Units required for major: 79
Minimum units required for BFA: 120
Program Description
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design has been developed to prepare students for professional practice and/or preparation for admission to graduate level study.
The course of study is a layered exploration that starts with fundamental principles of visual communication paired with an intensive introduction to the creative process. Exposure to multiple facets of two and three-dimensional design opens up the students’ ability to engage in interdisciplinary work. Each successive layer builds in complexity to encompass technical, conceptual, and research challenges that run concurrently with a series of classes devoted to professional practice. Historical perspective and ethical concerns are addressed throughout the curriculum. A series of curated electives provide an additional conduit for students to explore possible interdisciplinary connections in their future design practice. The programs goal is to provide the community with a comprehensive visual problem solver that has a strong aesthetic ability coupled with a clear understanding of the strategic and conceptual challenges facing them in practice.
Admission Requirements
The Graphic Design program at Sacramento State is one of the most highly sought-after programs in Northern California. Due to the large number of applicants, the program is officially impacted and enrollment in upper division coursework is subject to a supplemental application.
The application for admission includes completion of a specific set of required lower division prerequisites and submission of a portfolio. Portfolio specifications and application procedures are available on the Department of Design website. It is highly recommended that interested students speak with a Graphic Design advisor as soon as possible.
Minimum Grade Requirement
Students wishing to become Graphic Design majors must complete a series of required lower division courses with a grade of "C" or better and then must apply for admission to the program.
Prerequisite Lower Division Course Requirements
When submitting an application with the required portfolio students must have completed or be enrolled in the following courses:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| GPHD 25 | Visual Basics | 3 |
| GPHD 30 | Visual Basics II | 5 |
| PHOT 12 | Digital Photography II | 3 |
| At least two of the following: | 6 | |
| Design and Thinking | ||
| Design and Society Since 1780 | ||
| Introduction to Graphic Design | ||
| History Of Graphic Design | ||
| Total Units | 17 | |
Technology Requirement
Students that have been accepted to the Graphic Design program, with the Department of Design, are required to own a laptop computer with appropriate software for upper division courses. Upon beginning upper division coursework this requirement must be met. Before purchasing, please consult your major advisor or the Department of Design Office for the specific minimum requirements for the laptop computer and software.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Design Core Courses (10 Units) | ||
| DSGN 4 | Design and Thinking | 3 |
| DSGN 10 | Think Make | 4 |
| DSGN 20 | Design and Society Since 1780 | 3 |
| Required Lower Division Major Courses (17 Units) | ||
| GPHD 5 | Introduction to Graphic Design 1 | 3 |
| GPHD 20 | History Of Graphic Design | 3 |
| GPHD 25 | Visual Basics | 3 |
| GPHD 30 | Visual Basics II | 5 |
| PHOT 12 | Digital Photography II | 3 |
| Required Lower Division Lecture (6 Units) | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Art, Religions, and Power before 1400 | ||
| Art, Empires, and Cross-Cultural Exchange, 1400-1800 | ||
| Global Modern and Contemporary Art | ||
| Traditional Asian Art | ||
| Modern and Contemporary Asian Art | ||
| Art of the Americas | ||
| Introduction to Interior Design | ||
| Design | ||
| Survey of Photography | ||
| The Photographic Self | ||
| Required Upper Division Courses (40 Units) | ||
| GPHD 120 | Typography I | 5 |
| GPHD 125 | Graphic Design Systems I | 5 |
| GPHD 130 | Typography II | 5 |
| GPHD 135 | User Interface Design | 5 |
| GPHD 140 | User Experience Design | 5 |
| GPHD 145 | Typography II | 5 |
| GPHD 150 | Professional Practice | 5 |
| GPHD 155 | Graphic Design Systems II | 5 |
| Required Electives (6 Units) | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 1 | ||
| Ethnographic Analysis | ||
| Culture Theory | ||
| Culture Change | ||
| Beginning Drawing 1 | ||
| Intermediate Drawing | ||
| Beginning New Media Art | ||
| Advanced Drawing | ||
| Digital Printmaking | ||
| New Media: 2D Character Animation | ||
| New Media: Physical Computing | ||
| Media Communication and Society | ||
