About the major
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design (Online) at YSU:
A Comprehensive and Flexible Pathway to Professional Practice
The fully online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design at Youngstown State University is designed to equip students with the creative, technical, and conceptual skills necessary for success in the evolving field of visual communication. This program is ideal for recent high school graduates, working professionals, military personnel, and individuals balancing academic goals with personal or professional responsibilities.
Program Overview:
- Flexible Online Format: Delivered entirely online, the program allows students to complete coursework from any location, offering six start dates per year and accelerated seven-week terms to support timely degree completion.
- Career-Focused Curriculum: Students engage in over 20 design-focused courses that emphasize both foundational principles and advanced applications in areas such as branding, typography, digital imaging, layout design, and interactive media.
- Professional Skill Development: Emphasis is placed on mastering industry-standard software (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud), developing a competitive portfolio, and acquiring remote work competencies essential in today’s job market.
- Student-Centered Learning: Faculty provide individualized feedback through video critiques and in-depth analysis of student work, fostering a supportive and rigorous learning environment.
- Applied Learning: Students complete projects that reflect real-world design challenges across print, digital, and interactive platforms, preparing them for diverse roles in the creative industry.
- Global Accessibility: The program is accessible to students nationwide and internationally, including those serving in the military or residing in remote areas.
Alumni Outcomes:
Graduates of Youngstown State University’s B.F.A. programs in design have gone on to work at leading organizations such as Disney, Sherwin-Williams, and Southwest Airlines. These outcomes reflect the strength of YSU’s design education and the career readiness of its students.
Faculty Expertise and Mentorship:
Courses are taught by experienced faculty who are both educators and practicing professionals. Their mentorship ensures that students receive not only technical instruction but also guidance in conceptual development, professional practices, and career planning.
Contact information
To learn more about our degree programs, scholarships, professional development and careers, exhibitions, faculty, and students, visit Department of Art or contact us at 330.941.3627.
To schedule a personalized campus visit, contact the Cliffe College of Creative Arts Program Coordinator of Admissions and Recruitment at 330.941.2346 or sawaltman@ysu.edu.
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS | ||
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar | 1-2 |
| or YSU 1500S | Youngstown State University Success Seminar | |
| or HONR 1500 | Intro to Honors | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 | 3-4 |
| or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 with Support | |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| Any Gen Ed Math (Recommended MATH 2623) | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities | ||
| Survey of Art History 1 (*Included in major) | ||
| Any AH Gen Ed Course | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences (2 courses, 1 with lab) (7 s.h.) | 7 | |
| Social Science | 6 | |
| General Education Electives (9 s.h.) | ||
| CMST 1545 (3 s.h.) | 3 | |
| Survey of Art History: Body, Gender, and Self (*Included in major) | ||
| Any Gen Ed Course | 3 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Courses: | ||
| DSGN 1529 | Design + 2D Drawing | 3 |
| DSGN 1531 | Design + Drawing as Thinking | 3 |
| DSGN 1532 | Design + Raster Images | 3 |
| DSGN 1533 | Design + Color | 3 |
| DSGN 1534 | Design + Painting | 3 |
| Studio Courses: | ||
| DSGN 2656 | Design + Photography 1 | 3 |
| DSGN 3756 | Design + Photography 2 | 3 |
| DSGN 2663 | Design + Illustration 1 | 3 |
| DSGN 3763 | Design + Illustration 2 | 3 |
