Fine Art and Graphic Design
Majors
Fine Art - Graphic Design
General Information
The Division of Art offers two baccalaureate degrees, one in Fine Art and one in Graphic Design, and prepares the student to enter a variety of professional careers in the visual arts or graduate study. An associate degree in Fine Art is also available. The Division of Art offers four academic minors: Art History, Fine Art, Visual Communication, or Photography. These complement a student's major area of study. Courses in Art Education are offered as a cognate area of study to students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.
Required Courses: Fine Art
Required Courses: Graphic Design
Division of Art
FINE ART - BACHELOR OF ARTS
Purpose
The Bachelor of Fine Art program is designed to prepare the student for entry into professional positions such as illustrator, teacher, art director, art critic, studio/ commercial photographer, or independent artist, and stresses life-long growth as an artist.
The program emphasizes the mastery of technical processes, understanding how ideas are expressed in the visual arts, developing visual and verbal communication skills, and original and creative thought. Students expand their studio experience through exhibitions, internships in professional settings and participating in the Professional Development Seminar. Travel to museums and galleries and visits by professional artists complete the student's training.
Minors
The Art Division offers academic minors in Art History, Fine Art and Photography to complement the student's major area of study. Students may also opt to earn a two-year Associate Degree in Fine Art. Students are also encouraged to consider a minor in an area of study that relates well to the Fine Arts major, such as Entrepreneurial Studies, Advertising, Marketing, Psychology, History, or Languages.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 129 credits, achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above, and satisfy the college's residency requirements and general education requirements. Fine Art majors also must successfully complete a series of Foundation Courses. These classes provide students with technical bases, creative problem-solving skills and help identify professional interests. Senior Fine Art students register for the Professional Development Seminar and participate in the Senior Art Majors' Exhibition.
GRAPHIC DESIGN - BACHELOR OF ARTS
Purpose
The Graphic Design program combines studio work, design theory and criticism, and design history with York College's strong academic curriculum to provide graduates with the tools they will need to become successful professionals in their chosen field. Student designers learn not only about the tools and techniques, both traditional and digital, necessary to make their ideas come to life, but also the ways in which their work relates to their culture and society. Coursework in graphic design history gives students a valuable perspective on where their chosen discipline has been, where it is going, and how technology affects the way people communicate.
Minors
Many available minors relate well to the Graphic Design major, including fine art, Photography, Advertising, Marketing, Psychology, Music, Theatre, Languages and Entrepreneurial Studies.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 129 credits and achieve a cumulative average of 2.0 or greater, while satisfying the college's residency and general education requirements. Senior Graphic Design majors are required to produce a senior thesis, which is exhibited in the spring semester of their senior year.
Special Facilities
The Division of Art is housed in the Music, Art, and Communications Center. The Center includes north-lit studios for drawing and illustration, painting, sculpture, and photography, as well as a television studio for video production. The Graphic Design labs feature publishing and multimedia software, as well as large format color printers, and a projection system. The labs and studios are available for student use anytime the building is open and class is not in session.
Special Opportunities Art students receive professional development opportunities in the these areas:
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internships
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guest speakers and visiting artists
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art trips to major metropolitan areas
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student chapter of AIGA (American Institute of the Graphic Arts)
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exposure to professional gallery exhibitions and activities
