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Nov 24, 2024
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2015-2016 UMass Dartmouth Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]
Visual Design Major
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BFA degree
Visual Design Options
Visual Design is a cluster of professionally-oriented options: Digital Media, Graphic Design, Illustration, and Photography. The emphasis throughout these programs is visual communication and problem solving. Students explore visual communication in the widest sense, employing both traditional and contemporary technologies.
At UMass Dartmouth, we believe there is more than one way to approach a project. Faculty representing a variety of philosophies and viewpoints teach visual design as an art form, a craft, or as information, business, and entertainment industries. At UMass Dartmouth, we believe the modern visual artist/designer must be broadly educated, articulate, literate, and able to contribute to all levels of a professional project.
Admission to specific options requires submission of a portfolio.
All transfer students who wish to be admitted to courses marked with a “*” above the sophomore level must submit a portfolio. Acceptance into advanced courses are rare, not automatic.
Student Reviews
Each Visual Design option has a list of designated courses, each of which requires a grade of C or better for advancement. Students who receive less than a C in one of these courses shall be subject to review that may result in provisional continuation or dismissal from the option.
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Foundation Studio Arts Program
Required of All Majors (except Art History and Music)
Foundation Studio Arts is a rigorous two-semester program. It is designed to promote creativity, to develop technical and conceptual skills, and to provide an essential awareness of our visual culture. Its drawing, two-dimensional and three-dimensional courses serve as prerequisites-requisites for all 200 or higher-level courses in Fine Arts, Artisanry, Visual Design and Art Education. Its art history components, Renaissance to Modern Art and Modern to Contemporary Art, serve as prerequisites for the higher-level Department of Art History study that is demanded by each of the studio art departments.
Except where transferred or advance placement examination credits are accepted in lieu of requirements, first-year students may expect to take seven courses, totaling 17 credits, in each of their two freshman semesters: One drawing course, one two-dimensional studio course, one three-dimensional studio course, one art history course, one English course, one single-credit Foundation Studio Arts lecture course (Visual Arts Colloquium I and II) and one non-studio class are taken each semester.
The successful completion of the Foundation Studio Arts program is a required of all candidates for a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Digital Media Option
With concentrated studies in animation and interactive media, the Digital Media program at UMass Dartmouth is an integrated design and technology program with the mission of providing future creative leaders the skills and knowledge to meet the design and communication challenges of the twenty-first century. A key objective is to develop graduates who are broadly educated, articulate, scholarly, visually-sophisticated and capable of active participation in all phases of the design process. The Digital Media option offers students the opportunity to improve their critical thinking and aesthetic abilities while gaining an in-depth understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of various types of media and technologies.
Curricular offerings include: digital imaging, storytelling and storyboarding, two and three-dimensional animation, three-dimensional modeling, interactive design, web design and virtual reality studies.
Order of courses
DES 251, DES 254 and DES 284 are prerequisites for DES 383. DES 383, 384, 483 and 484 must be taken sequentially. During the senior year, students are required to take two courses from the digital media senior electives list.
Free Electives
All university courses (including studios and studio electives) may be used as free electives.
*Designated Course
Students in this program must complete the course(s) indicated with a grade of C or better; if a C- or lower is received, the course must be retaken. For full details, see the “Student Reviews” paragraph above.
Art History and Design History
University Studies/Distribution
- ENL 2XX Literature elective - Credits: 3
- MTH Mathematics elective - Credits: 3
- Science electives, 3 credits from each area (The Natural World and The Engaged Community) - Credits: 6
- The Social World: 3 credits from each are (Human Questions and Contexts, The Nature of US Society, The Nature of Global Society) - Credits: 9
Non-Studio Electives
Select to meet remaining requirements
- One course at 300 or 400 level - Credits: 3
Free Electives
- Four courses at any level - Credits: 12
Major Studios
* The following are designated courses. Students must receive a grade of C or better. Digital Media Senior Electives
During the senior year, students are required to take two courses from the list below.
Studio Options and Additional Requirements
- FIA 200-Level Drawing I - Credits: 3
(consult advisor on selection)
- FIA 200-Level Drawing II - Credits: 3
(consult advisor on selection)
- DES, FIA, ATR, AED Three Studio Electives - Credits: 9
* The following are designated courses. Students must receive a grade of C or better.
Graphic Design Option
The Graphic Design option emphasizes the process of visual communication in a context of message, audience, environment and technology. Students learn how to approach research and analysis of content as part of the design process, and learn to develop graphic arts (symbols, books, posters and interactive media) based on that research and analysis. Projects in diverse media include letterform design, information design, book and periodical design, letterpress printing and web design.
Students are introduced to a historical context of graphic design as well as to state-of-the-art practices. This program prepares students for the diverse opportunities available in professional design practice.
Grades
Students’ grades will be evaluated by the same criteria that are outlined for all Visual Design majors, which requires a grade of C or better on designated courses. If a student receives a grade of C- or below, they will be subject to dismissal from the Graphic Design option. Continuation is subject to review by the department chair (or designee) and a minimum of one faculty member of the Graphic Design option. If continuation is granted, the student will be placed on probationary status.
