Communication Design
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Communication Design addresses problem-seeking and problem-solving skills. Importance is placed upon conceptual development and the integration of form and information for the purpose of effective visual communication. Emphasis is placed on civic responsibility and the role of the graphic designer in the community. Students hone not only their artistic and professional skills, but also their understanding of the fundamental issues of today’s society and what they, as professional artists, can do in service to others. A BFA in Communication Design prepares students for careers in design-related fields such as publication design, collateral design and web design.
Requirements for a Communication Design Major
Students working toward a BFA in Communication Design must complete a minimum of 120 semester credit hours, including the Art Foundations coursework, 45 semester credit hours of Communication Design courses, 15 hours of Studio Art and Art History electives, and the Core University Curriculum requirements for a BFA in the College of Visual & Performing Arts.
The Communication Design curriculum is based on a series of carefully sequenced courses. All courses must be taken in order and successfully completed with a passing grade in order to progress within the curriculum.
Admission to the Communication Design Program
Admission to the Communication Design program requires specific course requirements and a portfolio review. Being admitted to Texas Tech University does not guarantee admission to the Communication Design Program.
Applicants are selected each year in the Spring semester (mid April) through a rigorous portfolio and interview process. Students must prepare for the portfolio review by enrolling in ART 2388 (Design Process) in the Spring of their first year. The prerequisites for Art 2388 are: ART 1303 (Drawing I) and ART 1302 (Design I), thus must be taken prior to enrolling in ART 2388. Students enrolled in Art 2388 must concurrently enroll in ART 2303 (Design II) and ART 2304 (Drawing II), if not taken previously.
Communication Design is a limited access program and the selection process is highly competitive. Students who are not accepted have the option of reapplying one final time during the subsequent review process in the Spring semester to follow. The BFA in Communication Design can be completed in four years only if the student is accepted upon their first portfolio review.
Third Year Review
A portfolio review will be conducted during the fall semester of a student's third year in the Communication Design curriculum. Work produced in Art 3381, 3382, 3383, and 3384 will be reviewed by a faculty panel. If a student's work is not satisfactory, they will enter a probationary period but will be permitted to continue taking courses within the curriculum. During this probationary period, the student must independently rework assignments from the reviewed courses. These reworked assignments will be evalauted the following spring semester by mid-term. If improvements have been made, the probationary period will be concluded. In the event that satisfactory improvements are not made within the next academic year, the student will be dismissed from the program and may not pursue readmission.
