Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design (BFA)
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design is a professional degree which focuses on intensive work in art and design supported by a program of general studies. This degree provides a foundation for the student; to develop strategies to solve communication problems and design effective communication products.
Admissions
Students who have been accepted into the Graphic Design Program or UX/UI Design emphasis will need to have their own laptop computer for classes.
Computer Requirements for Accepted Graphic Design Students
Laptop RequirementStudents who have been accepted into the Graphic Design Program or UX/UI Design emphasis through successfully passing the Program Application Review will need to have their own laptop computer for classes. Some upper-division courses are held in labs that require the students to use their own computers. Macs are preferred; however, students may choose a Mac or PC. Most importantly, a student should choose a portable computer capable of running professional design software.
Hard Drive for Project Files
Additionally, Students should have 1 TB of either internal or external SSD Storage.
Please refer to the following specifications when selecting a computer.
Mac Specifications
Processor: Apple silicon M1 or newer
OS: macOS Monterey or later
Memory: 16GB of Unified Memory GPU: Apple Silicon 16GB of Unified Memory
Storage: Fast internal SSD for app installation and cache, Additional high-speed drive(s) for media as noted above 1TB of storage is highly recommended.
Display: 1920x1080 or greater
PC Specifications
Processor: Intel® 11th Gen or newer CPU with Quick Sync, or AMD Ryzen™ 3000 Series / Threadripper 2000 series or newer CPU
OS: Windows 10 (64-bit) version 22H2 (or later) or Windows 11
Memory: 32 GB or more for 4K and higher
GPU:
- Windows with NVIDIA GPU: GPU must be of the Maxwell generation or newer and have at least 4GB of VRAM
- Windows with Intel or AMD GPU: Discrete GPU with at least 4GB VRAM and support for OpenGL
Display: 1920x1080 or greater
Soundcard: ASIO compatible or Microsoft Windows Driver Model
Why Graphic Design?
Graphic design surrounds us: websites, signage, books, advertisements, labels, packaging, symbols, magazines, posters, interactive DVDs. Graphic design is the study of effective visual communication and the art of presenting information in an engaging way to a specific audience. Graphic design as a discipline has a rich history, yet it is always firmly embedded in contemporary culture, business practices, and current technology. Students who graduate with a BFA in Graphic Design at SUU will create a professional portfolio that showcases their work in both print and interactive design.
Courses focusing on branding, web and interactivity, print publications and packaging are just a few of the classes in a project-based curriculum. Emphasis is placed on real-world problem-solving, while allowing room for experimentation and growth for each student.