Requirements
As an inherently interdisciplinary practice, graphic design plays an important role at every level of contemporary culture. Graphic design courses deliver skills and expertise that are in demand for all graphic design and related communications fields. Students develop abilities to think critically while working seamlessly across disciplines. In current and future iterations of the field, graphic designers must function as the “fusion” between art, business, engineering, research, and science.
Graduates of the Graphic Design named option programs will have experienced a range of forms and media that provide professional preparation, as well as the development of unique intellectual and visual voice. Graduating students will also possess the flexibility to adapt to a changing, unpredictable world where the methods of communication will continuously evolve and expand.
The named option requirements listed here are components of the BFA - Art degree requirements.
Aesthetics Requirements - Graphic Design Option
The BFA Graphic Design option program requires a total of 18 aesthetics credits, including four required courses. The remaining credits will be met by selecting from a list of aesthetics electives. Additional aesthetics courses may be approved by the art department advisor.
Required Aesthetics Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 108 | Foundations of Contemporary Art (component of the Foundations Program) | 3 |
| ART 208 | Current Directions in Art (component of the Foundations Program) | 3 |
| ART 438 | History of Graphic Design and Typography | 3 |
| Select one additional courses from the following: | 4 | |
| History of Western Art I: From Pyramids to Cathedrals | ||
| History of Western Art II: From Renaissance to Contemporary | ||
| Global Arts | ||
Aesthetics Electives
Select from the following to complete the required 18 credits. Liberal studies coursework in fine arts and literature can also double count as aesthetics electives.
Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICAN/FOLKLORE 210 | The African Storyteller | 3 |
| AFRICAN/AFROAMER/ANTHRO/GEOG/HISTORY/POLI SCI/SOC 277 | Africa: An Introductory Survey | 4 |
| AFRICAN/ASIAN/RELIG ST 370 | Islam: Religion and Culture | 4 |
| AFROAMER 151 | Introduction to Contemporary Afro-American Society | 3 |
| AFROAMER 155 | They: Race in American Literature | 3 |
| AFROAMER/GEN&WS 222 | Introduction to Black Women Writers | 3 |
| AFROAMER 231 | Introduction to Afro-American History | 3 |
| AFROAMER/ART HIST 241 | Introduction to African Art and Architecture | 3 |
| AFROAMER/ART HIST 242 | Introduction to Afro-American Art | 3 |
| AFROAMER/ANTHRO/C&E SOC/GEOG/HISTORY/LACIS/POLI SCI/SOC/SPANISH 260 | Latin America: An Introduction | 3-4 |
| AFROAMER/GEN&WS 267 | Artistic/Cultural Images of Black Women | 3 |
| AFROAMER/AFRICAN/ANTHRO/GEOG/HISTORY/POLI SCI/SOC 277 | Africa: An Introductory Survey | 4 |
| AFROAMER/GEN&WS 323 | Gender, Race and Class: Women in U.S. History | 3 |
| AFROAMER/HIST SCI/MED HIST 523 | Race, American Medicine and Public Health | 3 |
| AFROAMER 631 | Colloquium in Afro-American History | 3 |
| AFROAMER/ENGL 672 | Selected Topics in Afro-American Literature | 3 |
| AFROAMER 673 | Selected Topics in Afro-American Society | 3 |
| ANTHRO 102 | Archaeology and the Prehistoric World | 3 |
| ANTHRO 104 | Cultural Anthropology and Human Diversity | 3 |
| ANTHRO/AFROAMER/C&E SOC/GEOG/HISTORY/LACIS/POLI SCI/SOC/SPANISH 260 | Latin America: An Introduction | 3-4 |
| ANTHRO/AFRICAN/AFROAMER/GEOG/HISTORY/POLI SCI/SOC 277 | Africa: An Introductory Survey | 4 |
| ANTHRO 300 | Cultural Anthropology: Theory and Ethnography | 3 |
| ANTHRO/AMER IND 314 | Indians of North America | 3 |
| ANTHRO 321 | The Emergence of Human Culture | 3 |
| ANTHRO 391 | Bones for the Archaeologist | 3 |
| ANTHRO 424 | Historical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO/LINGUIS 430 | Language and Culture | 3-4 |
| ART 236 | Bascom Course | 3 |
| All Art History courses | ||
| ASIAN AM 101 | Introduction to Asian American Studies | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/SOC 220 | Ethnic Movements in the United States | 3-4 |
| ASIAN AM/ENGL 270 | A Survey of Asian American Literature | 3 |
| CLASSICS 322 | The Romans | 3 |
| COM ARTS 250 | Survey of Contemporary Media | 3 |
