Overview
The Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Design & Visual Communication (DVC) offers students autonomy and agency in the face of an ever-changing cultural landscape. The study of graphic design, design methodologies, modes of production, and design histories, provides our students with the skillsets required to actively participate in visual culture, commerce, and communication.
Deeply rooted in community and focused on experimentation and collaboration, our dynamic DVC curriculum meets each student where they’re at to foster self-expression, empathy, visual literacy, strategy, and a critical approach to the creation and production of wide array of design artifacts and touch points.
The DVC program places a high degree of value on diverse, equitable, and inclusive viewpoints and approaches. Our emphasis on personal growth and an entrepreneurial mindset prepares students to make meaningful contributions to the field, challenge the status quo, and carve their own path forward.
The aDream Lab, a digital fabrication and design laboratory, offers students access to develop their work with professional-grade 3D printers, vinyl cutter, laser cutter, vacuum former, heat press, wide-format color printer, die-cutting printer, DSLR cameras, photo sweep, lighting kit, fabrication tools, and rapid prototyping supplies. All design students are expected to have their own personal computer.
Additional studio and curricular resources with the Department of Art & Design support interdisciplinary projects. This includes facilities for digital fabrication and design, motion capture, VR and AR as well as the wide range of studio disciplines within the department. In addition, students draw on the extraordinary resources of UW-Milwaukee's courses, centers, films, lectures, and galleries, and especially the extensive research and special book collections of the Golda Meir Library and the American Geographical Society Library, one of the premier collections of its kind in North America, containing over 1.5 million items supporting instruction, research, and outreach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and around the world.
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Faculty and Staff
Our inspirational faculty and staff make sure students feel welcome and empowered to think outside the box and explore all possibilities of making art at UWM. Visit the Peck School of the Arts directory to meet these artists, explore their biographies and engage with recent work.
Scholarships and Aid
Financial constraints shouldn’t hinder your artistic dreams. Our comprehensive range of scholarships and aid programs is designed to empower and support artists like you.
Study Abroad
We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate applicants must meet general University admission requirements in addition to specific program requirements found on the Peck School of the Arts apply page.
Undergraduate Advising
Academic advising is a collaborative process that empowers students to realize their maximum educational potential. Students are encouraged to visit the Peck School of the Arts Advising & Student Services page to meet with your advisor prior to each semester’s registration period. Advisors provide students with individualized appointments to assist with degree requirements, course selection, campus resources, college success strategies, graduation assessment, academic policies and more.
Laptop Requirement
Preparing for a future defined by digital technology is an important step in developing artists. Our digitally integrated curriculum helps you achieve a professional level with leading art-related software and practices.
Laptop ownership is strongly recommended for all students. However, it’s required for most majors. For more information, please visit the Peck School of the Arts admission page.
Advance to Major and Retention
Students accepted into the Art & Design program receive priority registration over non-art majors. To advance to the major students must complete the following requirements within the first 45 credits:
- Complete First Year Program courses.
- Complete general degree requirements.
- Maintain a 2.5+ cumulative GPA.
- Students pursuing a BFA in Design & Visual Communication (DVC) have additional requirements: complete ART 124 with a grade of C or better, and ART 221 and ART 223 with a grade of B- or better, and pass the DVC portfolio review.
Enrollment Management
To maintain the highest quality of service to students, Art & Design programs or studios may select their own enrollment management mechanisms. These may include portfolio review, gateway courses, registration prioritizing (ex: majors only), higher GPA for the area of concentration, or others as appropriate. Students who successfully matriculate as BFA degree candidates should familiarize themselves with area requirements and discuss them with area faculty to ensure comprehension.
Credits and Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Core | 45 | |
| First Year Program | 15 | |
| Art & Design Core | 15 | |
| Degree Requirements | 48 | |
| Total Credits | 123 | |
University Core
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements 1 | ||
| Compentencies 1 | ||
| English Parts A & B 2 | ||
| Math Parts A & B 2 | ||
| Foreign Language 2 | ||
| Distribution Requirements 1 | ||
| ARTHIST 101 | Ancient and Medieval Art and Architecture (counts as Humanities GER) | 3 |
| ARTHIST 102 | Renaissance to Modern Art and Architecture (counts as Humanities GER) | 3 |
| Social Science | 6 | |
| Natural Science (1 course with lab) | 6 | |
| Cultural Diversity 2 | ||
| Electives | ||
| General Electives outside PSOA | 12 | |
| Art & Design History | ||
| ART 124 | Design Survey | 3 |
| Art in PSOA | ||
| ART 309 | Issues in Contemporary Art: | 3 |
| Select 3 areas in PSOA outside Art & Design 3 | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
- 1
Learn more about the General Education Requirements.
