Graphic Design Major and Minor

First-Year students applying as Graphic Design or Studio Arts majors are encouraged to submit a portfolio of 10 original works of art as an optional component to admission.  Transfer students applying to Graphic Design are encouraged to submit a portfolio of 15 original works of art.  Transfer portfolios will aid in placement into appropriate courses. Acceptable works include, but are not limited to, 2-D and 3-D design, drawing, painting, mixed-media, sculpture, and still or animated digital representations. If you don’t have a portfolio, it doesn’t exclude you from admission to the College or the programs. Please reach out to adm@curry.edu if you have additional questions about the portfolio requirement.

Laptop Requirement for Students Majoring in Graphic Design

The College requires all students in the Graphic Design Program to have a laptop computer and a subscription to Adobe Creative Suite when they declare their major in Graphic Design. Classroom instruction, course assignments and research during and outside of class hours will require the use of a personal computer.

The Fine and Applied Arts Department uses Apple hardware and the most current software in its labs and digital facilities. To ensure compatibility between the department’s digital infrastructure and student assignments, it is highly recommended that students purchase an Apple laptop running the latest operating system. Additionally, we recommend a minimum of 32GB RAM to ensure ease when running Adobe Creative Suite. Up-to-date operating systems and software are required. If a laptop is purchased that doesn’t meet the recommended laptop specifications it may not be able to run industry software or last the length of the undergraduate program.

The department also highly recommends that all students purchase an external hard drive for additional portable storage and file back-up (1TB is optimal). Several models are available through the College Bookstore or from Apple Education. The department also recommends that students obtain AppleCare+ and a USB-C to USB Adaptor.

Required Laptop - Minimum Specifications:

• 16-inch MacBook Pro
• 2.4 GHz 8‑core 9th‑generation Intel Core i9 processor, Turbo Boost up to 5.0 GHz
• 32GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory
• AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory
• 1TB SSD storage
• 16-inch Retina display with True Tone
• Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
• Touch Bar and Touch ID
• Backlit Keyboard - US English
• Accessory Kit

Students must also obtain the Adobe Creative Suite through a monthly subscription online. Subscriptions for students are offered at a reduced fee and proof of enrollment at Curry College is required when subscribing.

Financial Aid

The purchase of the recommended model of the required laptop and the annual student subscription to Adobe Creative Suite will be included in the cost of attendance that is used to determine financial aid and loan eligibility one time during a student’s undergraduate experience at Curry College.

Technical Support

Please note that Curry College’s Information Technology Services (ITS) Department does not provide full support to student laptops. Curry ITS provides best effort support including software installs/troubleshooting, virus removal, and general use questions. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain AppleCare+ to access additional support including service, accidental damage coverage, and battery service coverage directly from Apple.

Laptop Requirement for Students Minoring in Graphic Design

All students minoring in Graphic Design are required to have a laptop that meets minimum specifications. While Apple is the industry standard in the Graphic Design field, not all industries utilize this platform. Regardless of whether or not a student utilizes an Apple or PC, those who minor in Graphic Design should consult with the Fine and Applied Arts Department to ensure that their device meets the minimum standards required to utilize Adobe Creative Suite. All students minoring in Graphic Design are required to subscribe to the Adobe Creative Suite and laptop computers must be powerful enough to support the Adobe Creative Suite.

Prerequisites:

Major Requirements:

Art History Requirements:

Other:

(If the GPA Requirement of 2.85 in major or higher is not met, a student must substitute this course for GD 4500 Internship/Professional Practice)

The Graphic Design Minor consists of four required courses and two electives.
Non-Fine & Applied Arts majors must take SA 1770 before taking any of the Graphic Design courses and one more elective - may be taken consecutively with GD 1500 Digital Essentials.

Graphic Design Minor Requirements: (12 credits):

Select two (2) of the following electives: (6 credits):

Learning Objectives:

1. To utilize the principles of organization, composition, color, hierarchy, balance, contrast, emphasis, depth, rhythm, symbolism, and craft in execution to create a visual impact.
2. To be proficient with industry standard software.
3. To be able to choose typographic solutions for a variety of applications.
4. To apply working knowledge of graphic design history and theory.
5. To generate original concepts for an intended audience while maintaining a structured approach.
6. To produce quality professional pieces while paying attention to detail by showing the initiative necessary to work successfully within the confines of any given project.
7. To extend creative inquiries (Crits).
8. To solve communication problems with a focus on positive ethical impact.
9. To work with diverse teams.
10. To embrace design as a vehicle for social change.
11. To recognize the importance of participating in events.

Graduates of the Graphic Design Program will also:

• Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for graphic design.
• Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of graphic design.
• Solve creative problems within their field of graphic design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic and conceptual knowledge.
• Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on graphic design solutions.
• Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of graphic design principles.
• Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional criteria and terminology.