Portfolio Reviews
The Graphic Design option has two portfolio reviews every spring semester. The sophomore portfolio review is required for all students intending to take Graphic Design III the following fall. The junior portfolio review is required for all students intending to take Graphic Design V the following fall.
Students are required to present a complete portfolio for both reviews. Material presented should include work from all of their design classes, a written statement and oral presentation. Faculty will make recommendations based on the quality of the work, the written and oral presentations and the progress of the student. If the presentation or work within the portfolio is deemed insufficient, the Department Chair will be notified and the student will be either dismissed or placed on probation. All protocol for dismissal or probation will follow the conditions outlined for students receiving grades of C- or below.
Free Electives
All university courses (including Studios and Studio Electives) may be used as Free Electives.
*Designated Course
Students in this program must complete the course(s) indicated with a grade of C or better; if a C- or lower is received, the course must be retaken. For full details, see the “Student Reviews” paragraph at the top of this page.
Art History and Design History
- ARH 3XX- Art History Elective - Credits: 3
University Studies/Distribution
- ENL 2XX Literature elective - Credits: 3
- MTH Mathematics elective - Credits: 3
- Science electives, 3 credits from each area (The Natural World and The Engaged Community) - Credits: 6
- The Social World, 3 credits from each area (Human Questions and Contexts, The US Society, The Global Society) - Credits: 9
Free Electives
Six courses at any level - Credits: 18
Major Studios
* The following are designated courses. Studio Options and Additional Requirements
- FIA 200-Level Drawing I - Credits: 3
(consult advisor on selection)
- FIA 200-Level Drawing II - Credits: 3
(consult advisor on selection)
Recommended Studio and Non-Studio Electives
Illustration Option
The aim of the Illustration option is to equip all of its graduating students with the skills, discipline, and knowledge necessary for successful professional practice in the field. Concept formulation, imaginativeness, rendering and compositional fluency, and an originality of style are understood to be of equal and complementary importance. Students learn the uses of symbolism, sequencing, advanced perspective and the integration of digital processes. The history, marketing and ethics of the trade are examined, as are the various applications of illustration, such as concept art, editorial, character development, children’s book, and documentary illustration; seniors choose an emphasis based on individual abilities and interests. A professional portfolio of work is expected for graduation.
Free Electives
All university courses (including studios and studio electives) may be free electives.
*Designated Course
Students in this program must complete the course(s) indicated with a grade of C or better; if a C- or lower is received, the course must be retaken. For full details, see the “Student Reviews” paragraph at the top of this page.
Art History and Design History
University Studies/Distribution
- ENL 2XX Literature elective - Credits: 3
- MTH Mathematics elective - Credits: 3
- Science electives, 3 credits from each area (The Natural World and The Engaged Community) - Credits: 6
- The Social World, 3 credits from each area (Human Questions and Contexts, The US Society, and The Global Societ) - Credits: 9
Non-Studio Electives
- One course at 300 or 400 level - Credits: 3
Free Electives
- Four courses at any level - Credits: 12
Recommended Studio Electives
Select three courses at any level - Credits: 9
Major Studios
* The following are designated courses. Students must receive a grade of C or better. Additional Requirements
Students must receive a grade of C or better if the course rubric is DES. Photography Option
The Photography program is a prelude to professional photography. In the 21st Century, professional photography requires both traditional and digital expertise. Consequently, emphasis is placed not only on the development of a personal photographic vision encompassing aesthetic standards, but also on mastering contemporary imaging techniques.
The primary goals and objectives of each level in the program revolve around the development of a portfolio of images within a fine arts framework.
Students are expected to participate in individual and group critiques, lectures and reviews. Verbal and written competence is required in regard to examining, analyzing and understanding photographic imagery in all contexts.
Courses in general consist of labs, lectures, discussions, presentations, papers and readings on a variety of photographic topics.
In addition to the Photo Track of six consecutive courses, the History of Photography course establishes the artistic and technological progression of the field from its invention to current major artists, while the Studio Photography course explores large format photography and studio lighting. The senior year leads to a final portfolio and a gallery exhibition
Free Electives
All university courses (including Studios and Studio Electives) may be used as Free Electives.
*Designated Course
Students in this program must complete the course(s) indicated with a grade of C or better; if a C- or lower is received, the course must be retaken. For full details, see the “Student Reviews” paragraph at the top of this page.
Art History and Design History
University Studies/Distribution
- ENL 2XX Literature elective - Credits: 3
- MTH Mathematics elective - Credits: 3
- Science electives, 3 credits from each area (The Natural World and The Engaged Community) - Credits: 6
- The Social World, 3 credits from each area (Human Questions and Contexts, The US Society, and The Global Society) - Credits: 9
Non-Studio Electives
- One course Non-Studio at 300 or 400 level - Credits: 3
- One course Non-Studio at any level - Credits: 3
Free Electives
- Three courses at any level, may include studios - Credits: 9
Major Studios
* The following are designated courses. Studio Options and Additional Requirements
- FIA 2XX - 200-Level Drawing - Credits: 3
(consult advisor on selection)
- FIA 2XX - 200-Level Drawing - Credits: 3
(consult advisor on selection)
- DES, FIA, ATR, AED Four Studio Electives - Credits: 12
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