Northeastern University
art + design Department of Visual Arts, Northeastern Unviersity

Graphic Design - BFA

Graphic Design is the practice of visualizing ideas and information to enhance human understanding. The Graphic Design major at Northeastern focuses on the ability to create and compose visual and verbal components to construct meaning in diverse knowledge fields. An intensive studio-based program, the curriculum balances design history and theory with studio projects in both dynamic and static media to provide a broad understanding of the principles of perception and communication. As active participants in the interpretation and production of meaning itself, students integrate the many facets of their university-based liberal arts experience. Extensive computer facilities enable students to become proficient in the leading-edge skills necessary to produce their work for both the virtual and concrete worlds.

For detailed information on the Department of Art + Design curriculum, please see the NU Undergraduate Catalog for 2008-2009

Freshman Year

  • ART 100 Art + Design at Northeastern
  • ART 124 Basic Drawing
  • ART 130 Visual Studies Foundation 1
  • ART 123 2D Tools for ART 130
  • ART 101 History of Art before 1400
  • ART 121 Drawing 2 Foundation
  • ART 131 Visual Studies Foundation 2
  • ART 125 3D Tools for ART 131
  • ART 103 History of Art since 1400
  • ART 102 Color 1 Foundation
  • Sophomore Year

  • ART 104 Color 2 Foundation
  • ART 132 4D Foundation
  • ART 133 4D Tools for ART 132
  • ART 134 Interactive Foundation
  • ART 135 Interactive Tools for ART 134
  • ART 210 Art + Design History, 1900 to 1945
  • ART 211 Art + Design History, 1945 to present
  • ART 333 Design 1 and Drawing
  • ART 334 Typography 1
  • Middler Year

  • ART 344 Typography 2
  • ART 4D Design Elective
  • ART Digital Arts Elective
  • Junior Year

  • ART 443 Graphic Design 2
  • ART 691 Information Architecture
  • Open Elective
  • Senior Year

  • ART TBD Contemporary Directions in Graphic Design
  • ART 4D Design Elective
  • ART 630 Degree Project in Graphic Design
  • ART Design Elective
  • Open Elective
  • Electives

    4D Design Electives

    Choose 2 from these classes:

  • ART 635 Time-Based Design
  • ART 644 Interactive Design
  • ART 691 Information Architecture
  • ART TBD Environmental Design
  • Design Elective

    Choose 1 from these classes, or any 4D Design Elective:

  • ART TBD Typography 3
  • ART TBD Special Topics in Art + Design
  • All A+D major Elective

  • ART TBD Portfolio Workshop
  • Digital Arts Elective

    Choose 1 from these classes:

  • ART 160 Photography 1
  • ART 175 Animation Basics
  • ART 180 Video Basics