Graphic and Digital Design

Graphic and Digital Design extended minor

The Graphic and Digital Design extended minor may be paired with the Visual Arts major as part of the Bachelor of Fine Arts program, or with any other BFA extended minor as listed in the BFA section of the calendar.

Please note that the Graphic and Digital Design minor and extended minor culminate in upper-level courses that require a series of sequential skills obtained over several semesters. Introductory courses are offered in the fall, and students should expect to take sequential courses over the following winter, fall, and winter semesters to complete required coursework. GD courses are generally not offered in the summer semesters except for GD 498 or GD 499.

The Graphic and Digital Design extended minor offers optional streams in Dynamic Media, Interactive Design, Communication Design, or Visual Identity.

1. Dynamic Media: GD 203, GD 216, and GD 303
   This stream is image based and introduces motion graphics, video, kinetic typography, and character design for design projects and storytelling.
   
2. Interactive Design: GD 202, GD 204, and GD 358
   This stream focuses on design for digital screens including websites, tablets, and mobile devices. Students are introduced to interface design, development, UX, and content management.
   
3. Communication Design: GD 101, GD 260, and GD 317
   This stream introduces publishing, promotion, information design, and social responsibility. The emphasis is on problem solving and human-centered solutions in print and digital media.
4. Visual Identity: GD 101, GD 260, GD 374, and GD 375
   This stream offers a foundation in communication design and introduces the field of brand identity including logo design, packaging design, and sustainability principles.

Upon successful completion of the Graphic and Digital Design extended minor, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate functional competence with principles of visual organization, visual language,
  typography, and theory as applied to visual communication problems.
• Apply critical thinking skills to visual communication problems.
• Understand and utilize processes, tools, and technology used in graphic design practice.

This section specifies the extended minor requirements only. Please refer to the Bachelor of Fine Arts section for information on additional requirements.

Lower-level requirements: 18 credits

1. GD 102 or AH 203
2. GD 154, GD 157, and GD 159
3. 6 credits of 100- or 200-level GD courses:
   
   For the Dynamic Media stream, choose GD 203 and GD 216.
   For the Interactive Design stream, choose GD 202 and GD 204.
   For the Communication Design stream, choose GD 101 and GD 260.
   For the Visual Identity stream, choose GD 101 and GD 260.

Upper-level requirements: 15 credits

1. GD 361
2. 12 credits of 300- or 400-level GD courses (VA 360 may also be used for this requirement):
   
   For the Dynamic Media stream, choose GD 303.
   For the Interactive Design stream, choose GD 358.
   For the Communication Design stream, choose GD 317.
   For the Visual Identity stream, choose GD 374 and GD 375.

Graphic and Digital Design minor

The Graphic and Digital Design minor may be paired with the Visual Arts major as part of the Bachelor of Fine Arts program. This section specifies the minor requirements only. Please refer to the Bachelor of Fine Arts section for information on additional requirements.

Note: The Graphic and Digital Design minor and extended minor culminate in upper-level courses that require a series of sequential skills obtained over several semesters. Introductory courses are offered in the fall, and students should expect to take sequential courses over the following winter, fall, and winter semesters to complete required coursework. Only GD 498 and GD 499 are offered in the summer semesters.

Lower-level requirements: 12 credits

• GD 102 or AH 203
• Six credits of 100- or 200-level GD courses
• Three credits chosen from any 100- or 200-level GD courses or VA 113, VA 115, VA 117, VA 180, CIS 100, CIS 104, CIS 115, CIS 141, CIS 145, CIS 146, CIS 160, CIS 162, or CIS 165

Upper-level requirements: 15 credits

• 15 credits of 300- or 400-level GD courses and VA 360

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.

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