Communication Design, BFA
Shape visual systems through sustained studio work, typography and critical discussion.
Give an idea a clear visual form.
Communication Design is a studio-centered BFA built around sustained making and critique. Typography, visual hierarchy and editorial systems become ways to think about the relationship between a work and its audience.
Four five-credit studios create time for iteration. You will keep a process archive, develop a senior design system and edit a portfolio that explains decisions as well as showing finished work.
The degree in view
The BFA requires 128 semester credits. The shared core connects your specialized study with writing, evidence, interpretation and public life. An adviser helps you choose electives that fit your interests without losing sight of the degree requirements.
Required courses
VART110Visual Thinking
Develop observation, composition and visual explanation through drawing, image studies and critique. 3 credits. Prerequisites: none.
MEDI110Media & Meaning
Analyze how image, sound, sequence and distribution shape the interpretation of a media work. 3 credits. Prerequisites: none.
COMP115Computational Thinking
Translate a problem into a sequence of operations and build small programs with readable structure and basic tests. 3 credits. Prerequisites: none.
CDES150Design Studio I
Explore visual hierarchy, typography and composition through iterative studio assignments. 5 credits. Prerequisites: none.
CDES220Design Studio II
Develop editorial and identity systems through material experiments, production work and critique. 5 credits. Prerequisites: CDES150.
CDES310Design Studio III
Connect research, audience needs and visual systems in a sustained communication project. 5 credits. Prerequisites: CDES220.
CDES410Senior Design Studio
Develop an independent design system through proposal reviews, prototyping and public exhibition. 5 credits. Prerequisites: CDES310.
CDES490Portfolio & Design Practice
Edit a professional portfolio and write a clear account of design decisions, process and responsibilities. 3 credits. Prerequisites: CDES410.
A related-study pathway
One approved related-study pathway; the sample plan uses these six courses. Alternatives require an adviser-approved sequence with the same credit value.
An eight-semester example
The plan below completes prerequisites before the next sequenced course. Breadth electives come from outside the major division; free electives can support exploration or a coherent additional interest. Consult your adviser before changing a sequence.
| Semester | Courses and elective spaces | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 · Fall | WRIT101, COMM105, VART110, Breadth elective, Free elective | 15 |
| Year 1 · Spring | PHIL110, HIST120, MEDI110, Breadth elective, Free elective | 15 |
| Year 2 · Fall | WRIT201, LIT130, COMP115, CDES150, Breadth elective | 17 |
| Year 2 · Spring | ARTS105, QUAN105, CDES220, DGMD150, Breadth elective | 17 |
| Year 3 · Fall | SCIE105, CIVI120, CDES310, DATA150, Free elective | 17 |
| Year 3 · Spring | ETHI210, GLBL150, CDES410, BUSI150, Free elective | 17 |
| Year 4 · Fall | DGMD220, DATA220, Free elective, Free elective, Free elective | 15 |
| Year 4 · Spring | CDES490, BUSI220, Free elective, Free elective, Free elective | 15 |
Work toward a capstone
A coherent visual communication system, process archive, exhibition and professional portfolio.
Your proposal sets the scope, method and expected form of the final work. Scheduled reviews give you an opportunity to respond to feedback before a public presentation or exhibition.
A person to plan with
Elena Park
Associate Professor, Communication Design
Foundry Studios, Room 112
Editorial systems, typography and socially engaged design.
Start an advising conversationConsider your next direction
The degree can support junior technical or creative roles, project and portfolio-based work, graduate study in a related field. Career Studio can help you translate project work into a portfolio, a clear account of methods or the preparation for further study.
Explore Career Studio