Graphic Design
Associate of Fine Arts
Transfer Major
Decisions on the transferability of courses are made by the four-year colleges and differ from school to school. Students enrolled in this major should contact the Transfer Services Office early in their academic program to determine which courses will transfer to the college of their choice.
Arts & Communication
Hicks Art Center • Phone (215) 968-8425
Curriculum Code No. 1110
This major begins with the traditional Fine Arts Foundation experience and then introduces students to the field of graphic design using up-to-date technology and industry-standard software applications. Although graduates from this program typically pursue transfer to professional art schools and complete a baccalaureate degree, this program also provides sufficient training for those seeking to begin an entry-level graphic design career in advertising agencies, publishing companies, television stations, packaging companies, magazines, and other firms in the business of communicating information visually.
All full-time students entering as Graphic Design majors are required to schedule a portfolio review. In the absence of a portfolio, students will schedule an assessment interview for placement purposes. An art advisor will help select the appropriate sequence of courses.
Graduates of this program are able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the methods and materials associated with fundamental drawing, two-dimensional design, and three-dimensional design;
- read about, write about, and analyze art and art history using basic research, critical thinking skills, and a visual arts vocabulary;
- demonstrate and apply fundamental skills associated with digital imaging, layout, typography, graphic design, and web design; and
- prepare and present a formal, professional-quality portfolio of work.*
* In preparing and presenting a portfolio in VAFA250, students currently need an array of digital skills, such as, but not limited to, media capture, manipulation, and presentation. Students take several required digital courses (e.g. VAMM100, VAGD101, VAGD102, VAGD201, VAMM110) and then reinforce/develop their digital skills across the major. Essential digital competencies associated with portfolio preparation and presentation are assessed within this course.
Bucks County Community College is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Arts and Design.
Note: Studio courses can be expensive. Lab Fees may be required.
Degree Course Requirements*
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| VAFA100 Drawing I 1 | 3 |
| VAFA101 2-D Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| VAFA102 3-D Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| VAFA103 Drawing II E | 3 |
| VAFA104 2-D Design Color E | 3 |
| VAFA250 Fine Arts and Design Portfolio Studio E,5,9 | 3 |
| VAGD101 Layout and Basic Typography E | 3 |
| VAGD102 Illustration: Drawing and Digital E | 3 |
| VAGD201 Graphic Design E | 3 |
| VAMM100 Digital Imaging | 3 |
| VAMM110 Web and Interactive Design E | 3 |
| COLL101 Orientation to College | 1 |
| COMP110 English Composition I A,E,10 | 3 |
| COMP111 English Composition II E,2,4,10 | 3 | Art History C,E,1 | 6 |
| Math/Science A,D,6,7 | 3/4 |
| Social Science/Diversity B,3,8 | 3 |
| Elective G | 3 |
| Studio Electives F | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 61/62 |
Recommended Semester Sequence
The recommended course sequence is designed for full time students who average l5 credit hours per semester. Students may need more time to complete major requirements based on placement testing. This additional time will entail some adjustments to the sequence recommended.
First Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COLL101 Orientation to College | 1 |
| VAFA100 Drawing I 1 | 3 |
| VAFA101 2-D Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| VAFA102 3-D Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| VAMM100 Digital Imaging | 3 |
| COMP110 English Composition I A,E,10 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 16 |
Second Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| VAFA103 Drawing II E | 3 |
| VAFA104 2-D Design Color E | 3 |
| VAGD101 Layout and Basic Typography E | 3 |
| COMP111 English Composition II E,2,4,10 | 3 |
| Art History C,E,1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
Third Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| VAGD201 Graphic Design E | 3 |
| VAMM110 Web and Interactive Design E | 3 |
| Art History C,E,1 | 3 |
| Studio Elective F | 3 |
| Social Science/Diversity B,3,8 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
Fourth Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| VAGD102 Illustration: Drawing and Digital E | 3 |
| VAFA250 Fine Arts and Design Portfolio Studio E,5,9 | 3 |
| Math/Science A,D,6,7 | 3/4 |
| Studio Elective F | 3 |
| Elective G | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15/16 |
A Placement testing required.
B Any of the following may be chosen: COMM111, ECON111, GEOG110, MUSC103, POLI111, PSYC110, SOCI110, SOCI120.
C Choose one or two of the following for Arts/Humanities: VAFA191, VAFA192, VAFA193; VAGD190 is also an available art history elective.
D Any of the following may be chosen: SCIE101, SCIE102, SCIE104, CHEM101.
E Course requires prerequisite and/or co-requisite.
FAny of the following may be chosen: VACV140, VAFA105, VAPH110, VAPH210, VAPH211, VAFA160, VAFA161, VAFA171, VAFA200, VAFA202, VAGD280, VAMM120, VAMM130, VAMM209.
G MGMT100, MGMT110, MKTG200, MKTG220 are recommended. However, any college-level course may be chosen to fulfill this free elective.
1 Satisfies Arts/Humanities.
2 Satisfies Critical Thinking.
3 Satisfies Diversity.
4 Satisfies Information Literacy.
5 Satisfies Oral Communication.
6 Satisfies Quantitative Literacy.
7 Satisfies Scientific Literacy.
8 Satisfies Social Sciences.
9 Satisfies Technological Competence.
10 Satisfies Writing.
Credits exceeding the required minimum cannot be used to satisfy required credits in other course requirements.