Graphic Design BFA

Program Purpose

The Graphic Design BFA program is a four-year curriculum designed to prepare students to be critical thinkers and effective visual communicators and to succeed as working professionals in the design community. Graduates learn to conceptualize and synthesize information and use design to construct meaningful dialogue. Courses are focused on the principles of design, composition, typography, branding, media design, design systems, and semiotics. Topics are presented in the light of a gospel setting, with an emphasis on design practice that is positive, authentic, expansive, enlightening, and charitable.

Learning Outcomes

Cultural Change, Context and Audience

Students will be able to recognize design as a catalyst for positive cultural change and consider the importance of context, audience, and history in their work.

Courses that Contribute: DESGD DESGD 243 DESGD 340 DESGD 341 DESGD 343 DESGD 349 DESGD 360 DESGD 440 DESGD 442 DESGD 490
Linked to BYU Aims: Intellectually Enlarging
Design Thinking

Students will be able to create strong, conceptual work which is informed by research, design thinking, and their own personal voice.

Courses that Contribute: DESGD DESGD 243 DESGD 245 DESGD 280 DESGD 340 DESGD 343 DESGD 360 DESGD 362 DESGD 380 DESGD 440 DESGD 442 DESGD 460 DESGD 490
Linked to BYU Aims: Intellectually Enlarging
Effective Communication Through Design

Students will be able to create dynamic visual communications which utilize effective composition, typography, and visual form.

Courses that Contribute: DESGD 243 DESGD 245 DESGD 280 DESGD 341 DESGD 343 DESGD 360 DESGD 442 DESGD 490
Linked to BYU Aims: Intellectually Enlarging
Professional Practice

Students will be able to exhibit a professional work ethic, demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively, and present themselves professionally through a well-designed portfolio and effective written and oral communication.

Courses that Contribute: DESGD DESGD 280 DESGD 360 DESGD 362 DESGD 380 DESGD 440 DESGD 442 DESGD 460 DESGD 488 DESGD 490
Linked to BYU Aims: Intellectually Enlarging
Design Impact and Sustainability

Students will be able to choose sustainable methods of working that anticipate the economic, environmental, ethical, moral, spiritual, and cross-cultural impact of their design.

Courses that Contribute: DESGD 245 DESGD 360 DESGD 442 DESGD 490
Linked to BYU Aims: Intellectually Enlarging, Lifelong Learning and Service
Design Across Media Types

Students will be able to create design solutions across three-dimensional and two-dimensional media, including print, interaction, and motion.

Courses that Contribute: DESGD 243 DESGD 245 DESGD 280 DESGD 341 DESGD 343 DESGD 360 DESGD 362 DESGD 380 DESGD 442 DESGD 460 DESGD 488 DESGD 490
Linked to BYU Aims: Intellectually Enlarging

Evidence of Learning

Professional Design Portfolio

A portfolio of work created in Graphic Design BFA classes. 

BFA Capstone Project Documentation

A portfolio of work completed during the Capstone Project process including the written research thesis, iterative sketches, and descriptive photography/illustration/writing about the final project. 

Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement

Portfolio reviews

Graphic Design BFA students will be reviewed multiple times throughout their time in the program on the following schedule:

June: Incoming Juniors (as part of the BFA application review process)

August: New Seniors (after their internship experiences)

December: Both Juniors and Seniors

April: Graduating Seniors