| Communication and American Culture | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science | ||
| Introduction to Internet Technologies | ||
| Introduction to Programming Logic | ||
| World Design and Visual Culture | ||
| Fieldwork in Graphic Design | ||
| Special Problems | ||
| Design Fundamentals | ||
| Beginning AutoCAD and SketchUp | ||
| Survey of Western Architecture and Interiors | ||
| American Design | ||
| Principles of House Design | ||
| Urban Design and Society 1 | ||
| Principles Of Marketing | ||
| Marketing Research and Information | ||
| Buyer Behavior | ||
| Public Relations and Ethics in Business | ||
| Advertising | ||
| Digital Photography I | ||
| Darkroom Photography | ||
| Photography, Inception to Mid-Century | ||
| Photography, a Social History | ||
| Intermediate Digital Photography | ||
| Intermediate Darkroom Photography | ||
| Total Units | 79 | |
- 1
Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units) | ||
| A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
| A3 - Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units) | ||
| B1 - Physical Science | 3 | |
| B2 - Life Forms | 3 | |
| B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) | 1 | |
| B4 - Math Concepts | 3 | |
| B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area C: Arts and Humanities (6 Units) | ||
| C1 - Arts 3 | 0 | |
| C2 - Humanities | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course 3 | 0 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area D: The Individual and Society (3-9 Units) | ||
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course 3 | 0 - 3 | |
| Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 3 | 0 - 3 | |
| Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units) | ||
| Area E Course | 3 | |
| Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units) | ||
| Area F Course | 3 | |
| Total Units | 37-43 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Required in Major; also satisfies GE.
- 3
Department offers students an "Select from the following" option:
Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (9 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive (WI) | 3 | |
| Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units) | ||
| English Composition II | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 2 | 6 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html
The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.
Graphic Design, BFA: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| DSGN 4 | Design and Thinking | 3 |
| GPHD 5 | Introduction to Graphic Design | 3 |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GPHD 20 | History Of Graphic Design | 3 |
| PHOT 12 | Digital Photography II | 3 |
| Graphic Design Lower Division Lecture 3 | 3 | |
| GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| DSGN 10 | Think Make | 4 |
| DSGN 20 | Design and Society Since 1780 | 3 |
| GPHD 25 | Visual Basics | 3 |
| ENGL 20 | College Composition II | 3 |
| GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GPHD 30 | Visual Basics II | 5 |
| Graphic Design Lower Division Lecture 3 | 3 | |
| GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 | 1 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GPHD 120 | Typography I | 5 |
| GPHD 125 | Graphic Design Systems I | 5 |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GPHD 130 | Typography II | 5 |
| GPHD 135 | User Interface Design | 5 |
| Graphic Design Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 17 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GPHD 140 | User Experience Design | 5 |
| GPHD 145 | Typography II | 5 |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences + American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GPHD 150 | Professional Practice | 5 |
| GPHD 155 | Graphic Design Systems II | 5 |
| Graphic Design Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Total Units | 127 | |
Graphic Design, BFA: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| GPHD 120 | Typography I | 5 |
| GPHD 125 | Graphic Design Systems I | 5 |
| Graphic Design Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GPHD 130 | Typography II | 5 |
| GPHD 135 | User Interface Design | 5 |
| Graphic Design Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| GPHD 140 | User Experience Design | 5 |
| GPHD 145 | Typography II | 5 |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GPHD 150 | Professional Practice | 5 |
| GPHD 155 | Graphic Design Systems II | 5 |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences + American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 17 | |
| Total Units | 66 | |
- 1.
Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.
- 2.
Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.
- 3.
Please see an academic advisor for elective options.