Illustration (B.F.A.)

The B.F.A. in Illustration program is housed in the Department of Art and Design and is most suited for students who are skilled in painting and drawing and wish to pursue a career in communication arts. This rigorous program expands students' skill sets in conceptualization, visual narrative, world-building, and visual problem solving. Course sequencing prepares students for industries including publishing and pre-production development while building a professional network in both the classroom and community partners. Students will complete the program with an advanced portfolio, marketing and promotion skill sets, and a resource of networks to build a professional career as an illustrator. 
 
Students must pass a portfolio review to enter into the program, and then complete 120 credits of coursework with a minimum 2.0 overall GPA, and a minimum of 2.0 major GPA. Approximately 65% of the program is based on studies in illustration, supportive courses in art and design, and studies in related art histories. The remaining coursework is dedicated to general education topics, providing students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in their chosen field of study while also experiencing a wide array of knowledge offered by the university's diverse academic community. For more information please visit Illustration (BFA).  
 

Program Requirements Overview 

General Education Requirements16
World Languages and Cultures Requirements3-6
Major Requirements86
Free Electives15-12
Total Credits120

Major Requirements 

Core Requirements
ARFD 100Perceptual Drawing3
ARFD 101Surface3
ARFD 103Color and Light3
ARFD 124Figure Drawing3
VIST 102Visual Culture3
VIST 105Global Foundations in Art and Visual Culture3
or VIST 106 Modern Visions 1400-1945
VIST 109Special Topics in Global Art Cultures3
or ARTX 201 Culture and Appearance
Major Requirements
ARIL 101Introduction to Illustration3
ARIL 200Digital Painting 13
ARIL 225Art of the Visual Narrative3
ARIL 261Character Design for Illustrators3
ARIL 262Illustration and Motion3
ARIL 264Digital Illustration3
ARIL 300Intermediate Digital Painting Methods3
ARIL 311Illustration Studio: Cartooning3
ARIL 312Products and Zines3
ARIL 315Illustration Studio: Concepts4
ARIL 323Text and Image3
ARIL 350Professional Business Practice for Illustration3
ARIL 401Illustration Studio: Editorial3
ARIL 422Final Project I4
ARIL 430Advanced Illustration3
VIST 282History of Animation and Illustration3
VIST 306Critical Design Studies3
Major Electives
Complete four courses from the following:. Please note, some courses may have prerequisites.12
Painting
Photography
Art and Games
Fashion Illustration
Introduction to Innovation and 3D Printing
Preparing to Pitch and Launch Your Startup
Design Visualization I - Concept Sketching
Anatomical Drawing for Product Designers
Cooperative Education Experience I
Total Credits86

General Education Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.

A. New Student Seminar
Complete a 1 credit New Student Seminar course.1
C. Communication
1. Writing3
2. Literature3
3. Communication3
F. Humanities
1. Great Works and Their Influences
Global Foundations in Art and Visual Culture (Fulfilled in the major.)
Modern Visions 1400-1945
2. Philosophical and Religious Perspectives3
G. Computer Science
Digital Painting 1 (Fulfilled in the major.)
K. Social Science
1. American and European History3
Total Credits16

World Languages and Cultures Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill World Languages and Cultures categories.

World Languages
Based on placement exam, complete one or two sequential courses in one language.3-6
World Cultures
Special Topics in Global Art Cultures (Fulfilled in the major.)
Culture and Appearance
Total Credits3-6

Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion

This four-year plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their degree requirements within four years.  This plan is a recommendation and students should only use it in consultation with their academic advisor.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (A) New Student Seminar1GENERAL EDUCATION: (C2) Literature3
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C1) Writing3World Language II3
World Language I3ARFD 1003
ARFD 1013ARIL 1013
ARFD 1033VIST 105 or 1063
VIST 1023 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C3) Communication3GENERAL EDUCATION: (K1) Social Science – American and European History3
ARFD 1243ARIL 2613
ARIL 2253ARIL 2623
ARIL 2003ARIL 2643
VIST 109 or ARTX 2013VIST 2823
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ARIL 3003GENERAL EDUCATION: (F2) Humanities – Philosophical and Religious Perspectives3
ARIL 3113ARIL 3154
ARIL 3123VIST 3063
ARIL 3233Major Elective3
Major Elective3Free Elective3
 15 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ARIL 3503ARIL 4224
ARIL 4013ARIL 4303
Major Elective3Major Elective3
Free Elective3Major Elective3
Free Elective3 
 15 13
Total Credits 120