About the Program
Art and Design Department
Upton Hall 402
(716) 878-6032
http://artdesign.buffalostate.edu/
The B.F.A. in Art and Design offers a broad selection of program concentrations for the visual arts student; ceramics, design history, digital media arts, graphic design, metals/jewelry, painting, photography and documentary studies, and product design. This 78-credit hour degree, (81 credits for graphic design concentration), prepares students for advanced studies, graduate studies, or for beginning careers as professional designers, artists, or historians.
All concentrations have the same 27 credit required foundation studies course sequence so that whichever concentration is selected, all these courses will count toward that concentration’s requirements. In addition to completing the major concentration course requirements, the remaining credits are completed in the required General Education 23 courses. To remain in, and graduate from the B.F.A. program a 2.5 GPA or higher in the major must be maintained.
For freshman, there is no entrance portfolio review for admission. Transfer students are urged to submit their portfolios the semester before transfer to facilitate placement in departmental courses and/or for possible portfolio review. For more specific information and additional program requirements please refer to each individual concentration program.
Students in the B.F.A. program will enjoy the opportunity to display their strongest work in exhibitions and during special events. The Art and Design Department reserves the right to temporarily retain students’ work for official purposes, such as exhibitions, program display, special events, and recruitment, etc.; and to use images of the students and/or their work for publicity, documentation, and recruitment.
Students are expected to assume the costs of materials used in courses. Some studio courses may have an additional charge for materials used in class. Students enrolled in a studio course are expected to work a minimum of two additional hours each week outside of class for each credit granted for that class and the hours gradually increase as the student progresses in the concentration.
Admission Requirements
Any matriculated student in good academic standing may declare this program.
Learning Outcomes
1. Aesthetics and Visual Language: Students will demonstrate a mastery of the visual language of art and design through the aesthetic application of the formal elements and relational and organizational principles of art/design.
2. Craftsmanship: Students will demonstrate a mastery of advanced skills and techniques in the use of the materials, tools, and processes necessary to produce artwork from concept to finished object.
3. Creativity: Students will demonstrate a mastery of imaginative and advanced creative problem-solving abilities.
4. Conceptual Development: Students will demonstrate a mastery of referential, ideation, and conceptual framework leading to individual expression through a cohesive body of work.
5. Historical Perspective: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the history of the chosen medium and the place of design and its related areas in the history of art and society, including contemporary perspectives.
6. Professional Practice: Students will demonstrate a sophisticated level of artistic achievement through completion of a final project and exhibition of a body of creative work and a professional portfolio.
Program Requirements
Program Requirements
General Education 23 Requirements
33 credit hours
Foundation Studies Courses - Required for all Concentrations (27 credit hours)
AAD 101 DRAWING I 3
AAD 102 INTRODUCTION TO TWO-DIMENSIONAL DESIGN 3
AAD 103 INTRODUCTION TO THREE-DIMENSIONAL DESIGN 3
AAD 104 DIGITAL PRESENTATION METHODS 3
AAD 105 INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL DESIGN AND FABRICATION 3
AAD 150 THEMES AND ISSUES IN THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS 3
AAD 251 ART HISTORY: FROM PREHISTORY TO MEDIEVAL PERIOD 3
AAD 252 ART HISTORY: FROM THE RENAISSANCE TO THE MODERN WORLD 3
AAD 470 SENIOR SEMINAR 3
or AAD 495
or HIS 400 SPECIAL PROJECT
SENIOR SEMINAR IN HISTORY
Concentrations
-Ceramics
-Graphic Design
-Metals/Jewelry
-Painting
-Photography and Documentary Studies
Art and Design (B.F.A.) - Ceramics Concentration
The B.F.A. concentration in Ceramics (CER) is a studio-intensive program of study that prepares students to produce work of professional competence focusing on mastery of relevant technical skills and individual creative expression with a strong emphasis on concept, craftsmanship, design, and aesthetics in both functional and sculptural ceramics. We offer wheel-throwing, hand-building, mold making, slip-casting, clay and glaze formulation, kiln theory, and studio practice.
For more information about the program, please visit http://artdesign.buffalostate.edu/ceramics
Ceramics Required Courses (21 credit hours)
DES 220 CERAMICS I 3
DES 320 CERAMICS II 3
DES 321 CERAMICS: JUNIOR STUDIO 3
DES 321 CERAMICS: JUNIOR STUDIO 3-12
DES 421 CERAMICS: SENIOR STUDIO 3
DES 421 CERAMICS: SENIOR STUDIO 6
Interdisciplinary Courses (21 credit hours)
DES 230 INTRODUCTION TO JEWELRY MAKING 3
DES 242 FIBERS I 3
DES 250 WOOD DESIGN I 3
DES 312 HISTORY OF CRAFT: INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION TO THE PRESENT 3
DES 338 COMPUTER THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING AND RENDERING 3
FAR 240 INTRODUCTORY SCULPTURE 3
FAR 345 FIGURE MODELING 3
Interdisciplinary Electives (9 credit hours)
Select three 3 credit hour courses from the following prefixes. Two of the three courses must be upper level.
