Art and Design, B.F.A. | SUNY Buffalo State University

About the Program

Art and Design Department
Upton Hall 402
(716) 878-6032
http://artdesign.buffalostate.edu/

The B.F.A. in Art and Design offers a broad selection of program concentrations for the visual arts student; ceramics, design history, digital media arts, graphic design, metals/jewelry, painting, photography and documentary studies, and product design. This 78-credit hour degree, (81 credits for graphic design concentration), prepares students for advanced studies, graduate studies, or for beginning careers as professional designers, artists, or historians.

All concentrations have the same 27 credit required foundation studies course sequence so that whichever concentration is selected, all these courses will count toward that concentration’s requirements. In addition to completing the major concentration course requirements, the remaining credits are completed in the required General Education 23 courses. To remain in, and graduate from the B.F.A. program a 2.5 GPA or higher in the major must be maintained.

For freshman, there is no entrance portfolio review for admission. Transfer students are urged to submit their portfolios the semester before transfer to facilitate placement in departmental courses and/or for possible portfolio review. For more specific information and additional program requirements please refer to each individual concentration program.

Students in the B.F.A. program will enjoy the opportunity to display their strongest work in exhibitions and during special events. The Art and Design Department reserves the right to temporarily retain students’ work for official purposes, such as exhibitions, program display, special events, and recruitment, etc.; and to use images of the students and/or their work for publicity, documentation, and recruitment.

Students are expected to assume the costs of materials used in courses. Some studio courses may have an additional charge for materials used in class. Students enrolled in a studio course are expected to work a minimum of two additional hours each week outside of class for each credit granted for that class and the hours gradually increase as the student progresses in the concentration.

Admission Requirements

Any matriculated student in good academic standing may declare this program.

Learning Outcomes

1. Aesthetics and Visual Language: Students will demonstrate a mastery of the visual language of art and design through the aesthetic application of the formal elements and relational and organizational principles of art/design.
2. Craftsmanship: Students will demonstrate a mastery of advanced skills and techniques in the use of the materials, tools, and processes necessary to produce artwork from concept to finished object.
3. Creativity: Students will demonstrate a mastery of imaginative and advanced creative problem-solving abilities.
4. Conceptual Development: Students will demonstrate a mastery of referential, ideation, and conceptual framework leading to individual expression through a cohesive body of work.
5. Historical Perspective: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the history of the chosen medium and the place of design and its related areas in the history of art and society, including contemporary perspectives.
6. Professional Practice: Students will demonstrate a sophisticated level of artistic achievement through completion of a final project and exhibition of a body of creative work and a professional portfolio.

Program Requirements

General Education 23 Requirements (33 credit hours)

Foundation Studies Courses (27 credit hours)
AAD101 DRAWING I | 1 - 3 Credit Hours
AAD102 INTRODUCTION TO TWO-DIMENSIONAL DESIGN | 3 - Credit Hours
AAD103 INTRODUCTION TO THREE-DIMENSIONAL DESIGN | 3 - Credit Hours
AAD104 DIGITAL PRESENTATION METHODS | 3 - Credit Hours
AAD105 INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL DESIGN AND FABRICATION | 3 - Credit Hours
AAD150 THEMES AND ISSUES IN THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS | 3 - Credit Hours
AAD251 ART HISTORY: FROM PREHISTORY TO MEDIEVAL PERIOD | 3 - Credit Hours
AAD252 ART HISTORY: FROM THE RENAISSANCE TO THE MODERN WORLD | 3 - Credit Hours
AAD470 SENIOR SEMINAR | 3 - Credit Hours
OR AAD495 SPECIAL PROJECT | 1 - 3 Credit Hours
OR HIS400 SENIOR SEMINAR IN HISTORY | 3 - Credit Hours

Concentrations
-Ceramics
-Graphic Design
-Metals/Jewelry
-Painting
-Photography

Art and Design (B.F.A.) - Ceramics Concentration
The B.F.A. concentration in Ceramics (CER) is a studio-intensive program of study that prepares students to produce work of professional competence focusing on mastery of relevant technical skills and individual creative expression with a strong emphasis on concept, craftsmanship, design, and aesthetics in both functional and sculptural ceramics. We offer wheel-throwing, hand-building, mold making, slip-casting, clay and glaze formulation, kiln theory, and studio practice.
For more information about the program, please visit http://artdesign.buffalostate.edu/ceramics

