Dec 01, 2024  
2012-2013 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2012-2013 Undergraduate Bulletin [Archived Catalog]

Visual Communication and Design (B.F.A.)


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Program: B.F.A.
Department of Visual Communication and Design
College of Visual and Performing Arts

Visual Arts Building 213 ~ 260-481-6709 ~ www.ipfw.edu/vpa/vcd


The student learning outcomes for the degree are as follows:

  • Visual Communication and Design provides an exceptional professional degree program which combines creative development in an artistic discipline with career preparation. 
  • Visual Communication and Design students demonstrate: 
    • effective skills in written, oral, and multimedia communication while articulating their ideas in an appropriate media.
    • visual information literacy skills and quantitative reasoning as a means of gaining written and visual knowledge while  drawing reliable conclusions in their chosen discipline.
  • Visual Communication and Design students demonstrate:
    • effective skills in written, oral, and multimedia communication while articulating their ideas in an appropriate media.
    •  visual information literacy skills and quantitative reasoning as a means of gaining written and visual knowledge while  drawing reliable conclusions in their chosen discipline.
    • critical thinking and problem solving while also evaluating their ideas and technological competencies.
    • artistic and scholarly collaboration with continuous personal growth to the highest levels of personal integrity and professional ethics.
    • knowledge and skills based upon an understanding of historical traditions that formed one’s own and other cultures
    • a commitment to mutual respect through free and open visual inquiry and communications.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts program includes general education, art/design history, visual art, and design studio courses and offers concentrations in computer art and design, graphic design, and photography.

Students are eligible for admission to the B.F.A. major after (1) completing 45 credits of study with a garde of  C or better and a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 overall or higher and 3.0 in all required VCD and FINA  courses and (2) receiving approval for admission by the faculty after a portfolio review. A student may not enroll in any course numbered 300 or above until these criteria are met.

Admission

The student must meet the requirements of IPFW. Admission to the Department of Visual Communication and Design does not confer acceptance to the B.F.A. major. Newly admitted students are assigned to either a pre-B.F.A. or A.S. program. Later acceptance to the B.F.A. area of concentration is dependent upon satisfying the requirements of a portfolio review.

IPFW General Education Requirements Credits: 33


Area I—Linguistic and Numerical Foundations Credits: 9


See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses 

  • Quantitative reasoning course Credits: 3

Area II—Natural and Physical Sciences Credits: 6


See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses 

Area III—The Individual, Culture, and Society Credits: 6


See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses 

Area IV—Humanistic Thought Credits: 6


See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses 

Area V—Creative and Artistic Expression Credits: 3


See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses

Area VI—Inquiry and Analysis Credits: 3


See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses 

Art/Design History Credits: 12


  • Credits in art/design history courses numbered 300 or above: 6

Area of Concentration: Studio and Electives Credits: 75


Senior Project Credits: 6


Majors must complete a senior project in the elected area of concentration. This two-semester course requires of the student a project incorporating an in-depth study and exploration of an artistic endeavor. The senior project culminates in a B.F.A. thesis exhibition that is judged by the faculty and reviewed by the public. An artist’s statement and project description is a requirement of the exhibition installation.

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