Visual Arts Specialization

Art & Design (BA, BFA)

Specialize in Visual Arts and develop your artistic skills

In the Visual Arts Specialization there are two degree options available to students.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Art, a 60 credit major, is respected as the professional degree for visual art. The Visual Arts program provides you with a strong foundation program in studio art and art history. You will have the opportunity to develop your creativity, self-expression, and technical skills.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Art, a 39 credit major, is a second degree option for Visual Arts majors and is typically selected by students who are double majoring, have changed majors, or have transferred into the program. An example is students who want to study Art Therapy in graduate school often choose to double major in Art and Psychology.

A significant component to the Visual Arts specialization is participation in the Senior Exhibition. Working closely with the Fine Arts faculty, you will create a cohesive body of work to be displayed in the Senior Exhibition in the Andy Gato Gallery. The exhibition gives you an opportunity to celebrate your success with your family and friends.

What facilities are available to you?

In addition to small class sizes, a committed faculty, and personalized attention, the Art facilities include: a multipurpose 2-D studio for painting, drawing, design and collage; two state-of-the-art Macintosh labs configured with the newest versions of Adobe creative software and an array of both large and small format printers; a sculpture studio, a ceramics studio, photography studios, an art history classroom, and our beautiful Andy Gato Gallery.

Visual Arts Core (15 Credits)

  • Introduction to basic drawing materials, techniques, and concepts focusing on still life as subject matter. (Special fee)

  • Introduction to basic two-dimensional design concepts, theory and techniques through the study of the principles and elements of art. Color theory and linear perspective will be introduced. (Special fee)

  • Study of the nature and use of color as a vital element of design. Emphasis is on topics which apply directly to problems encountered with pigment; employing subtractive color theory such as pigment color mixing; physical properties of color (hue, value, and intensity); aesthetic color relationships based upon the color wheel; and uses of color to include personal aesthetic, emotional and artistic intent. ART 101B (Special fee)

  • Study of the human form in a variety of media andtechniques. Repeatable course. Prerequisite: ART101A. (Special fee)

  • Integrative experience for senior Art Majors with a focus on preparation for the Senior Exhibition and development of professional skills to prepare students for graduate school and/or the art and design world. Prerequisite: graduation status.

Visual Arts Requirements (30 Credits)

  • This course will equip students with the skills to navigate and utilize various software programs, broadening their understanding and proficiency in digital media. By integrating these tools, students will learn to create, manipulate, and present their artwork in new and innovative ways, aligning with contemporary artistic practices.

  • Introduction to clay as an art medium, using traditional handbuilding techniques and basic glazing and firing processes. (Special fee)

  • The first course in graphic design will introduce the student to many tools involved in the creation of professional design problems including the Macintosh platform. Students will evaluate the assignments and solve these problems using appropriate tools. A strong focus will be placed on technology and professional presentation skills. Computer software, one, two and four color printing and the artistic processes of graphic design will be explored. (Special fee)

  • This course is the first in a series of three courses that are structured to enable students to work with their chosen media, fostering the development of their portfolios and highlighting their unique talents and artistic visions. Students will define their career objectives, and projects will be tailored to align with these personal goals. Research on contemporary artists pertinent to their work will offer both inspiration and a framework for ongoing artistic exploration. Class critiques will be tailored to the student's career aspirations, providing conceptual, design, and skill-building feedback to enhance their body of work.

  • Introduction to basic wheel-throwing techniques on the potter’s wheel. Students will also be introduced to glazing wheel-thrown pieces. (Special fee)

  • Introduction to the painting medium with a foundation of basic color theory, application, and techniques. (Special fee)

  • A continuation of the study of basic painting materials and techniques with emphasis on the seeing and painting of value, color, and composition. Prerequisite:ART 260. (Special fee)

  • This course is the second in a series of three courses that are structured to enable students to work with their chosen media, fostering the development of their portfolios and highlighting their unique talents and artistic visions. Students will define their career objectives, and projects will be tailored to align with these personal goals. Research on contemporary artists pertinent to their work will offer both inspiration and a framework for ongoing artistic exploration. Class critiques will be tailored to the student's career aspirations, providing conceptual, design, and skill-building feedback to enhance their body of work.