| COM ARTS 260 | Communication and Human Behavior | 3 |
| COM ARTS 350 | Introduction to Film | 3 |
| COM ARTS 351 | Television Industries | 3 |
| COM ARTS 352 | Film History to 1960 | 3 |
| COM ARTS 354 | Film Genres | 3 |
| COM ARTS 355 | Introduction to Media Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 357 | History of the Animated Film | 3 |
| COM ARTS 358 | History of Documentary Film | 3 |
| COM ARTS 450 | Cultural History of Broadcasting | 3 |
| COM ARTS 454 | Critical Film Analysis | 3 |
| COMP LIT 201 | Introduction to Pre-Modern Literatures/Impact on the Modern World | 3 |
| COMP LIT 202 | Introduction to Modern and Contemporary Literature | 3 |
| COMP LIT 203 | Introduction to Cross-Cultural Literary Forms | 3 |
| COMP LIT 990 | Research and Thesis | 1-12 |
| DANCE 255 | Movement Composition for the Performing and Visual Arts | 2 |
| DANCE 265 | Dance History I: Dance in the Modern Era | 3 |
| ENGL 207 | Introduction to Creative Writing: Fiction and Poetry Workshop | 3 |
| ENGL 236 | Bascom Course | 3 |
| ENGL/ASIAN AM 270 | A Survey of Asian American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL/HISTORY/RELIG ST 360 | The Anglo-Saxons | 3 |
| ENGL 417 | History of the English Language | 3 |
| DS 221 | Person and Environment Interactions | 3 |
| DS 355 | History of Fashion, 1400-Present | 3 |
| DS 421 | History of Architecture and Interiors I: Antiquity through 18th Century | 3 |
| DS 422 | History of Architecture & Interiors II: 19th and 20th Centuries | 3 |
| FOLKLORE 100 | Introduction to Folklore | 3 |
| FOLKLORE/MUSIC 103 | Introduction to Music Cultures of the World | 3 |
| FOLKLORE/AFRICAN 210 | The African Storyteller | 3 |
| FOLKLORE 220 | The Folk Tale | 3 |
| FOLKLORE 230 | Introduction to American Folklore | 3 |
| FOLKLORE 320 | Folklore of Wisconsin | 3 |
| FOLKLORE/MEDIEVAL/RELIG ST/SCAND ST 342 | Nordic Mythology | 3 |
| FOLKLORE/SLAVIC 444 | Slavic and East European Folklore | 3 |
| FOLKLORE 460 | Folk Epics | 3 |
| GEN&WS 101 | Gender, Women, and Cultural Representation | 3 |
| GEN&WS 102 | Gender, Women, and Society in Global Perspective | 3 |
| GEN&WS/AFROAMER 222 | Introduction to Black Women Writers | 3 |
| HISTORY 101 | Amer Hist to the Civil War Era, the Origin & Growth of the U S | 4 |
| HISTORY 102 | American History, Civil War Era to the Present | 4 |
| HISTORY/CLASSICS 110 | The Ancient Mediterranean | 4 |
| HISTORY 115 | Medieval Europe 410-1500 | 4 |
| HISTORY 119 | Europe and the World, 1400-1815 | 4 |
| HISTORY 120 | Europe and the Modern World 1815 to the Present | 4 |
| HISTORY 142 | History of South Asia to the Present | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 200 | Historical Studies | 3 |
| HISTORY 201 | The Historian's Craft | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/INTL ST/LACIS 242 | Modern Latin America | 4 |
| HISTORY/ASIAN/GEOG/POLI SCI/SOC 244 | Introduction to Southeast Asia: Vietnam to the Philippines | 4 |
| HISTORY/GEOG/POLI SCI/SLAVIC 253 | Russia: An Interdisciplinary Survey | 4 |
| HISTORY/AFROAMER/ANTHRO/C&E SOC/GEOG/LACIS/POLI SCI/SOC/SPANISH 260 | Latin America: An Introduction | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/AFRICAN/AFROAMER/ANTHRO/GEOG/POLI SCI/SOC 277 | Africa: An Introductory Survey | 4 |
| HISTORY 302 | History of American Thought, 1859 to the Present | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 303 | A History of Greek Civilization | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/MEDIEVAL/RELIG ST 309 | The Crusades: Christianity and Islam | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 336 | Chinese Economic and Business History: From Silk to iPhones | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/ASIAN 341 | History of Modern China, 1800-1949 | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 344 | The Age of the American Revolution, 1763-1789 | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 351 | Seventeenth-Century Europe | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/GEN&WS 353 | Women and Gender in the U.S. to 1870 | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 359 | History of Europe Since 1945 | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 361 | The Emergence of Mod Britain: England 1485-1660 | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/ED POL 412 | History of American Education | 3 |