DES
FAR
Art and Design (B.F.A.) - Graphic Design Concentration
The B.F.A. concentration in Graphic Design (GRD) is a studio-intensive program of study. This concentration offers students a specialized studio-oriented education in preparation for graduate studies, or for entry-level careers as professional designers. Students develop professional competencies with industry-grade software and hardware, image making and manipulation, typography, composition, web design, motion graphics, interactive design, and professional practices. Students complete the program with an internship working directly with experienced designers and a capstone project.
For more information about the program, please visit https://artdesign.buffalostate.edu/graphic-design
Graphic Design Required Courses (39 credit hours)
DES 270 VISUAL COMMUNICATION I 3
DES 271 LETTERING AND TYPOGRAPHY I 3
DES 307 COLOR THEORY 3
DES 314 HISTORY OF GRAPHIC DESIGN: INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION TO THE PRESENT 3
DES 370 VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS II 3
DES 374 ADVERTISING DESIGN 3-6
DES 377 COMPUTER GRAPHICS II 3
DES 378 WEB DESIGN 1 3
DES 379 MOTION DESIGN 3
DES 380 ILLUSTRATION 3
DES 382 DIGITAL 3D 1 3
DES 473 GRAPHIC DESIGN 3-9
DES 488 INTERNSHIP 1-12
Interdisciplinary Courses (6 credit hours)
FAR 220 INTRODUCTORY PHOTOGRAPHY I 3
FAR 364 ART SINCE 1940 3
Interdisciplinary Electives (9 credit hours)
Select any three 3 credit hour courses from the following prefixes. Two of the three courses must be upper level.
DES
FAR
Art and Design (B.F.A.) - Painting Concentration
The B.F.A. concentration in Painting (PTG) is a studio-intensive program of study that prepares students to produce work of professional competence focusing on mastery of both traditional and contemporary practices and technical skills as well as individual creative expression with a strong emphasis on concept, and aesthetics informed by required Art History courses and topics.
For more information about the program, please visit https://artdesign.buffalostate.edu/painting
Painting Required Courses (21 credit hours)
FAR 210 INTRODUCTORY PAINTING 3
FAR 311 INTERMEDIATE PAINTING I 3
FAR 312 INTERMEDIATE PAINTING II 3
FAR 313 ADVANCED PAINTING 3-9
FAR 313 ADVANCED PAINTING 3-9
FAR 313 ADVANCED PAINTING 3-9
FAR 410 SENIOR STUDIO IN PAINTING 3-6
Interdisciplinary Electives (21 credit hours)
DES 317 DESIGN IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY (or Art History 3XX upper-level) 3
FAR 102 DRAWING II 3
FAR 203 MODELING 3
FAR 230 INTRODUCTORY PRINTMAKING 3
FAR 240 INTRODUCTORY SCULPTURE 3
FAR 300 DRAWING III 3
FAR 400 DRAWING IV 3
Interdisciplinary Electives (9 credit hours)
Select any three 3 credit hour courses from the following prefixes. Two of the three courses must be upper level.
DES
FAR
Art and Design (B.F.A.) - Photography and Documentary Studies Concentration
The concentration in Photography and Documentary Studies (PDS) provides a foundation in darkroom and digital workflow while developing the student’s artistic voice. Exploring a range of emerging and traditional technologies, the program covers a gamut of photographic practice whose subject areas include architecture, book arts, community projects, fashion, non-silver processes, partnerships in sustainability, portraiture, photogrammetry, studio lighting, and visual storytelling. The major also connects students with internships and professional pathways, while enhancing qualifications of students who wish to pursue graduate work.
For more information about the program, please visit https://artdesign.buffalostate.edu/photography
Photography and Documentary Studies Required Courses (21 credit hours)
FAR 220 INTRODUCTORY PHOTOGRAPHY I 3
FAR 321 INTERMEDIATE PHOTOGRAPHY I 3
FAR 323 ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY 3-9
FAR 323 ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY 3-9
FAR 325 HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY 3
FAR 420 SENIOR STUDIO IN PHOTOGRAPHY 3-6
FAR 420 SENIOR STUDIO IN PHOTOGRAPHY 3-6
Interdisciplinary Courses (21 credit hours)
COM 215 INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL COMMUNICATION 3
Select one from the following:
FAR 364 ART SINCE 1940 3
or DES 317 DESIGN IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
Select one from the following:
COM 312 BASIC MEDIA PRODUCTION 3
SPC 326 FILM ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION 3
SPC 426 DOCUMENTARY FILM ANALYSIS 3
Select one from the following:
ENG 245 WRITING ABOUT THE ARTS 3
or ENG 305 CREATIVE WRITING: NARRATIVE
Select one from the following:
IDE 104 SPATIAL CONCEPTS OF INTERIOR DESIGN 3
DES 220 CERAMICS I 3
DES 250 WOOD DESIGN I 3
FAR 240 INTRODUCTORY SCULPTURE 3
GEG 309 URBAN GEOGRAPHY 3
Select two from the following:
FAR 230 INTRODUCTORY PRINTMAKING 3
DES 277 COMPUTER GRAPHICS I 3
DES 378 WEB DESIGN 1 3
DES 379 MOTION DESIGN 3
DES 382 DIGITAL 3D 1 3
Interdisciplinary Electives (9 credit hours)
Select any three 3 credit hour courses from the following prefixes. Two of the three courses must be upper level.
DES
FAR