  • This course builds upon earlier typographic theory and practices discussed in ART 305. The class will explore the communication of ideas through the use of typography. This curriculum will allow the student to study past typographers and their contributions to graphic arts and foster a greater understanding of the origins of typographic design. Prerequisite: ART 305 (Special fee)

  • This course is the third in a series of three courses that are structured to enable students to work with their chosen media, fostering the development of their portfolios and highlighting their unique talents and artistic visions. Students will define their career objectives, and projects will be tailored to align with these personal goals. Research on contemporary artists pertinent to their work will offer both inspiration and a framework for ongoing artistic exploration. Class critiques will be tailored to the student's career aspirations, providing conceptual, design, and skill-building feedback to enhance their body of work

Visual Art Electives (9 Credits)

  • This studio-based course will provide students with an introduction to the history of animation, comics, and graphic novels. Students will engage in projects that emphasize character design, narrative development, and environment creation, all within the context of the entertainment industry. Through hands-on assignments, students will explore various techniques and styles, learning to effectively convey stories and ideas through visual media. This exploration will not only enhance their technical skills but also inspire their creative processes.

  • In this course, students will explore the use of video as a medium for Fine Art, focusing on creating and editing video content that aligns with artistic expression. Emphasis will be placed on producing videos that convey narratives developed by the student artist, videos that present conceptual works of art that address critical social issues, and/or highlight artistic portfolios. Through hands-on projects, students will develop technical and creative skills in video production, including filming, editing, and post-production techniques, while crafting compelling content that resonates with online audiences and elevates their artistic practice.

  • This advanced studio-based course will immerse students in community projects that leverage their art and design skills to benefit local communities. Both individual and team projects will be crafted to achieve specific outcomes tailored to the needs of selected initiatives. Class projects might involve creating murals, sculptures, or graphic design works for non-profit organizations, including museums, cultural centers, or businesses.
  • Students will explore the specific skills necessary to design posters as a means of mass communication. Working with large visual formats, students will develop skills in research, the development of concepts and content, analysis and editing, and technical execution of typographic solutions. Critical thinking will be employed as purposeful and reflective judgment about what to believe or what to do in response to observations made by the student when evaluating creative solutions. Prerequisites: ART 305 (Special Fee)
  • This course explores the history, principles, tools and practices of User Experience (UX)and User Interface(UI)design for digital platforms. The UX portion of the class will center on the cognitive science behind the discipline and what shapes the experiences between a user and a product or service. The UI portion of the course will focus on the presentation (look/feel) and interactivity of a product or service. Prerequisite: ART 335 (Special fee)
  • This course in packaging design will offer the student the opportunity to work solely on three-dimensional packaging concepts. Starting with smaller projects such as a CD cover and moving toward packaging, branding and construction of a packaging identity program, the student will be challenged to generate portfolio quality packaging through the use of a computer. As part of each project's development, the student will be involved in thorough research of the product and the audience. Prerequisites: ART 305 or permission of the instructor. (Special fee)
  • A basic introduction to the art of web design used as an informational and expressive visual medium through the use of software programs. Prior knowledge of computer basics and Adobe Photoshop required. The class will cover individual creativity, design skills, web development techniques as well as discussions about digital artists, web structure and critical reviews of existing art web sites. Prerequisites: CS 180, PHO 305 equivalent courses or instructor approval. Prerequisites: ART 101B and 205. (Special fee)

