Communications Design, BFA

Contact

Marc Stress, Program Coordinator
The Nancy Cantor Warehouse, mvstress@syr.edu

Faculty

Rachel Aubrey, Rebecca Kelly, Roderick Martinez, Marc Stress, Meri Page

Description

This B.F.A. degree program introduces a field offering almost unlimited options and professional opportunities. Its unique structure enables students to pursue a broad range of interests pertaining to the profession of communications design. Branding, corporate graphics and identity systems, advertising, packaging, environmental graphics, exhibition design, visual marketing, publication design and electronic and interactive media are some of the most common areas of study. The program is designed to accommodate many relevant interests in the overall design profession and pragmatically prepares graduates for careers in the field.

The courses emphasize, above all else, the conceptual and strategic aspects of advertising, marketing, and communications design as well as the development of basic design skills, the use of technology, and the historical and theoretical foundations of design.

Student Learning Outcomes

Solve communication problems with a defined process
Demonstrate skills of indication, accuracy, and use of materials
Create/direct visual form/Image in response to communication problems
Visually organize compositions/layouts including, image and typographic hierarchy
Describe and respond with clear and original design concept decisions, to the audiences and contexts that communication solutions must address
Understand of the professionalism of basic business practices

Program Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Major Requirements
DES 101	Digital Tools for Designers I	3
DES 102	Digital Tools for Designers II	3
DES 103	Analog Design Tools	3
CMD 104	Fundamentals of Communications Design	3
CMD 251	Intro Communication Design I	3
CMD 252	Intro Communication Design II	3
CMD 281	Design Methods	3
CMD 282	Design Skills & Processes	3
CMD 351	Problem Solving Strategies	3
CMD 352	Design Project Management	3
CMD 450	Communication Design Problems ((x2) 3 credits each)	6
CMD 450	Communication Design Problems ((x2) 6 credits each)	12
CMD 452	Portfolio & Practice	3
Art History Requirements
DES 114	Design, Cultural Traditions and the Environment	3
Art/Design History Elective		3
Art/Design History Elective		3
DES 113	History of Modern Design: 1850-Present	3
Academic Requirements
WRT 105	Studio 1: Practices of Academic Writing	3
WRT 205	Studio 2: Critical Research and Writing	3
Liberal Arts Electives/Academic Electives
The required 24 credits should consist of 12 credits of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and 12 credits of Academic Electives.		24
Academic electives are most courses offered outside of art, design, or transmedia (for example, courses offered in CRS, Arts and Sciences, Whitman, and other colleges outside of VPA). These academic courses usually have non-art-related content, such as math, natural sciences, astronomy, global history, political science, psychology, and entrepreneurship, and languages at the 100-level, among others.
You can find a comprehensive list of courses that count here.
Studio Electives
Studio electives are courses usually offered in VPA through art, design, or transmedia. The content of the courses directly relates to the preparation of students for professional careers in art, design, and transmedia. The course content includes, but is not limited to, conceptualization, process, product, and critique of creative work in studio practice. These courses meet for a much longer time, for a minimum of four hours per week for the duration of the semester. Usual meeting patterns are: the class meets once per week for four+ hours, or the class meets twice per week, usually for two or more hours each.		18
You can find a comprehensive list of courses that count here.
Free Electives
Select eight credits		8
Study Abroad
Pending a successful application and meeting program requirements, students may be eligible to spend the spring semester of their junior year abroad at the SU Center in London, UK or in Florence, Italy. Please refer to the SUAbroad website for eligibility and application criteria.
Total Credits		119

Degree Awarded: BFA in Communications Design

Undergraduate University Requirements

The following requirements and experiences apply to all Syracuse University Undergraduate matriculated degree programs.

Course Catalogs