Fulbright College Department of Art Launches New B.F.A. in Graphic Design

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Graphic design students learn about typography during assistant professor Marty Maxwell Lane's class.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Students who want to use print, web and motion design to become makers and thoughtful problem solvers now have a new degree option at the University of Arkansas – the Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design.

The new B.F.A. program, which launched fall 2016, builds on the longstanding tradition of the university’s Department of Art, which has been teaching graphic design courses and skills to studio art students for the past three decades in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

Now, students can further specialize in professional graphic design with the new degree offering an enhanced focus on human-centered and interaction design, typography, branding and design research.  

“Enhancing our graphic design program and offering it as a B.F.A. option was the natural next step to give our students the best experience possible, and to prepare them for their future creative careers,” said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College. “We’re excited the graphic design B.F.A. launched this fall, and the first class of 15 students are already thriving.”

Shields said the graphic design B.F.A. students will learn both the traditional design process, as well as the latest software techniques, and will work across a wide range of media to identify appropriate design solutions based on audience, needs and context.

Jeannie Hulen, associate professor and chair of the Department of Art, said the new B.F.A. degree includes 14 targeted courses meant to be taken in sequential order to expose students to a rigorous curriculum. Courses will cover research, theory, critical thinking, professional practices, conceptual idea-making and formal experimentation.

Assistant professor Marty Maxwell Lane, left, leads one of the new graphic design courses.

“The Department of Art is working hard to continuously make our degrees, programs and courses more competitive and comparable to the top art programs in the nation,” Hulen said. “The graphic design B.F.A. is another significant step forward for the department and signals the importance the University of Arkansas is placing on educating artists and designers.”

Hulen said previous graphic design students have gone on to successful careers with such local agencies as Saatchi & Saatchi X, Menguin, Hayseed Ventures, Aristotle Inc., DOXA and BLKBox Labs, along with companies in large markets. Many more graduates have gotten jobs as in-house designers within companies, worked for news organizations or started their own businesses.

“Creating the dedicated graphic design B.F.A. will only continue to open more options for our students and graduates,” Hulen said. “The program has already been received enthusiastically, and we cannot wait to see it grow.”

The B.F.A. courses are taught by associate professor David Charles Chioffi, associate professor Thomas Hapgood and assistant professor Marty Maxwell Lane.

Applicants interested in joining the fall 2017 graphic design B.F.A. program must apply by submitting their portfolio, transcript, application, statement and biography by Feb. 24, 2017.

For a one-on-one portfolio critique, potential applicants can also participate in Art Portfolio Day on Sat. Oct. 1, 2016. To request more information and to register visit rsvp.uark.edu.

For more information or to apply, please visit www.uarkdesign.com.

About the Department of Art: The mission of the Department of Art in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is to offer the highest quality educational, research, and service programs in the visual arts. These goals encompass the department’s professional and liberal arts programs, at both graduate and undergraduate levels, in art education, art history, graphic design, and studio art to prepare students for graduate study and meaningful employment in the art and design fields and allied professions.

About the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: The J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most academically diverse unit on campus with 19 departments and 43 academic programs and research centers. The college provides the core curriculum for all University of Arkansas students and is named for J. William Fulbright, former university president and longtime U.S. senator.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.