Art & Design (B.A.)
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Art & Design is designed to meet a variety of student needs through courses in art history, ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Through the program's flexibility and rich variety, students are encouraged to develop their skills and broaden their knowledge in courses that can lead to graduate school or a variety of careers in the visual arts and graphic design. The degree is particularly well suited for those students interested in complementing an additional major and/or minor(s). Students interested in the Arts Management option must declare a B.A. in either the Studio or Graphic Design Option.
While the Bachelor of Arts is a strong liberal arts degree that can accommodate a double major and one or more minors, students looking for a more professionally-oriented program or who have interest in graduate school in the visual arts should consider the Bachelor of Fine Arts program.
Art and Design Department Fellowships
The Art and Design Department offers five fellowships for outstanding junior and senior majors. The stipend is for one academic year and requires some service to the Art & Design Department on a weekly basis. The application process is conducted annually during the spring semester.
Use and Return of Student Artwork
Due to space limitations, student artwork left behind will be disposed of at the end of the semester in which it was completed (unless arrangements have been made between the individual instructor and the student).
Admissions Criteria
All students can be admitted directly into the Bachelor of Arts program in either the Studio Art or Graphic Design option by indicating their intention upon acceptance to Keene State College. Otherwise, students are asked to declare their major in Art & Design preferably by the first semester of the sophomore year to ensure timely completion of degree requirements.
Art & Design (BA): Graphic Design Option
Graphic designers transform communication concepts into visual language using images and typography. The Graphic Design option provides students with a foundation in the theory and practice of graphic design. Graduates from the Graphic Design option are prepared for design-related careers such as web design, advertising, illustration, publishing, animation, and more.
Art & Design (BA): Studio Art Option
The Studio Art option introduces and fosters the individual development of seven major areas of study: art history, ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Throughout introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses, a balance of theoretical and technical knowledge is emphasized. The Studio Art option is designed to enable each student to focus on one of these areas.
Arts Management Specialization
The Arts Management Specialization provides students with the skills necessary to provide quality leadership in the business aspects of arts organizations. Utilizing an interdisciplinary curricular approach, students gain a broad perspective, discipline-specific knowledge, and practical hands-on experience in arts management. Students interested in the Arts Management option must declare a B.A. in either the Studio or Graphic Design Option.
Integrative Studies Requirements
40 credits minimum
Art & Design (BA): Graphic Design Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements (52 credits) | ||
| Foundation Core | ||
| ART-101 | Foundation Experience | 4 |
| or IAART-100 | Foundations of Design | |
| IAART-110 | Introduction to Art History | 4 |
| ART-125 | Drawing I | 4 |
| or IAART-120 | Drawing I | |
| 100-level Courses | ||
| IAART-105 | Graphic Design Process | 4 |
| or ART-106 | Graphic Design Foundation | |
| ART-160 | Typographic Form & Function | 4 |
| 200-level Courses | ||
| ART-253 | Digital Imaging | 4 |
| ART-260 | Graphic Design Thinking | 4 |
| ART-264 | Web Design | 4 |
| Art Studio 200-level | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Ceramics I | ||
| Photography I | ||
| Painting I | ||
| Sculpture I | ||
| Art History Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Topics in Contemporary Art | ||
| Global Perspectives | ||
| 300-level Courses | ||
| ART-360 | Identity Design | 4 |
| ART-366 | Motion Design I | 4 |
| 400-level Courses | ||
| Select one of the following Intensive Graphic Design Studio courses: | 4 | |
| Design for Mobile Media | ||
| Graphic Design Topics | ||
| Motion Design II | ||
| Typographic Systems | ||
| Total Credits | 52 | |
Students in the Graphic Design option are encouraged to take additional 200- and 300-level Studio Art and Graphic Design courses.
Art & Design (BA): Studio Art Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements (52 credits) | ||
| Foundation Core | ||
| ART-101 | Foundation Experience | 4 |
| or IAART-100 | Foundations of Design | |
| IAART-110 | Introduction to Art History | 4 |
| ART-125 | Drawing I | 4 |
| or IAART-120 | Drawing I | |
| 200-level Courses | ||
| ART-208 | Ceramics I | 4 |
| ART-224 | Photography I | 4 |
| ART-226 | Painting I | 4 |
| ART-244 | Sculpture I | 4 |
| ART-253 | Digital Imaging | 4 |
| Art History Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Topics in Contemporary Art | ||
| Global Perspectives | ||
| 300-level Courses | ||
| ART-333 | Printmaking I | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Ceramics II | ||
| Photography II | ||
| Painting II | ||
| Drawing II | ||
| Sculpture II | ||
| 400-level Courses | ||
| ART-495 | Senior Studio/Exhibit Prac | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Ceramics III | ||
| Photography III | ||
| Painting III | ||
| Drawing III | ||
| Sculpture III | ||
| Advanced Studio Topics | ||
| Total Credits | 52 | |
It is recommended that students in the Studio Arts option take additional studio art courses at the 300- and 400-level as well as additional Art History courses.
Arts Management Specialization
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Optional Specialization (An additional 28 credits) | ||
| 100-level Courses | ||
| ISECON-104 | Intro to Macroeconomics 1 | 4 |
| MGT-140 | Quantitative Decision-Making (a grade of C or higher is required) 1 | 4 |
| 200-level Courses | ||
| MGT-215 | Accounting for Decision Making | 4 |
| 300-level Courses | ||
| IATAD-370 | Arts Mgt: Orgs & Entrprnshp 1 | 4 |
| IATAD-374 | Arts Mgt: Market Dev & Comm 1 | 4 |
| IATAD-375 | The Regional Creative Economy 1 | 4 |
| ART-497 | Graphic Design/Studio Intern | 4 |
| Total Credits | 28 | |
- 1
Indicates courses potentially eligible to satisfy Integrative Studies requirements.
Electives
Select additional credits to reach a total of 120 credits for the degree.
Degree Requirements
120 credits
40 credits at the upper-level
Upon completion of the Art and Design, Graphic Design Option, students will demonstrate proficiency with:
- Research and concepts, the ability to problem solve, think critically, and create effective visual concepts.
- Typography, a basic understanding of typography.
- Design Strength, an ability to use the elements, principles and methodologies of graphic design to produce meaningful visual messages.
- Technical Understanding, technical proficiency in the use of professional design software packages.
- Knowledge of Graphic Design, a general understanding of historical contexts of graphic design.
- Presentation, the ability to document her/his graphic design process and products in a portfolio of work.
Upon completion of the Art and Design B.A. degree, Studio Art Option, students will demonstrate proficiency with:
- Professional presentation of artwork, artwork meets professional standards and expectations.
- Skill with materials, the use of chosen media and indicates a breadth of materials experience.
- Skill with concepts, the competence and understanding of color, line, shape, form, etc. and composition.
- Creativity and originality, an unique quality with creative elements, demonstrates risk taking, imagination and innovation.
- Consistency, a cohesive and unified quality regarding technical and advanced conceptual issues.
- Artistic maturity, subject matter explored indicates artistic development appropriate to senior-level coursework.