senior Exhibit

3

INTE 391Internship

1-3

Sophomore Review

INTE 391: Three credits are required to fulfill major requirement.

Three credits from the following:

ARTH 150Art History: Prehistory-1400

3

ARTH 151Art History: 1400-21st Century

3

ARTH 209History of Modern Art

3

ARTH 309Contemporary Art: 1945 - Present

3

COMM 382History and Theory of Digital Media

3

Three credits from the following:

ARTH 210Topics in Non-Western Art

3

COMM 321Global Indigenous Media

3

COMM 327Latin American Cinema

3

Twenty-one credits from the following Design courses:

ART 217Digital Imaging

3

ART 336Interactive Design

3

ART 337Graphic Design and Professional Practice

3

ART 338Digital Illustration

3

ART 345Interactive Design II

3

ART 347Service Centered Design

3

ART 352Digital Photography

3

ART 382Topics in Graphic Design

3

ART 386Typography II

3

ART 420Designer as Author

3

ART 431Motion Design

3

Three credits from the following:

COMM 333Business and Organizational Communication

3

COMM 341Communication Theory

3

COMM 342Intercultural Communication

3

COMM 359Rhetorical Theory

3

Cross-Concentration Studies (12 credits)

Six credits from the following 2-D courses:

ART 215Painting I

3

ART 226Relief Printmaking

3

ART 232Screen Printing

3

ART 251Darkroom Photography

3

ART 271Drawing II

3

ART 330Intaglio Printmaking

3

ART 332Lithography

3

ART 339Illustration

3

ART 360Topics in 2D Processes

1-3

ART 372Figure Drawing

3

Six credits from the following 3-D courses:

ART 205Hand Papermaking

3

ART 220Clay: Wheel Thrown Forms

3

ART 221Clay: Hand-Built Forms

3

ART 262Assemblage

3

ART 263Carving and Construction

3

ART 308Installation Art and Public Sculpture

3

ART 341Furniture Design

3

ART 364Casting

3

ART 379Topics in 3D Processes

3

General Education Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement   0
General Education requirements   Credits
First Year Seminar IDFY 101/102H  3
Written Communication ENGL 110/110H 3
Oral Communication COMM 105 3
Mathematical and Scientific Ways of Knowing Mathematics 3 or 4
Science with Lab 3 or 4
Social Scientific Ways of Knowing
Social Science 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 24GE History 3
Literary & Aesthetic Ways of Knowing
Literature or Arts waived
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing
Philosophy or Religion 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 1st and 2nd Level Language 6
Intercultural Perspectives Intercultural Global or International Cross-cultural or 3rd Level Language met/major
Bible
24GE Bible 3
Christian Beliefs
24GE Christian Beliefs 3
Holistic Wellness
WELL 1xx 1
Ethics and the Common Good
24GE Ethics and the Common Good  3
Intercultural Perspectives
Intercultural U.S. or Domestic Cross-cultural 3
Common Learning
Experiential Learning (ART 483) met/major 
General Education requirements   43-45
Major requirements   75
Free Electives    3-5
Total credits   123