BA in Design Studies
49 units
Requirements
- Students must successfully complete the Design Portfolio Review (DPR) before progressing to the DSGN 450 Portfolio course. The review dates are announced every term and are available in the Department of Design.
- Students are advised to complete DSGN 121, DSGN 122, DSGN 123, DSGN 220, and DSGN 222 before completing the DPR requirement.
- All students must maintain at least a 2.0 grade-point average in major courses to graduate.
- All majors and minors in the Department of Design are required to have a laptop computer with access to the Adobe Creative Cloud.
Learn more about the design studies major.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Design Foundations | ||
| DSGN 115 | Using Digital Media in a Visual World 1 | 3 |
| DSGN 121 | Design Fundamentals I | 4 |
| DSGN 122 | Design Fundamentals II | 4 |
| DSGN 123 | Design Fundamentals III | 4 |
| DSGN 220 | Introduction to Print Interface | 2 |
| DSGN 222 | Introduction to Digital Interface | 2 |
| DSGN 380 | Writing 3: Visual Storytelling and Design Identity 2 | 3 |
| Design Focus | 6 | |
| Choose two of the following (the two courses not chosen for this requirement may be taken and counted toward the elective requirement): | ||
| Graphic Design I | ||
| Digital Design I | ||
| Graphic Design II | ||
| Digital Design II | ||
| Art/Design History | ||
| DSGN 258 | History of Graphic Design and Illustration | 3 |
| Choose one of the following (any of the courses not chosen for this requirement may be taken and counted toward the elective requirement): | 3 | |
| History of Ancient Art and Architecture 1 | ||
| History of Early Christian and Medieval Art and Architecture 1 | ||
| History of Renaissance to Rococo Art and Architecture 1 | ||
| Writing 3: History of Modern Art and Architecture 2 | ||
| History of Contemporary Art and Architecture 1 | ||
| Electives (see table below) | 15 | |
| Total Units | 49 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Humanities: Fine Arts requirement.
- 2
Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.
Electives
Choose 15 units from the following:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Design Courses | ||
| Digital Imaging | ||
| Graphic Design III | ||
| Multimedia I | ||
| Applied Design 1 | ||
| Graphic Design Processes | ||
| Portfolio 2 | ||
| Design Internship | ||
| Graphic Design IV | ||
| Special Topics in Design | ||
| Art Courses | ||
| Printmaking: Serigraph | ||
| Two-Dimensional Design | ||
| Three-Dimensional Design | ||
| Drawing I 3 | ||
| Painting I | ||
| Photography I 3 | ||
| Printmaking: Relief | ||
| Figurative Lab | ||
| Drawing and Painting II | ||
| Photography II | ||
| Illustration | ||
| History of Ancient Art and Architecture 3 | ||
| Writing 3: History of Modern Art and Architecture 4 | ||
| History of Contemporary Art and Architecture 3 | ||
| Women In Art | ||
| Photography III | ||
| History of Early Christian and Medieval Art and Architecture 3 | ||
| History of Renaissance to Rococo Art and Architecture 3 | ||
| Photography IV | ||
| Advanced Photography Studio | ||
or ART 466 | Commercial Photography | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.
- 2
Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.
- 3
Meets the General Education Humanities: Fine Arts requirement.
- 4
Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.
Recommended General Education Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Intellectual and Practical Skills | ||
| GE 100 | First-Year Seminar | 3 |
| WRIT 110 | Writing 1: The Art and Craft of Writing | 3 |
| Writing 2 | 3 | |
| Writing 2: Writing for Christian Practice | ||
| Writing 2: Writing in the Humanities | ||
| Writing 2: Film Analysis and Criticism | ||
| Writing 2: Writing for Visual Thinkers | ||
| Writing 3 | 3 | |
| Writing 3: Visual Storytelling and Design Identity | ||
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Public Communication | ||
| Physical Education | 1 | |
PE 1XX: Fitness for Life | ||
| Quantitative Literacy | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Mathematics in Society | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World | ||
| Humanities: Fine Arts | 3 | |
| History of Early Christian and Medieval Art and Architecture | ||
| History of Renaissance to Rococo Art and Architecture | ||
| Using Digital Media in a Visual World | ||
| Humanities: History | 3 | |
| United States History Since 1877 | ||
| Humanities: Literature | 3 | |
| Studies in Literature | ||
| Social Sciences | 3 | |
| General Psychology | ||
| Human Growth and Development | ||
| Natural Sciences w/lab | 4 | |
| Biblical, Theological, and Philosophical Formation | ||
| MIN 108 | Christian Life, Faith, and Ministry | 3 |
| UBBL 100 | Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy | 3 |
| UBBL 230 | Luke/Acts | 3 |
| PHIL 100 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| Upper-Division Bible | 3 | |
| Theology | 3 | |
| Personal and Social Responsibility | ||
| Civic Engagement | 3 | |
| Intercultural Competence | 3 | |
| Integrative and Applied Learning | 3 | |
| DSGN 450 | Portfolio | 3 |
| Foreign Language | ||
| Proficiency requirement may be met by APU proficiency test; an SAT, AP, CLEP, or FLATS test score; or completion of an APU language course numbered 102 or higher. | ||
| Available through APU study away programs: ECU (Ecuador) or PMB (Pietermaritzburg, South Africa). See full program options in the General Education and Study Away sections of this catalog. | ||
| Total Units | 65 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:- General Knowledge and Essential Skills: Design work that demonstrates fluency with visual vocabulary, principles, composition, and excellence in craft and technical skills, developed with familiarity with professional standards, contemporary issues, and technological developments in design.
- Inquiry, Research, and Critical Thinking: Construct innovative design solutions that result in measurable outcomes, through research, conceptualization, and synthesis of information, and using narrative devices and visual metaphor.
- Visual and Written Articulation: Communicate effectively through written and oral presentations that demonstrate proficiency in the aesthetic, practical, and technical aspects of ideation, production, and criticism of design solutions.
- Cultural Literacy and Sensitivity: Articulate, critique, and apply the historic, social, and theoretical contexts of visual communication by demonstrating knowledge and sensitivity towards diverse audiences and points of view.
- Faith Integration: Demonstrate a sense of responsibility and ethical awareness as they evaluate design and developments in the field of design in light of a Christian worldview.