BFA.GRAPH.120 - BFA: Graphic Design (120)
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The following curriculum is applicable to students entering RISD as first-year students in Fall 2024. Transfer students follow the 126-credit curriculum.
2024 - 2025 | Curriculum | 4-year program
The core curriculum in Graphic Design builds a range of analytical, formal, sensory and technical design experiences. Sophomores begin exploring visual principles of form, image, color and typography. Conceptual thinking in areas such as communication theory, visual systems and information design forms the focus of the junior year. During senior year, emphasis is placed on design applications, with a range of electives available to expose students to specific areas of graphic design practice. Juniors and seniors also have opportunities to pursue professional internships over the summer or during the semester.
Degree Requirements
FIRST-YEAR | ||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
15 | Non-major Studio Elective | 3 | 15 | |||
SOPHOMORE | ||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||
GRAPH 3210 - Design Studio I | 3 | Optional | GRAPH 3220 - Design Studio 2 | 3 | ||
GRAPH 3214 - Typography I | 3 | GRAPH 3215 - Typography II | 3 | |||
GRAPH 3225 - History of Graphic Design | 3 | GRAPH 3211 - Color + Surface | 3 | |||
Liberal Arts | 6 | Liberal Arts | 6 | |||
Total Credits | 15 | 15 | ||||
JUNIOR | ||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||
GRAPH 3223 - Typography III | 3 | Optional | GRAPH 3216 - Design Studio 4 | 3 | ||
GRAPH 3226 - Design Studio 3 | 6 | Graphic Design Elective | 3 | |||
Graphic Design Elective | 3 | Non-major Studio Elective | 3 | |||
Liberal Arts | 3 | Liberal Arts | 6 | |||
Total Credits | 15 | 15 | ||||
SENIOR | ||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||
GRAPH 3227 - Counter Histories in Graphic Design (SEI) | 3 | Optional | GRAPH 3298 - Degree Project | 6 | ||
Open Studio Elective | 3 or 6 | Open Studio Elective | 3 or 6 | |||
Non-major Studio Elective | 3 | Non-major Studio Elective | 3 | |||
Liberal Arts | 3 | Liberal Arts | 3 | |||
Total Credits | 12 or 15 | 12 or 15 | ||||
Total Program Credits: 120
Notes:
Liberal Arts Electives - 27 credits (after the first year)
Studio Electives - 24 credits (including the first-year Wintersession). Studio electives include major electives, non-major studio electives, open electives and workshops.