Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design

Undergraduate Advising for Design

Undergraduate Admissions

Admission requirements and application processes are outlined on our department website. Specific requirements for each group are linked below:

Incoming Freshmen: http://design.ku.edu/admission-requirements

Transfer Students: http://design.ku.edu/transfer

International Students: http://design.ku.edu/international-students

Current KU Students: http://design.ku.edu/current-ku-students

Students Seeking Readmission and Non-Degree Seeking Students: https://design.ku.edu/readmits-and-nondegree-seekers

Undergraduate

Requirements for Graduation

Degrees from the Department of Design and the School of Architecture, Design and Planning are conferred on candidates who have satisfactorily completed the necessary course requirements.

Students must complete the total hours required for the degree; 45 credit hours must be in junior/senior-level courses, numbered 300 and above. At least 30 hours must be in residence to receive a degree from the department and KU. Only 3 hours of activity and/or performance work will count toward the degree.

English

At least 9 hours of English composition and literature are required of all design students, consisting of:

Some areas require additional course work in English. Students must enroll continuously in ENGL 101 or ENGL 102 , as appropriate, until completed. When the requirement is reduced, due to an ACT/SAT score or an AP exemption, students must substitute these hours in liberal arts electives.

Remedial Courses

Remedial courses listed in the catalog and Schedule of Classes are numbered below 100. Such courses include, but are not limited to, MATH 2 . If such courses are required for a student they will have to pass the course(s), however, the remedial course(s) do not count toward graduation in design and may not be counted as distribution courses.

First-Year Preparation: Basic Design Studies

A minimum of 9 hours in Basic Design Studies courses is required before a student may enter a major program in the sophomore year. The 9 hours are composed of Design Thinking and Making I and II and Drawing for Design (BDS) studios. These specified prerequisites must be completed before enrollment in advanced design studio courses.

The typical first year enrollment below should be followed for two semesters, unless specific requirements for a degree program are different (16 hours each semester):

KU Core & Liberal Arts Requirements

All design majors must take at least the following courses in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences:

Concentration-specific CLAS requirements are listed with the course work in more detail.

Programs

The Department of Design offers the B.F.A. in design with concentrations in

• Environmental Design,
• Illustration and Animation,
• Industrial Design,
• Photo Media, and
• Visual Communication Design.

All program requirements are 124 credit hours and normally can typically be completed in 8 semesters (4 years).

Concentrations

Illustration and Animation

The Illustration & Animation program prepares students to develop and refine methodologies in image making while acquiring an effective use of visual language, and problem solving skills. Technical skills and techniques, as well as a refined understanding of composition, color and value are developed through the introduction and exploration of traditional and contemporary media. Business and legal issues of the industry are addressed that prepare students for numerous professional options that include print media, book publishing, motion graphics, entertainment, gallery installation, fashion, toys and games, and surface design.

The number of students admitted in the fall is based on resources (space and number of faculty members).

First-year  Checkpoint / Entrance to the Second Year Studios

Beyond first-year studies there is a maximum of 20 seats available for degree-seeking Illustration & Animation majors each year. There are typically two students vying for every one available position. In order to arrive at an impartial means of entry, all first year students declaring Illustration & Animation as their major are ranked according to their cumulative GPA. The first 18 students on the list are allowed first opportunity to enroll in ILLU 305 (Image Making), the first of the two-part second-year foundational sequence. Enrollment for ILLU 305 is done ONLY during the Spring Advising & Enrollment period (for the following Fall term) and entry into the course is based solely on cumulative GPA standings. In order to qualify, students must have successfully completed BDS 101 and 103 (or their equivalents) and be enrolled in (or have completed) BDS 102 and ILLU 205 (or their equivalent) at the time of Spring Advising and Enrollment. Students will also enroll in VISC 201 (Visual Communication).

Note: ILLU 205 Drawing Media for Illustration should be taken in the spring semester of the freshman year.