| HISTORY 418 | History of Russia | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 425 | History of Poland and the Baltic Area | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 434 | American Foreign Relations, 1901 to the Present | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/CHICLA 435 | Colony, Nation, and Minority: The Puerto Ricans' World | 3 |
| HISTORY/ECON 466 | The American Economy Since 1865 | 3-4 |
| HISTORY 500 | Reading Seminar in History | 3 |
| HISTORY/HIST SCI/MED HIST 508 | Health, Disease and Healing II | 3-4 |
| HISTORY/JOURN 560 | History of U.S. Media | 4 |
| HISTORY 600 | Advanced Seminar in History | 3 |
| HISTORY 680 | Honors Thesis Colloquium | 2 |
| HISTORY 681 | Senior Honors Thesis | 1-3 |
| HISTORY 682 | Senior Honors Thesis | 1-3 |
| HISTORY 690 | Thesis Colloquium | 2 |
| HISTORY 691 | Senior Thesis | 1-3 |
| HISTORY 692 | Senior Thesis | 1-3 |
| ILS 201 | Western Culture: Science, Technology, Philosophy I | 3 |
| ILS 202 | Western Culture: Science, Technology, Philosophy II | 3 |
| ILS 204 | Western Culture: Literature and the Arts II | 3-4 |
| ILS 205 | Western Culture: Political, Economic, and Social Thought I | 3 |
| ILS 206 | Western Culture: Political, Economic, and Social Thought II | 3 |
| ILS 251 | Contemporary Physical Sciences | 3 |
| LINGUIS 101 | Human Language | 3 |
| LITTRANS 202 | Survey of 19th and 20th Century Russian Literature in Translation II | 3 |
| LITTRANS/ENGL 223 | Vladimir Nabokov: Russian and American Writings | 3 |
| LITTRANS 234 | Soviet Life and Culture Through Literature and Art (from 1917) | 3-4 |
| LITTRANS 236 | Bascom Course-In Translation | 3 |
| LITTRANS 240 | Soviet Literature in Translation | 3-4 |
| LITTRANS/MEDIEVAL/RELIG ST 253 | Of Demons and Angels. Dante's Divine Comedy | 3 |
| LITTRANS 262 | 3 | |
| LITTRANS 264 | Survey of Japanese Literature in Translation | 3 |
| LITTRANS 274 | In Translation: Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature-the 20th Century | 3-4 |
| LITTRANS 275 | In Translation: The Tales of Hans Christian Andersen | 3-4 |
| LITTRANS/GERMAN 276 | Special Topics in German and World Literature/s | 3 |
| LITTRANS/GERMAN/JEWISH 279 | Yiddish Literature and Culture in America | 3 |
| LITTRANS/THEATRE 335 | In Translation: The Drama of Henrik Ibsen | 3-4 |
| LITTRANS 410 | In Translation: Special Topics in Italian Literature | 3 |
| LITTRANS 473 | Polish Literature (in Translation) since 1863 | 3 |
| JEWISH/GERMAN/LITTRANS 279 | Yiddish Literature and Culture in America | 3 |
| JEWISH/HEBR-MOD 301 | Introduction to Hebrew Literature | 3 |
| JOURN 201 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 4 |
| JOURN/HISTORY 560 | History of U.S. Media | 4 |
| JOURN 561 | Mass Communication and Society | 4 |
| MEDIEVAL/HISTORY/RELIG ST 309 | The Crusades: Christianity and Islam | 3-4 |
| MEDIEVAL/HIST SCI 322 | Ancient and Medieval Science | 3 |
| MEDIEVAL/SCAND ST 408 | Intermediate Old Norse | 3 |
| MEDIEVAL/GERMAN 651 | Introduction to Middle High German | 3 |
| MUSIC 101 | The Musical Experience | 3 |
| MUSIC/FOLKLORE 103 | Introduction to Music Cultures of the World | 3 |
| MUSIC 105 | Storytelling on Stage: Introduction to Musical Theater and Opera | 3 |
| MUSIC 106 | The Symphony | 3 |
| MUSIC 113 | Music in Performance | 1 |
| MUSIC 211 | Survey of the History of Western Music | 3 |
| PHILOS 101 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3-4 |
| PHILOS 201 | Introduction to Philosophy for Juniors and Seniors | 3-4 |
| PHILOS 341 | Contemporary Moral Issues | 3-4 |
| PHILOS 430 | History of Ancient Philosophy | 3-4 |
| PHILOS 432 | History of Modern Philosophy | 3-4 |
| PHILOS 553 | Aesthetics | 3 |
| PHYSICS 109 | Physics in the Arts | 3 |
| RELIG ST 361 | Early Christian Literature: Pauline Christianity | 3 |
| RELIG ST/AFRICAN/ASIAN 370 | Islam: Religion and Culture | 4 |
| RELIG ST/ASIAN 444 | Introduction to Sufism (Islamic Mysticism) | 3 |
| SOC 125 | American Society: How It Really Works | 3-4 |
| THEATRE 327 | History of Costume for the Stage | 3 |
Major Requirements - Graphic Design Option
Complete a minimum of 72 studio credits, including the specific coursework below. The BFA degree requires 126 credits. At least 36 credits of major studio coursework be completed in residence at UW–Madison.
