Art and Design department web site
The information on this page pertains to program requirements for students who matriculated in the 2023-2024 academic year. View requirements for previous catalog years here.
The Graphic Design program at Drake helps students develop their creative and intellectual potential, explore new ideas and discover career opportunities. The program allows students to develop a personally fulfilling approach to design by focusing on critical thinking and process- oriented explorations. Students are immersed in a professional design environment, develop a broad range of technical skills, and initiate formal and conceptual abilities in preparation for a rewarding career as graphic design professionals. Through the study of fine art, craftsmanship, and design theory coupled with practical experiences, students acquire the knowledge to plan and design visual communications creatively and responsibly.
The Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design degree program allows the student to major in graphic design within the context of a liberal arts curriculum. This degree allows the student considerable flexibility in developing a course of study, as it can, in most cases, accommodate a double major or dual-degree programs. This degree track begins with the development of foundational skills in art history, drawing, and visual design and goes on to emphasize the fundamental skills and concepts of the practice of graphic design. The Senior Capstone experience for the degree is Art 191 Design Practicum. This course involves the design and production of a graphic design portfolio in preparation for graduation and entering a profession.
| Course | Credits |
| ART 013 - 2-D Design | 3 |
| ART 014 - Constructing Space | 3 |
| ART 015 - Observational Drawing | 3 |
| ART 100 - Design Issues | 3 |
| Art History / Studio Art Elective | 3 |
| Art History elective | 3 |
| Graphic Design track | |
| ART 050 - The Idea of Design | 3 |
| ART 051 - Typography | 3 |
| ART 052 - Form & Concept | 3 |
| ART 114 - Interactive Design | 3 |
| ART 191 - GD Practicum | 3 |
| Graphic Design elective | 9 |
| TOTAL | 42 |
In addition to requirements for all undergraduate degrees, which can be found in the Graduation Requirements area of the catalog, Art and Design students must meet the following requirements:
A student is placed on probation if either the cumulative grade-point average or the average in Department of Art and Design courses falls below 2.00 (a "C" average) during any semester in which a student has earned less than 30 total credit hours. A student may be placed on probation for failing to meet the University’s standards for satisfactory progress toward completion of degree requirements.
To continue progress toward a Department of Art and Design degree, a student must have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average and a 2.5 GPA in the Department of Art and Design courses at the end of the academic term in which the student completes the 30th credit hour. For transfer students, the 30th-hour GPA must be based upon at least 15 credit hours earned at Drake. Students who achieve the 2.5 GPA at the 30th-hour level are placed on probation if their GPAs fall below 2.5 in a subsequent semester. If the GPA is not raised to 2.5 or better after the probationary semester, the student may not continue in the Department of Art and Design or re-enroll later.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is a specialized four-year undergraduate program, which prepares students specifically in the common body of knowledge and skills required for a career in graphic design. It is a professional degree with the majority of credits dedicated to design or design-related course work. BFA Design students become adept in the creation and development of visual form with an understanding of the principles of visual organization and composition, information hierarchy, symbolic representation, typography, and the construction of meaningful images. They develop an understanding of the tools, technology, and mediums of the design profession and professional design practices. At the end of the junior year, BFA students take part in reviews with the faculty of the department and have the option of participation in a senior exhibition. In their last semester, students take the capstone experience, Art 191 Design Practicum, which involves the design and production of a presentation and digital portfolio and preparation for entry into the design profession.
| Course | Credits |
| ART 013 - 2-D Design | 3 |
| ART 014 - Constructing Space | 3 |
| ART 015 - Observational Drawing | 3 |
| Art and Design Studio Courses | |
| ART 0xx – 2-D Course elective | 3 |
| ART 0xx – 3-D Course elective | 3 |
|
ART 0xx – 2-D or 3-D Course elective |
3 |
| Art and Design History Courses | |
| ART 100 - Design Issues | 3 |
| Lower level Art History Elective | 3 |
| Upper level Art History Elective (two courses) | 6 |
| Art & Design Elective courses (any ART prefix course) | 12 |
| Graphic Design Track | 21 |
| ART 050 – The Idea of Design | 3 |
| ART 051 - Typography | 3 |
| ART 052 – Form and Concept | 3 |
| ART 114- Interactive Design | 3 |
| ART 115- Adv Typography | 3 |
| ART 116- Concept and Audience | 3 |
| ART 191- GD Practicum | 3 |
| Graphic Design electives* | 12 |
| TOTAL | 75 |
In addition to requirements for all undergraduate degrees, which can be found in the Graduation Requirements area of the catalog, Art and Design students must meet the following requirements:
A student is placed on probation if either the cumulative grade-point average or the average in Department of Art and Design courses falls below 2.00 (a "C" average) during any semester in which a student has earned less than 30 total credit hours. A student may be placed on probation for failing to meet the University’s standards for satisfactory progress toward completion of degree requirements.
To continue progress toward a Department of Art and Design degree, a student must have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average and a 2.5 GPA in the Department of Art and Design courses at the end of the academic term in which the student completes the 30th credit hour. For transfer students, the 30th-hour GPA must be based upon at least 15 credit hours earned at Drake. Students who achieve the 2.5 GPA at the 30th-hour level are placed on probation if their GPAs fall below 2.5 in a subsequent semester. If the GPA is not raised to 2.5 or better after the probationary semester, the student may not continue in the Department of Art and Design or re-enroll later.
The Graphic Design Minor is a focused exploration of design principles, history, theory and practice. It is composed of the first-year and sophomore year design courses and includes foundation studio courses. This approach gives students a significant introduction to the discipline and the ability to pursue further study in graphic design.
| Course | Credits |
| ART 013 - 2-D Design | 3 |
| ART 015 - Observational Drawing | 3 |
| ART 050 - Idea of Design | 3 |
| ART 051 - Typography | 3 |
| ART 052 - Form & Concept | 3 |
| ART 100 - Design Issues | 3 |
| Elective - Select any ART graphic design course numbered 100 or higher except for ART 129. | 3 |
| TOTAL | 21 |
The information in this catalog does not constitute a contract between the university and the student. The university reserves the right to make changes in curricula, admission policies and processes, tuition and financial aid, academic standards and guidelines, student services and any other regulations or policies set forth in this catalog without giving prior notice.