Do Good! Do Graphic Design!

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in art with a specialization in Graphic Design addresses problem-seeking and problem-solving skills. The curriculum stresses the importance of conceptual development, design history, theory, and the integration of form and information for effective communication. Emphasis is placed on social responsibility and civic engagement, and the role of the designer in society to create work for social good. Students are exposed to a full range of topics such as branding and identity design, publication design, and interactive design (such as HTML, CSS, web production software, project planning, UX/UI, usability, and information architecture).

Lubbock is a unique place to make art and is positioned within a growing artistic community offering a multitude of opportunities. Guest speakers, internships, freelance experiences and strong alumni connections enhance program offerings and prepare students for careers in the professional field or to pursue a graduate degree.

Students and alumni have received awards in prestigious competitions at both the national and international level. Alumni work has been featured in publications such as How, CMYK, Hi-Fructose, Billboard magazine, AdWeek, Adobe Create, and The Washington Post.

 

Alumni hold important positions in design firms, advertising agencies, and in-house design studios throughout the country with graduates working both past and present at Nike, H-E-B, Fossil, SW Airlines, M.A.C. Cosmetics, Conde Nast Traveler, Dwell Magazine, The New York Times, Texas Monthly, Wired, AT&T, Paul Mitchell, Refinery 29, JC Penney, and IBM.

 

Possible Employment Opportunities include Design Studios, Advertising agencies, In-House Corporate Design studios, Publishing companies, Magazines, Television and Film studios, Web and Interactive Design studios, Social Media, and Marketing firms, and Non-Profit organizations.

 

Common Job Titles include: Graphic Designer, Visual Communication Designer, UX/UI Designer, Art Director, Web Designer, Freelance Designer, and Visual Content Manager.

Requirements for Graphic Design

Students working toward a BFA in Art with a specialization in Graphic Design must complete a minimum of 123 semester credit hours, including the Art Foundations coursework, 42-45 semester credit hours of Graphic Design courses, 15-18 hours of Studio Art and Art History electives, and the Core University Curriculum requirements for a BFA in the J.T. and Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts.

The Graphic 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.

 

4-year plan for the BFA in Art - Graphic Design

 

Degree checklist for the BFA in Art - Graphic Design

Laptop Requirement

All students accepted into the Graphic Design Program are required to have a laptop computer meeting a specific criteria as they enter their major coursework. 

Qualifying students will be instructed regarding purchase requirements. Students should NOT purchase a laptop without consulting their professor in ART 2388.

Admission to the Graphic Design Program

Admission to the Graphic Design program requires specific course requirements and a portfolio review. Being admitted to Texas Tech University does not guarantee admission to the Graphic 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 in the Spring of their first year. The prerequisites for this class are ART 1302 and1303 and must be taken prior to enrolling in ART 2388. Students enrolled in Art 2388 must concurrently enroll in ART 2303 and 2304, if the courses have not been taken previously.

Graphic 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. Students can complete the program in Graphic Design in four years if they are accepted upon the first portfolio review.

 

Third Year Review

A portfolio review will occur during the fall semester of a student's third year in the Graphic Design curriculum. The Graphic Design faculty will review work produced in Typography (ART 3381), Symbols (ART 3382), Visual Systems (ART 3384), and Web Media (ART 4357). If a student's work is not satisfactory, the student will enter a probationary period but may continue taking courses within the curriculum sequence. The student will be assigned a faculty mentor and must meet with that mentor on an agreed-upon schedule to review their progress in ART 4360 and 4380. Near the conclusion of the spring semester, the area faculty will conduct a re-review during which the student will present in-person work created in Advanced Visual Systems (ART 4360) and Publication (ART 4380). If the student's work demonstrates improvement, the probationary period will be concluded. In the event that satisfactory improvements have not been met, the student is dismissed from the program and may not pursue readmission.