Graphic Design (GDES)
The Graphic Design program in the School of Industrial and Graphic Design prepares students to practice visual communication in a competitive global environment. Graphic Design students follow a curriculum that provides variety and depth in all aspects of the field, supported by Fine Arts electives. Varied career opportunities range from the development of strategies to implement large-scale communications campaigns, to the design of effective communication products such as magazines, logo and identity development, interactive media, web design, packaging, exhibitions, illustration, and environmental graphics. Graphic design students have excellent opportunities for internship experiences as a result of well-established relationships with regional, national and international companies and firms.
The Graphic Design program maintains the right to limit freshmen and transfer enrollment. Admission into the BFA in Graphic Design is selective, is limited, and is based on a multiple step process. Admission criteria can be found below the curriculum model.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 1100 English Composition I | 3 | ENGL 1120 English Composition II | 3 |
| GDES 1110 Foundation Drawing | 4 | Core Science I | 4 |
| GDES 1210 Foundation Design I | 4 | GDES 1220 Foundation Design II2 | 4 |
| ARTS 2100 Foundations of Art History I | 3 | ARTS 2150 Foundations of Art History II | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Core Literature I (Humanities) | 3 | Core Literature | 3 |
| Core History (Social Science) | 3 | GDES 3710 Graphic Design History (or Core Social Science) | 4 |
| GDES 2210 Graphic Processes2 | 4 | GDES 2230 Introduction to Graphic Design2 | 4 |
| GDES 2220 Typographics I | 4 | Art History/Art/Design Elective | 3 |
| 3000-Level Art History | 3 | Art History/Art/Design Elective | 3 |
| 17 | 17 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Core Math | 3-4 | Social Science | 3 |
| Core Science with lab | 4 | GDES 3210 Photo Design1 | 4 |
| Core Social Science (or GDES 3710 if not yet completed) | 3 | GDES 4240 Graphic Design I2 | 4 |
| GDES 3240 Interactive Media2 | 4 | Art History/Art/Design Elective | 3 |
| Art History/Art/Design Elective | 3 | ||
| 14-15 | 17 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Social Science | 3 | Core Humanities (Philosophy) | 3 |
| Core Fine Arts (Humanities) | 3 | Graphic Design Electives | 4 |
| GDES 4250 Graphic Design II2 | 4 | GDES 4991 Research, Writing and Presenta | 1 |
| Graphic Design Electives | 4 | GDES 4990 Senior Project for Graphic Des2 | 5 |
| Elective | 3 | UNIV 4AA0 Achieve the Creed | 0 |
| 17 | 13 | ||
| Total Hours: 123-124 | |||
See advisor for approved course listing.
- 1
GDES 4640 or GDES 3220 can be substituted for GDES 3210.
- 2
Professional Fee Charged
Acceptance and Progression into the Professional Graphic Design Program
- Application for Pre-Graphic Design: Once accepted to Auburn University, students will be designated as Pre-Graphic Design (PGDE) for the first year of the curriculum.
- PGDE to GDES (Admission to GDES Major): After completing the first year level Pre-Graphic Design curriculum, an admission process based on GPA ranking admits qualified students into the Graphic Design program. Pre-Graphic Design students must complete at least 24 semester hours of credit including: GDES 1110 Foundation Drawing; GDES 1210 Foundation Design I; GDES 1220 Foundation Design II; ARTS 2100 Foundations of Art History I; ARTS 2150 Foundations of Art History II; and at least 6 hours of coursework counting toward the University Core Curriculum. The formula GPA for entrance to the Graphic Design program will be calculated on the above listed courses only. (The two highest Core grades will be utilized in the event that more than two core classes have been completed.) Students will be ranked by formula GPA, and the top students will be selected. These students will be notified and then registered in the next level courses - GDES 2210 Graphic Processes and GDES 2220 Typographics I, by the CADC Office of Student Services. Students who are not accepted can reapply in following semesters. In the event of a tie, the numeric grade earned in GDES 1220, Foundation Design II, will be used to break the tie. Students who earn a D or F in a formula course may repeat the class per Auburn University policy, and the subsequent grade will be averaged with the D or F to determine the formula grade. Students may not repeat a course in which the student earned a C or better for purposes of the formula GPA.
To ensure students are well-prepared for the demands of the Graphic Design profession, all required courses in the major must be successfully completed with a minimum grade of C. If a student earns a C in any required class, they are expected to consult with the Graphic Design student advisor to discuss progress and identify strategies for improvement. Should a grade of D or F be received, the student will undergo a review of relevant coursework by the program chair and must retake the course before advancing in the curriculum.
If a student receives a second grade of C, D, or F in required coursework, their academic standing will be reviewed by a committee of graphic design faculty. This committee evaluation will determine whether the student is able to continue in the Graphic Design professional degree program, based on their ability to meet the program’s academic standards and expectations.
Transfer Students for Graphic Design
A student must have a minimum cumulative unadjusted GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) on all collegiate work attempted and apply for admission with the university admissions office. If accepted for admission they are eligible to declare Pre-Graphic Design and begin the first-year curriculum.