Ceramics Required Courses (21 credit hours)
DES 220 CERAMICS I 3
DES 320 CERAMICS II 3
DES 321 CERAMICS: JUNIOR STUDIO 3-12
DES 321 CERAMICS: JUNIOR STUDIO 3-12
DES 421 CERAMICS: SENIOR STUDIO 3-12
DES 421 CERAMICS: SENIOR STUDIO 3-12

Interdisciplinary Courses (21 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
DES 230 INTRODUCTION TO JEWELRY MAKING 3
DES 242 FIBERS I 3
DES 250 WOOD DESIGN I 3
DES 312 HISTORY OF CRAFT: INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION TO THE PRESENT 3
DES 338 COMPUTER THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING AND RENDERING 3
FAR 240 INTRODUCTORY SCULPTURE 3
FAR 345 FIGURE MODELING 3

Interdisciplinary Electives (9 credit hours)
Select three 3 credit hour courses from the following prefixes. Two of the three courses must be upper level.
DES
FAR

Art and Design (B.F.A.) - Graphic Design Concentration
The B.F.A. concentration in Graphic Design (GRD) is a studio-intensive program of study. This concentration offers students a specialized studio-oriented education in preparation for graduate studies, or for entry-level careers as professional designers. Students develop professional competencies with industry-grade software and hardware, image making and manipulation, typography, composition, web design, motion graphics, interactive design, and professional practices. Students complete the program with an internship working directly with experienced designers and a capstone project.
For more information about the program, please visit https://artdesign.buffalostate.edu/graphic-design

Graphic Design Required Courses (39 credit hours)
DES 270 VISUAL COMMUNICATION I 3
DES 271 LETTERING AND TYPOGRAPHY I 3
DES 307 COLOR THEORY 3
DES 314 HISTORY OF GRAPHIC DESIGN: INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION TO THE PRESENT 3
DES 370 VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS II 3
DES 374 ADVERTISING DESIGN 3-6
DES 377 COMPUTER GRAPHICS II 3
DES 378 WEB DESIGN 1 3
DES 379 MOTION DESIGN 3
DES 380 ILLUSTRATION 3
DES 382 DIGITAL 3D 1 3
DES 473 GRAPHIC DESIGN 3-9
DES 488 INTERNSHIP 1-12

Interdisciplinary Electives (9 credit hours)
Select any three 3 credit hour courses from the following prefixes. Two of the three courses must be upper level.
DES
FAR

Interdisciplinary Courses (6 credit hours)
Earn at least 9 credits from the following:
FAR220 PHOTOGRAPHY I | 3 - Credit Hours
FAR363 TWENTIETH-CENTURY ART HISTORY | 3 - Credit Hours
FAR102 DRAWING II | 3 - Credit Hours
OR FAR210 INTRODUCTORY PAINTING | 3 - Credit Hours
OR DES242 FIBERS I | 3 - Credit Hours

Art and Design (B.F.A.) - Metals/Jewelry Concentration

The B.F.A. in Metals/Jewelry design (MJD) concentration is a studio-intensive program focused on the aesthetic, conceptual, and technical skills necessary to foster creativity. We oﬀer metal fabrication, soldering, jewelry scale welding, casting, wax working, mold making, stone setting, metal forming, electroforming, surface treatments and glass enameling. Through this specialized studio practice, students develop an individual style as they prepare for a career as a professional designer/artist.

For more information about the program, please visit Arts and Design website.

Metals/Jewelry Required Courses (21 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
DES230 INTRODUCTION TO JEWELRY MAKING | 3 - Credit Hours
DES330 APPLIED JEWELRY TECHNIQUES | 3 - Credit Hours
DES331 JEWELRY: JUNIOR STUDIO | 3 - 12 Credit Hours
DES336 METALSMITHING | 3 - Credit Hours
DES331 JEWELRY: JUNIOR STUDIO | 3 - 12 Credit Hours
OR DES337 METALSMITHING: JUNIOR STUDIO | 3 - 12 Credit Hours
DES431 SENIOR JEWELRY STUDIO | 3 - Credit Hours
DES431 SENIOR JEWELRY STUDIO | 3 - Credit Hours

Interdisciplinary Courses (21 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
DES220 CERAMICS I | 3 - Credit Hours
DES242 FIBERS I | 3 - Credit Hours
DES250 WOOD DESIGN I | 3 - Credit Hours
DES312 HISTORY OF CRAFT: INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION TO THE PRESENT | 3 - Credit Hours
DES338 COMPUTER THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING AND RENDERING | 3 - Credit Hours
FAR240 INTRODUCTORY SCULPTURE | 3 - Credit Hours
DES320 CERAMICS II | 3 - Credit Hours
OR DES342 FIBERS II | 3 - Credit Hours
OR DES350 WOOD DESIGN II | 3 - Credit Hours
OR DES488 INTERNSHIP | 1 - 12 Credit Hours