Art and BFA degree students have priority access to studio courses. Note: Some courses are offered for 3 or 4 credits; it is preferred that the course be taken for 4 credits.
Required Studio Foundation Courses - Graphic Design Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 102 | Two-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART 104 | Three-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART 107 | Introduction to Digital Forms | 3 |
| ART 212 | Drawing Methods & Concepts | 3 |
Required Studio Breadth Courses - Graphic Design Option
Complete one course in each of the Graphic Design, 2D, 3D, and 4D areas. Students will also take ART 508 at least once and complete a 500-level or 600-level art studio course in graphic design and also in another discipline.
Graphic Design
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 346 | Basic Graphic Design | 4 |
2D Studio
Select one of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 222 | Introduction to Painting | 3-4 |
| ART 232 | Life Drawing I | 4 |
| ART 242 | Watercolor I | 3-4 |
| ART 302 | Color | 4 |
| ART 312 | Intermediate Drawing I | 3-4 |
3D Studio
Select one of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 214 | Sculpture I | 4 |
| ART 224 | Ceramics I | 4 |
| ART 244 | Art Metal I | 3-4 |
| ART 334 | Wood Working | 3-4 |
| ART 343 | Metal Fabrication and Welding in Sculpture | 3-4 |
| ART 354 | Glassworking | 4 |
| ART 454 | Neon: Light as Sculpture | 4 |
4D Studio
Select one of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 309 | Digital Art and Code | 4 |
| ART 318 | Introduction to Video, Performance & Installation Art | 4 |
| ART 338 | Service Learning in Art | 2 |
| ART 409 | Digital Fabrication Studio | 4 |
| ART 428 | Digital Imaging Studio | 4 |
| ART 429 | 3D Digital Studio I | 4 |
| ART 470 | Special Topics in 4D Art | 3-4 |
| ART 521 | Installations and Environments | 4 |
| ART 531 | Screen Performance | 3-4 |
Visiting Artist Lecture Series - Graphic Design Option
Complete the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 508 | Colloquium in Art (Students are encouraged to enroll in this visiting artist lecture series multiple times) | 1 |
Additional Studios - Graphic Design Option
Complete at least 20 studio credits of graphic design coursework, to include at least one 500 or 600 level course, from the following list:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 333 | Intro to Responsive Web Design | 4 |
| ART 356 | Coding for Graphic Design | 4 |
| ART 458 | Graphic Design for Branding and Identity | 4 |
| ART 463 | Information Graphics | 4 |
| ART 465 | Graphic Design for Packaging | 4 |
| ART 467 | Graphic Design for Posters | 4 |
| ART 525 | Advanced Typography | 4 |
| ART 546 | Graphic Design for Publications | 4 |
| ART 556 | Graphic Design for Interactive Media | 4 |
| ART 558 | Product Development for Graphic Design | 4 |
| ART 560 | Graphic Design Senior Thesis Project and Exhibition | 4 |
| ART 563 | Graphic Design for Games | 4 |
| ART 564 | Graphic Design for Accessibility | 4 |
| ART 565 | Typeface Design | 4 |
| ART 568 | Motion Typography | 4 |
| ART 575 | User Experience for Graphic Design | 4 |
| ART 656 | Design Portfolio and Professional Practice | 4 |
| ART 663 | Graphic Design Practicum | 2 |
Advanced Level Course in a Second Discipline
BFA-Art Graphic Design option students must plan for and complete an advanced-level (500-600) studio course in a secondary discipline of their choice. Common selections are in digital media, drawing/painting, video, glass, printmaking, and photography.
