The B.F.A. in Graphic + Interactive Design is an online program that will begin in the spring 2025 semester.
Faculty
Amy Copeland, M.F.A.
Assistant Professor
Bliss Hall 4089
330.941.3627
adcopeland01@ysu.edu
Sebastian Giraldo, M.F.A.
Assistant Professor
Bliss Hall 4085
330.941.3301
sgiraldo@ysu.edu
Michelle Nelson, M.F.A.
Professor
Bliss Hall 4073
330.941.1858
mnelson@ysu.edu
About the Major
Our program is meticulously designed to empower you with the skills essential for a successful career in the dynamic field of graphic design. This learning model benefits recent high school graduates, working professionals, parents, or others with commitments beyond the classroom. Join our fully online B.F.A. in Graphic Design and unleash your creativity on the world.
Here’s the scoop:
- Trailblazing Alumni: Our grads? They’re the magic behind Disney, Sherwin-Williams, Southwest Airlines, and more.
- Crafting Impact: Dive into immersive seven-week semesters (we’ve got six start dates a year!) and create designs that leap off printed pages, dazzle phone screens, and dominate billboards.
- Flexibility is Key: Tailor your study hours to your unique schedule. Whether you’re a parent, a working professional, or a military personnel, our program is designed to accommodate your needs.
- Anywhere, Anytime: Break free from boundaries! Our 100% online program lets you earn your degree from your hometown, a different state, or even while stationed as a military professional.
- Practical Skills Galore: Dive into industry-standard software, build a portfolio that screams “hire me,” and snag those remote work skills.
- Independence & Grit: Develop the mojo you need to thrive in your future career. Self-discipline is a must, and we help you shape that.
- Diverse Design Courses: Immerse yourself in over 20 design-focused courses that keep you focused on skills for your future career. These modules are carefully crafted to expose you to a wide range of directions a design career can take.
Our faculty are not just teachers, they're mentors. They provide personalized video feedback, dissect your concepts, scrutinize your type usage, and analyze your images within the design software you use. This hands-on, individualized approach empowers you to make informed design choices and master the software, regardless of your current level.
Our collaborative community ensures you thrive, providing the support you need to succeed in your creative journey. As you dive into hands-on learning with industry-standard software, you’ll build a portfolio aligned with current graphic design trends and gain practical skills highly valued in the job market. Plus, our program equips you with essential remote work skills, preparing you for a dynamic job market.
Contact Information
To learn more about our degree programs, scholarships, professional development and careers, exhibitions, faculty, and students, visit Department of Art or contact us at 330.941.3627.
To schedule a personalized campus visit, contact The Cliffe College of Creative Arts' Program Coordinator of Admissions and Recruitment at 330.941.2346 or sawaltman@ysu.edu.
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS | ||
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar | 1-2 |
| or YSU 1500S | Youngstown State University Success Seminar | |
| or HONR 1500 | Intro to Honors | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 | 3-4 |
| or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 with Support | |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| Any Gen Ed Math (Recommended MATH 2623) | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities (2 courses) Included in major | 0 | |
| Natural Sciences (2 courses, 1 with lab) (7 s.h.) | 7 | |
| Social Science (2 courses) | 6 | |
| General Education Electives (9 s.h.) | 9 | |
| Communication Foundations | ||
Any 2 Gen Ed Courses (6 s.h.) | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Courses: | ||
| ART 1529 | Design + 2D | 3 |
| ART 1531 | Design + Drawing as Thinking | 3 |
| ART 1532 | Design + Raster Images | 3 |
| ART 1533 | Design + Color | 3 |
| ART 1534 | Design + Painting | 3 |
| Studio Courses: | ||
| ART 2663 | Design + Photography 1 | 3 |
| ART 3756 | Design + Photography 2 | 3 |
| ART 3763 | Illustration (Prerequisite not required with instructor permission) | 3 |
| ART 4860 | Design + Illustration 2 | 3 |
| Print Design Courses: | ||
| ART 2661 | Print Design 1 | 3 |
| ART 3761 | Print Design 2 | 3 |
| ART 3754 | Design + Prepress | 3 |
| ART 4861 | Publication Design (Prerequisite not required with instructor permission) | 3 |
| Interactive Design Courses: | ||
| ART 2635 | Design + UX/UI Theory | 3 |
| ART 3759 | Interactive Design 1 | 3 |
| ART 3769 | Interactive Design 2 | 3 |
| ART 3765 | Motion Design | 3 |
| Expanded Design Courses: | ||
| ART 2660 | Design + Applications | 3 |
| ART 3760 | Typography 1 | 3 |
| ART 3762 | Typography 2 | 3 |
| ART 3764 | Typeface Design | 3 |
| ART 4863 | Logo + Branding Design | 3 |
| ART 4899 | Design + Senior Seminar | 1 |
| Capstone Course: | ||
| ART 4898 | Design + Senior Project | 3 |
| Art History Courses: | ||
| ART 1541 | Survey of Art History 1 | 3 |
| ART 1542 | Global Art since 1400 | 3 |
| ART 3783 | History and Theory of Graphic Design | 3 |
| Choose one 3700 level or higher Art History course from the following: | 3 | |
| ART 3740, ART 3742, ART 3743, ART 3745, ART 3746, ART 3750, ART 3784, ART 3785, ART 3789, ART 4880, ART 5881 | ||
| Business Courses | ||
| BUS 1500 | Foundations of Business (Business Course) | 3 |
| MKTG 3703 | Marketing Concepts and Practice | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 120-122 | |
Learning Outcomes
1.) Students will be able to demonstrate their proficiency of design vocabulary.
2.) Students will be able to demonstrate technical expertise appropriate to their progression in design.
3.) Students will be able to demonstrate a high level of conceptual development when creating multifaceted Graphic Design pieces.