A total of 124 credit hours is required for the degree, including 67 hours in art and design courses, as follows:

Industrial Design

Graduates of KU’s Industrial Design program are particularly attractive to potential employers because of our well rounded and rigorous curriculum. Our students find career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines including product design, furniture design, exhibit design, package design, human factors, design research and product planning. The variety of products and systems that fall within the potential scope of an industrial designer's work is extremely broad. Examples range from household appliances to aircraft interiors and from furniture to major electronics equipment, transportation vehicles, and myriad other product areas.

First-year  Checkpoint / Entrance to the Second Year Studios

Beyond first-year studies there is a maximum of 22 seats available for degree-seeking Industrial Design majors each year. There are typically two students vying for every one available position. In order to arrive at an impartial means of entry, all first year students declaring Industrial Design as their major are ranked according to their cumulative GPA. The first 20 students on the list are allowed first opportunity to enroll in INDD 284 (Intro Industrial Design Studio), the first of the two-part second-year foundational sequence. Enrollment for INDD 284 is done ONLY during the Spring Advising & Enrollment period (for the following Fall term) and entry into the course is based solely on cumulative GPA standings. In order to qualify, students must have successfully completed BDS 101 and 103 (or their equivalents) and be enrolled in (or have completed) BDS 102 and INDD 212 (or their equivalent) at the time of Spring Advising and Enrollment. 

A total of 124 hours is required for the degree, including 67 hours in design, as follows:

Photography

The Photography program at the University of Kansas is dedicated to evaluating and redefining the medium of photography. Through in-depth instruction, students develop a diverse technical skillset, becoming proficient in both analog and digital practices. The program encourages a strong work ethic, and places emphasis on visual literacy. Graduates of the Photography program at the University of Kansas leave with exceptional visual communication skills, fully prepared to successfully engage in a wide range of possible careers in lens‐based media.

The number of students admitted in the fall is based on resources (space and number of faculty members).

First-year  Checkpoint / Entrance to the Second Year Studios

Beyond first-year studies there is a maximum of 20 seats available for degree-seeking Photography majors each year. There are typically two students vying for every one available position. In order to arrive at an impartial means of entry, all first year students declaring Photography as their major are ranked according to their cumulative GPA. The first 18 students on the list are allowed first opportunity to enroll in PHMD 201 (Photography I), the first of the two-part second-year foundational sequence. Enrollment for PHMD 201 is done ONLY during the Spring Advising & Enrollment period (for the following Fall term) and entry into the course is based solely on cumulative GPA standings. In order to qualify, students must have successfully completed BDS 101 and 103 (or their equivalents) and be enrolled in (or have completed) BDS 102 and PHMD 101 (or their equivalent) at the time of Spring Advising and Enrollment.

A total of 124 hours is required for the degree, including 67 hours in Design, as follows:

Visual Communication Design

Visual Communication Designers shape the information that everybody sees, uses and experiences. The Visual Communication Design program at KU prepares students for current professional demands and provides students with the fundamental design thinking, making and process skills required to build a rewarding career and facilitate life-long learning. Career options for visual communication designers include a wide range of areas such as traditional print media, magazine and book design, corporate marketing communications, branding, packaging design, exhibition and environmental design, motion graphic design, website design, interface design and more.

The number of students admitted in the fall is based on resources (space and number of faculty members).

First-year  Checkpoint / Entrance to the Second Year Studios

Beyond first-year studies there is a maximum of 40 seats available for degree-seeking Visual Communication Design majors each year. There are typically two students vying for every one available position. In order to arrive at an impartial means of entry, all first year students declaring Visual Communication as their major are ranked according to their cumulative GPA. The first 36 students on the list are allowed first opportunity to enroll in VISC 202 (Elements of Typography) and VISC 204 (Principles of Visual Communication), the first of the two-part second-year sequence. Enrollment for VISC 202 & 204 is done ONLY during the Spring Advising & Enrollment period (for the following Fall term) and entry into the course is based solely on cumulative GPA standings. In order to qualify, students must have successfully completed BDS 101 and 103 (or their equivalents) and be enrolled in (or have completed) BDS 102 at the time of Spring Advising and Enrollment.

Visual Communication Design Track

A total of 124 credit hours is required for the degree, including 67 hours in design courses, as follows: