Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design

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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 1500Success Seminar1-2
or YSU 1500S Youngstown State University Success Seminar
or HONR 1500 Intro to Honors
General Education Requirements
ENGL 1550Writing 13-4
or ENGL 1549 Writing 1 with Support
ENGL 1551Writing 23
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 Science6
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 Course3
Major Requirements
Core Courses:
DSGN 1529Design + 2D Drawing3
DSGN 1531Design + Drawing as Thinking3
DSGN 1532Design + Raster Images3
DSGN 1533Design + Color3
DSGN 1534Design + Painting3
Studio Courses:
DSGN 2656Design + Photography 13
DSGN 3756Design + Photography 23
DSGN 2663Design + Illustration 13
DSGN 3763Design + Illustration 23
Print Design Courses:
DSGN 2661Design + Print 13
DSGN 3761Design + Print 23
DSGN 4861Design + Publications3
Interactive Design Courses:
DSGN 3769Design + UX/UI 13
DSGN 4869Design + UX/UI 23
DSGN 3765Design + Motion3
Expanded Design Courses:
DSGN 2660Design + Applications3
DSGN 2662Design + Typography 13
DSGN 3762Design + Typography 23
DSGN 3764Design + Typeface Creation3
DSGN 4870Design + AI3
DSGN 4864Design + Packaging3
DSGN 4863Design + Branding3
DSGN 4898Design + Senior Project3
Capstone Course:
DSGN 4899Design + Senior Seminar1
Art History Courses:
ART 1541Survey of Art History 13
ART 1544Survey of Art History: Body, Gender, and Self3
DSGN 2669Design + UX/UI History and Theory3
DSGN 3783Design + History3
Business Courses
BUS 1500Foundations of Business (Business Course)3
MKTG 3703Marketing Concepts and Practice3
Total Semester Hours120-122
Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallS.H.
DSGN 1529 Design + 2D Drawing 3
DSGN 1531 Design + Drawing as Thinking 3
ENGL 1550
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 Hours13-15
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 Hours15
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 Hours16
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 Hours15
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 Hours15
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 Hours15
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 Hours15
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 Hours16
 Total Semester Hours120-122

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