Art: Graphic Art (BA, BFA)
Offering degree options within the Department of Art, the Graphic Art Program equips students to pursue a specialized program in the graphic arts and multimedia. Classes are available in the areas of multimedia/animation, graphic art and design, digital photography, and Web design. With a degree in Graphic Art, students learn the most current state-of-the-art computer technology, and are grounded in fundamental formal and aesthetic methodologies. Students are highly encouraged to pursue their studies in both studio and graphic arts courses, integrating their concepts across mediums. This combination allows a student to develop the most comprehensive and creative problem solving abilities.
All graphic art majors will be required to develop basic studio art skills through a structured program that presents beginning and advanced studio art classes in conjunction with their graphic art courses. This program is ideally suited for students who wish to develop practical and conceptual skills relevant to computer generated and manipulated art and electronic visual media.
The Graphic Art Program offers two distinct degree programs. The Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Art is similar in scope to the BA in Studio Art; preparing students for careers in computer-based graphic art as well as computer-based fine art with opportunities to pursue elective courses in other academic disciplines. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Art offers a more intense program in both computer-based art as well as studio art, adding 13 more units in computer and studio work. This program is uniquely suited to the needs of the fine artist, the commercial artist, and those interested in moving on towards graduate level degrees.
Combined with the University’s General Education Program and liberal arts electives, our students will have a unique sense of cultural, historical, and moral perspective. Since Dominican is located in the heart of a major center of information technology, students in the Graphic Art Program will apply classroom knowledge to real situations through mandatory internships with leading high tech companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. Finally they will hone their skills by completing a substantial capstone project that will present their senior work through various digital, Web-based, or traditional media.
All students are required to develop a personal career plan prior to graduate. To facilitate this, students are offered unique opportunities to work with local artists and art organizations through the Dominican Internship Program. This program offers a wide variety of art experiences in both the fine art and commercial art fields. In addition, professional artists are invited to campus to discuss career opportunities for art majors.
