Graphic Design Curriculum
The B.F.A. degree does not have a freshman entrance portfolio review for admission. Intended Graphic Design majors should ideally enroll in Studio Foundation course ARTS 279: Digital Basics in their first semester as pre-requisite for GDES 280: Introduction to Graphic Design. ARTS 279 may also be taken as a co-requisite to GDES 280. After the second year of required courses, students select one of the two program tracks, New Media Design and Design Applications. Students may enroll in courses across tracks, as available. Students must successfully complete required foundational art studio and graphic design coursework with a minimum grade of C.
Transfer students must demonstrate equivalent preparation at other institutions to receive credit for the studio art foundations courses. These are determined by faculty in the relevant areas. To receive credit for GDES 280: Introduction to Graphic Design, unless a transfer credit agreement exists between the original institution and ODU, transfer students must submit a portfolio for review by the graphic design faculty.
Students should develop course plans with the understanding that graphic design and most studio art courses are not offered during the Summer. Continuance in the graphic design major requires a grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses and requirements in the graphic design sequence. A final course grade of C- or lower requires the student to repeat the course to advance in the major.
Required Graphic Design Courses
(22 Credit Hours Total)
Click on the courses below to see prerequisites and course offerings. These courses are sequential and must be taken in order.
Graphic Design Elective Courses
(12 Credit Hours Total)
4-Year Curriculum Plan
The Curriculum Checklist is intended to be used along with preregistration advising appointments to guide students through the curriculum. To see a full list of course descriptions, which includes prerequisites, visit the Art Department undergraduate catalog page.
FIRST YEAR: FRESHMAN
Fall and Spring Semesters
- ARTS 202: Two Dimensional Design + Color Theory
- ARTS 231: Drawing I (Fundamentals of Drawing)
- ARTS 279: Digital Basics
Note: The courses listed above are prerequisites to GDES 280: Introduction to Graphic Design. These courses may be taken in any order or grouping across the Fall and Spring semesters.
SECOND YEAR: SOPHOMORE
Fall Semester
- GDES 280: Introduction to Graphic Design
Spring Semester
- GDES 365: Basic Typography
- GDES 370: Graphic Design Continuance Review
Note: Students must pass GDES 370 in order to advance to GDES 371 and GDES 372.
THIRD YEAR: JUNIOR
Fall Semester
- GDES 371: Design Concepts
- GDES 372: Advanced Typography
Spring Semester
- GDES 373: Design Systems
FORTH YEAR: SENIOR
Fall Semester
- GDES 490: Design Seminar
Spring Semester
- GDES 491: Design Capstone