Elective Studio Courses
Select additional elective studio courses to reach the minimum of 72 credits.
GPA and other Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements
Requirements are based on UW–Madison coursework.
- 2.5 minimum cumulative grade point average. This may be modified by the Last 60 Credits Rule.
- Cumulative major grade point average: 3.0 cumulative grade point average in all major studio coursework.
- Upper-level major coursework: 3.0 cumulative grade point average in all upper-level major coursework (Art courses numbered 214 and above, excluding ART 236 and ART 338).
- Major Residency: Must complete at least 36 credits of major coursework in the UW-Madison Art Department. All graphic design coursework must be completed in residence.
- Senior Residency: Degree candidates must complete their last 30 credits in residence on the UW–Madison campus, excluding retroactive credits and credits granted by examination.
- Total Credits: A minimum of 126 credits must be completed to earn the BFA degree.
Degree Audit (DARS)
UW–Madison uses “DARS” to document a student's progress toward the completion of their degree, including any additional majors and certificates. A DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System) report shows all the requirements for completing a degree and, against courses that are planned or completed, shows the requirements that have been met, and those that are unmet. A report can offer suggestions about courses that may be taken to meet specific requirements and can assist in the academic planning and enrollment process. Students can access a DARS report in the Course Search & Enroll app or Student Center via My UW.
DARS also has a "what-if" function. This feature makes it possible to request a DARS report as if pursuing another program, major, or certificate. It is an excellent tool if considering a new or additional area of study. School of Education students in a pre-professional classification such as Pre-Elementary (PRE) or Pre-Kinesiology should request a "what if" DARS report of their professional program of interest.
More information on how to request a DARS report is available on the Office of the Registrar’s website.
DARS is not intended to replace student contact with academic advisors. It creates more time in an advising appointment to discuss course options, research opportunities, graduate school, or issues of personal interest or concern to students.
DARS is used as the document of record for degree program, major, and certificate completion in the School of Education.
Four-Year Plan
Bachelor of Fine Arts: Art - Graphic Design Named Option
Sample Four-Year Plan
This four-year sample graduation plan is designed to guide your course selection throughout your academic career; it does not establish a contractual agreement. Use it along with your DARS report, the Guide, and the Course Search and Enroll app to create a four-year plan reflecting your placement scores, incoming credits, and individual interests. Consult with your academic advisor(s) to develop a personalized plan of study and refer to the Guide for a complete list of requirements. You will likely revise your plan several times during your academic career here, based on your activities and changing academic interests.
A minimum of 126 credits are required. Six credits of liberal studies course work must be aesthetics-related and will count toward both liberal studies and aesthetics requirements.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communication A (fall or spring) | 3 | Communication A (fall or spring) | 3 |
| ART 108 | 3 | ART 208 | 3 |
| ART 102 | 3 | ART 104 | 3 |
| ART 212 | 3 | ART 107 | 3 |
| ART 508 | 1 | Additional Studio Elective (ART 508 recommended) | 1 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 2-5 | Liberal Studies course work | 2-5 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ART 438 (Aesthetic) | 3 | Aesthetic Elective | 3-4 |
| ART 346 | 4 | Art Studio Breadth course from 2D, 3D, or 4D categories | 4 |
| Art Studio Breadth course from 2D, 3D, or 4D categories | 4 | Graphic Design Studio course | 4 |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | 3 | Communication B | 3 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 2-3 | ||
| 14 | 18 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BFA Application | Graphic Design Studio Elective | 4 | |
| Graphic Design Studio Elective | 4 | Art or Design Studio Elective | 4 |
| Art or Design Studio Electives | 8 | Quantitative Reasoning B | 3 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 4 | Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 3 | ||
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Graphic Design Studio Elective | 4 | Capstone Professional Practice Course | 2 |
| Area 2 Advanced Studio Elective, Intermediaate Level | 4 | Area 2 Advanced Studio Elective | 4 |
| Art or Design Studio Elective course work | 4 | Advanced Graphic Design Studio Elective | 4 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 4 | Liberal Studies course work | 5 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 126 | |||