| Print Design Courses: | ||
| DSGN 2661 | Design + Print 1 | 3 |
| DSGN 3761 | Design + Print 2 | 3 |
| DSGN 4861 | Design + Publications | 3 |
| Interactive Design Courses: | ||
| DSGN 3769 | Design + UX/UI 1 | 3 |
| DSGN 4869 | Design + UX/UI 2 | 3 |
| DSGN 3765 | Design + Motion | 3 |
| Expanded Design Courses: | ||
| DSGN 2660 | Design + Applications | 3 |
| DSGN 2662 | Design + Typography 1 | 3 |
| DSGN 3762 | Design + Typography 2 | 3 |
| DSGN 3764 | Design + Typeface Creation | 3 |
| DSGN 4870 | Design + AI | 3 |
| DSGN 4864 | Design + Packaging | 3 |
| DSGN 4863 | Design + Branding | 3 |
| DSGN 4898 | Design + Senior Project | 3 |
| Capstone Course: | ||
| DSGN 4899 | Design + Senior Seminar | 1 |
| Art History Courses: | ||
| ART 1541 | Survey of Art History 1 | 3 |
| ART 1544 | Survey of Art History: Body, Gender, and Self | 3 |
| DSGN 2669 | Design + UX/UI History and Theory | 3 |
| DSGN 3783 | Design + History | 3 |
| Business Courses | ||
| BUS 1500 | Foundations of Business (Business Course) | 3 |
| MKTG 3703 | Marketing Concepts and Practice | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 120-122 | |
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | S.H. | |
| DSGN 1529 | Design + 2D Drawing | 3 |
| DSGN 1531 | Design + Drawing as Thinking | 3 |
| ENGL 1550 or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 or Writing 1 with Support | 3-4 |
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar or Youngstown State University Success Seminar or Intro to Honors | 1-2 |
| General Education - Math Requirement | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 13-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| DSGN 1532 | Design + Raster Images | 3 |
| DSGN 1533 | Design + Color | 3 |
| DSGN 1534 | Design + Painting | 3 |
| ART 1541 | Survey of Art History 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| DSGN 2660 | Design + Applications | 3 |
| DSGN 2661 | Design + Print 1 | 3 |
| DSGN 2662 | Design + Typography 1 | 3 |
| ART 1544 | Survey of Art History: Body, Gender, and Self | 3 |
| General Education Elective - Natural Science + Lab | 4 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| DSGN 2656 | Design + Photography 1 | 3 |
| DSGN 2663 | Design + Illustration 1 | 3 |
| DSGN 2669 | Design + UX/UI History and Theory | 3 |
| DSGN 3761 | Design + Print 2 | 3 |
| DSGN 3783 | Design + History | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| DSGN 3756 | Design + Photography 2 | 3 |
| DSGN 3763 | Design + Illustration 2 | 3 |
| DSGN 3764 | Design + Typeface Creation | 3 |
| DSGN 3769 | Design + UX/UI 1 | 3 |
| CMST 1545 | Communication Foundations | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| DSGN 3762 | Design + Typography 2 | 3 |
| DSGN 3765 | Design + Motion | 3 |
| DSGN 4869 | Design + UX/UI 2 | 3 |
| BUS 1500 | Foundations of Business | 3 |
| General Education Elective - Natural Science Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| DSGN 4861 | Design + Publications | 3 |
| DSGN 4863 | Design + Branding | 3 |
| DSGN 4870 | Design + AI | 3 |
| MKTG 3703 | Marketing Concepts and Practice | 3 |
| General Education Elective - Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| DSGN 4864 | Design + Packaging | 3 |
| DSGN 4898 | Design + Senior Project | 3 |
| DSGN 4899 | Design + Senior Seminar | 1 |
| General Education Elective - Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Elective - Any Gen Ed Course | 3 | |
| General Education Elective - Any Arts/Humanities Gen Ed Course | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 120-122 | |
Learning Outcomes
1) Students will be able to demonstrate their proficiency of design vocabulary.
2) Students will be able to demonstrate technical expertise appropriate to their
progression in design.
3) Students will be able to demonstrate a high level of conceptual development when
creating multifaceted Graphic Design pieces.
Faculty
Amy Copeland, M.F.A.
Assistant Professor
Bliss Hall 4089
330.941.1866
adcopeland01@ysu.edu
Sebastian Giraldo, M.F.A.
Assistant Professor
Bliss Hall 4085
330.941.3301
sgiraldo@ysu.edu
Michelle Nelson, M.F.A.
Professor
Bliss Hall 4073
330.941.1858
mnelson@ysu.edu