Interdisciplinary Electives (9 credit hours)
Select any three 3 credit hour courses from the following preﬁxes. Two of the three courses must be upper level.
DES
FAR

Art and Design (B.F.A.) - Painting Concentration
The B.F.A. concentration in Painting (PTG) is a studio-intensive program of study that prepares students to produce work of professional competence focusing on mastery of both traditional and contemporary practices and technical skills as well as individual creative expression with a strong emphasis on concept, and aesthetics informed by required Art History courses and topics.
For more information about the program, please visit https://artdesign.buffalostate.edu/painting

Painting Required Courses (21 credit hours)
FAR 210 INTRODUCTORY PAINTING 3
FAR 311 INTERMEDIATE PAINTING I 3
FAR 312 INTERMEDIATE PAINTING II 3
FAR 313 ADVANCED PAINTING 3-9
FAR 313 ADVANCED PAINTING 3-9
FAR 313 ADVANCED PAINTING 3-9
FAR 410 SENIOR STUDIO IN PAINTING 3-6

Interdisciplinary Courses (21 credit hours)
DES 317 DESIGN IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY (or Art History 3XX upper-level) 3
FAR 102 DRAWING II 3
FAR 203 MODELING 3
FAR 230 INTRODUCTORY PRINTMAKING 3
FAR 240 INTRODUCTORY SCULPTURE 3
FAR 300 DRAWING III 3
FAR 400 DRAWING IV 3

An Art History 3XX upper-level course can be used as an alternate to DES 317

Interdisciplinary Electives (9 credit hours)
Select any three 3 credit hour courses from the following prefixes. Two of the three courses must be upper level.
DES
FAR

Art and Design (B.F.A.) - Photography Concentration
Photography Required Course (21 credit hours)

The concentration in Photography and Documentary Studies (PDS) provides a foundation in darkroom and digital workflow while developing the student’s artistic voice. Exploring a range of emerging and traditional technologies, the program covers a gamut of photographic practice whose subject areas include architecture, book arts, community projects, fashion, non-silver processes, partnerships in sustainability, portraiture, photogrammetry, studio lighting, and visual storytelling. The major also connects students with internships and professional pathways, while enhancing qualifications of students who wish to pursue graduate work.
For more information about the program, please visit https://artdesign.buffalostate.edu/photography

FAR 220 INTRODUCTORY PHOTOGRAPHY I 3
FAR 321 INTERMEDIATE PHOTOGRAPHY I 3
FAR 323 ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY 3-9
FAR 323 ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY 3-9
FAR 325 HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY 3
FAR 420 SENIOR STUDIO IN PHOTOGRAPHY 3-6
FAR 420 SENIOR STUDIO IN PHOTOGRAPHY 3-6

Interdisciplinary Courses (21 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:

Complete ALL of the following Courses:
COM215 INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL COMMUNICATION | 3 - Credit Hours
FAR102 DRAWING II | 3 - Credit Hours
FAR210 INTRODUCTORY PAINTING | 3 - Credit Hours
OR FAR230 INTRODUCTORY PRINTMAKING | 3 - Credit Hours
FAR363 TWENTIETH-CENTURY ART HISTORY | 3 - Credit Hours
DES220 CERAMICS I | 3 - Credit Hours
OR DES230 INTRODUCTION TO JEWELRY MAKING | 3 - Credit Hours
OR DES242 FIBERS I | 3 - Credit Hours
OR DES250 WOOD DESIGN I | 3 - Credit Hours
OR FAR240 INTRODUCTORY SCULPTURE | 3 - Credit Hours

Select Two More Interdisciplinary Courses from the Following:
Complete at least 2 of the following Courses:
COM312 BASIC MEDIA PRODUCTION | 3 - Credit Hours
DES378 UI/UX FOR INTERFACES AND THE WEB I | 3 - Credit Hours
DES379 ANIMATION | 3 - Credit Hours
DES382 ANIMATION I | 3 - Credit Hours

Interdisciplinary Electives (9 credit hours)
Select any three credit hour courses from the following prefixes. Two of the three courses must be upper level.
DES
FAR