California Polytechnic State University

Cal Poly is a nationally ranked, four-year, comprehensive public university located in San Luis Obispo, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on California's Central Coast. It is a distinctive learning community offering academically focused students a hands-on educational experience that prepares them for today's scientific and technical world.

The Cal Poly Department of Art and Design offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with major concentrations in graphic design, photography, and studio art. We are accredited by NASAD, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, as a professional degree program. With its emphasis on solid foundations and the development of studio practice tied to a focus on conceptual abilities, Cal Poly Art and Design has built a national reputation for producing graduates with an ability to contribute and innovate in their chosen field. The quality of our students is exceptional.

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) program in Art and Design offers a major with concentrations in graphic design, photography, and studio art. The BFA in Art and Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The department has made a commitment to cultural diversity. Wherever possible, this commitment is evidenced by the inclusion of material which identifies significant multicultural influences on the content of the courses in our curriculum. Courses are available for all students to enrich their creativity, understanding, appreciation, and practical skills in art.

CONCENTRATIONS

All three concentrations support creative and aesthetic growth and require the development of technical skills as a foundation for personal direction and enrichment. Through team projects, students have the unique opportunity to experience the interaction and relationship of graphic design, photography, and studio art. A Major pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art and Design from our department requires choosing to focus on one of our three specialized areas of study:

• Graphic Design
• Photography
• Studio Art

Graphic Design Concentration

Graphic Design is a diverse and expanding profession encompassing corporate communication, editorial design, advertising, package design, electronic publishing, environmental graphics and motion graphics. Concept development and identity system development in a collaborative problem-solving environment are normal parts of the graphic design profession.

The curriculum emphasizes creative problem solving, dovetailing the development of specific technical skills with a strong basis in conceptualization. Graphic design students study a variety of subjects relevant to the field, including typography, illustration, symbology, corporate identity, design history, and computer-assisted design. Additionally, by taking advantage of course offerings in the graphic communication department, students can gain experience in print technology and a more thorough knowledge of production limitations.

The graphic design program culminates in the study of business practices and the development of a portfolio, preparing the student for transition into the profession. To enhance this transition, Cal Poly Art and Design has an active student chapter of AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) and an active field trip and on-campus lecture program featuring visiting artists and designers.

The Graphic Design concentration of the Department of Art and Design is distinguished from the Design Reproduction Technology concentration of the Graphic Communication Department. By focusing on creative problem-solving and development of design and layout skills, the Graphic Design concentration leads to positions such as graphic designer, art director and creative director for advertising agencies, design studios and corporate design departments.

The Graphic Communication Department's Design Reproduction Technology concentration focuses on the technical and electronic aspects of transforming design into suitable fashion for reproduction in print media. The concentration leads to positions such as account executive, sales representative, estimator, production coordinator, and other positions requiring a technical understanding of design preparation and reproduction.