  • This practicum will allow the graphic design student to gain "real world" design and production experience through the development, design, and production of actual projects. Students will be required to work with clients in an effort to foster a greater understanding of how the design industry works. After meeting with the client, the student will (with the assistance of the instructor) serve as full capacity graphic designer. This practicum will require the student to be involved in budgetary concerns and printing press approvals. The student will also be required to keep a "log" of performed design and production-related tasks occurring throughout the semester. Repeatable course by permission of instructor. Prerequisites: ART 205, CS 180 and permission of the Department Chair.
  • This course focuses on experiential learning through field trips to cultural, historical, or environmental sites. Students will conduct research and document their experiences during these trips. They will then use these experiences as inspiration to create artworks back in the studio. They will have the opportunity to experiment with different media and techniques, translating their observations and impressions into visual form. Through observation, research, and documentation, students will develop a deeper understanding of the subjects they encounter. This process will encourage students to think critically about their experiences and express their interpretations creatively.
  • This course focuses on allowing students to explore the foundational elements of art education, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in teaching art. It will provide students with essential skills for constructing lessons, creating rubrics, and practicing teaching. Students will also learn the fundamentals of lesson planning, develop effective grading criteria, and gain hands-on experience in setting up and conducting art classes.
  • This course will be an exploration of design using text, typefaces and typographic technology to create professional typographic solutions. Typographic exercises will explore congruency between visual and verbal hierarchies, expressive use of typographic form, format/informational organization problems, and technical details of typographic specification and computer layout. In addition to a variety of projects focusing on typographic design, students will be expected to create and implement a new/unique typeface consisting of fifty-two characters and ten numbers. Prerequisite: ART 335. (Special fee).
  • This course addresses advertising design/production and client research. Ad campaigns and packaging concepts will be the specific design focus of this class. Utilizing contemporary design theory and tools, students will conceptualize, create and execute designs in a professional manner. This course will further reinforce the students' technical and problem solving skills by working with existing products instead of theoretical items. Prerequisite: ART 335. (Special fee)
  • The intent of this course is to provide an experience that integrates the design aesthetics learned in the Art of Web Design I, with a deeper exploration of coding techniques. Current industry standard software products and end-to-end website construction will be covered. This course will emphasize design principles, Responsive Web Design, navigation, and the visual interface of the website. Prerequisite: ART 367. (Special fee)
  • This advanced practicum will allow the graphic design student to gain more "real world" design and production experience through the development, design and production of actual projects. The addition of the added prerequisite ADV 301 Principles of Advertising gives the student more insight into designer/client relationships. As in ART 394 Art Practicum I, students will be required to work with clients in an effort to foster a greater understanding of how the design industry works. After meeting with the client, the student will (with the assistance of an instructor) serve as full capacity graphic designer. This practicum will require the student to be involved in budgetary concerns and printing press approvals. The student will also be required to keep a "log" of performed design and production-related tasks occurring throughout the semester. Repeatable course by permission of instructor. Prerequisites: CS 180, ART 205, ART 394, ADV 301 and permission of the Department Chair.

Art History Electives (6 credits)

  • Art and architecture of the Renaissance in relation to the political and social structures of the 15th and 16th centuries. Emphasis upon the Italian Renaissance, with Northern Renaissance art also covered.

  • Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism in European art studied in relation to social and intellectual developments.

  • An investigation of historical and contemporary visual communications concepts, media and images and their role in graphic design with a primary emphasis on the twentieth century. The course chronicles the events, influences, movements in history that have impacted the graphic design community. This course will begin with the invention of writing and the early cave paintings, moving through the history of printing in Europe to contemporary design theory and ideals.

  • Art and architecture in Europe and America from Fauvism and Cubism at the beginning of the century to Postmodernism at the end. The multiculturalism of recent art will be emphasized.

  • Examination of mixed media painting, sculpture, craft, installation and performance art, and architecture, from 1960 to the present.

  • An art history overview of the evolution of photography from its invention in the 1820’s up to contemporary experimental work.

  • Integration of the stylistic and technical developments in the history of photography, cinema and painting from 1839 to the present. Emphasis upon the interrelationship of aesthetic movements and cross-fertilizing influence of the different media. Analysis of classic movies as representative examples from film history.

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