- 2
Credit may be utilized in required curriculum areas.
- 3
In 3 different Art areas: Dance, Film, Music, Theatre.
First Year Program
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 cumulative GPA required: | ||
| ART 101 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART 106 | Art Survey: Creative Practice, Culture and Context | 3 |
| ART 108 | 2D Studio: Concept, Color and Composition | 3 |
| ART 109 | 3D Studio: Form, Idea and Technique | 3 |
| ART 118 | Digital Arts: Culture, Theory, Practice | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Art and Design Core
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 200-level Studio Requirements | ||
| ART 221 | Introduction to Design | 3 |
| ART 223 | Introduction to Typography | 3 |
| 200-level Studio Electives | ||
| Choose 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Moving Images and Sound in Art & Design | ||
| Introduction to Photography | ||
| Introduction to Digital Fabrication | ||
| Choose 3 credits not already taken from the following: | 3 | |
| Drawing II | ||
| Introduction to Creative Technologies: Computer Games and Interactive Art | ||
| Moving Images and Sound in Art & Design | ||
| Introduction to Painting | ||
| Introduction to Photography | ||
| Introduction to Sculpture | ||
| Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing | ||
| Introduction to Digital Fabrication | ||
| Introduction to Making for Digital Fabrication | ||
| Introduction to Printmaking & Book Arts | ||
| Critical Thinking | ||
| ART 509 | Art & Design Seminar: (OWC-B) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Design and Visual Communication Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Sequence | ||
| ART 321 | Design and Visual Communication I | 3 |
| ART 323 | Typography II | 3 |
| ART 421 | Design and Visual Communication II | 3 |
| ART 422 | Design Methodologies: Process, Communication & Theory (QL-B) | 3 |
| Required Interaction Design Course | ||
| ART 324 | Web Design | 3 |
| Interaction Design Electives | ||
| Chose 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Web Design II | ||
| Topics in Web, Interaction and Screen Design: | ||
| Required Professional Practice | ||
| Choose 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Nonprofit Information Technology | ||
| Professional Practice in Design: | ||
| Art and Design Internship | ||
| Design and Visual Communication Electives | ||
| Choose 12 credits not already taken: | 12 | |
| Web Design II | ||
| Package Design | ||
| Industrial Processes and Fabrication | ||
| Product Realization | ||
| Nonprofit Information Technology | ||
| Experimental Typography | ||
| Topics in Web, Interaction and Screen Design: | ||
| Motion Graphics | ||
| Advanced Design Workshop: | ||
| Advanced Digital Fabrication and Craft: | ||
| Professional Practice in Design: | ||
| Research in Universal Design and Fabrication | ||
| Research in Digital Fabrication and Craft: | ||
| Art and Design Internship | ||
| Intermediate Printmaking & Book Arts: (Book Arts & Letterpress or Screenprinting) | ||
| Intermediate Color Photography and Digital Imaging | ||
or ART 313 | Creative Coding: | |
or ART 327 | Digital Media Workshop: | |
or ART 357 | Intermediate Studio Lighting | |
or ART 458 | Photographic Materials and Processes | |
| Capstone Course | ||
| ART 529 | Design & Visual Communication III: Capstone & Exhibition | 3 |
| Art and Design Electives | ||
| Choose 12 credits. DVC students should consider taking any courses listed above not already taken, or courses in other studio media that augment their research interests, as part of the Art & Design Elective credits. | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
Design and Visual Communication Portfolio Review
All DVC-intended students are required to participate in the annual Portfolio Review after completing ART 124 Design Survey, ART 221 Introduction to Design and ART 223 Introduction to Typography. DVC-intended students must apply to the annual Portfolio Review, which is held at the end of every Spring semester. Students who pass the portfolio review are admitted to the Design and Visual Communication BFA program, and subsequently enroll in ART 321 Design and Visual Communication I for the following Fall semester. Students enrolled in ART 221 and ART 223 are provided the guidelines, timeline and rubric for the Portfolio Review.
Sample Plan of Study
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| (Includes OWC-A and QL-A Requirements.) Students must be aware of the prerequisites for the 200-level course they wish to take in the second semester of the First Year and enroll in the appropriate First Year Program courses in fall. | ||
| ART 101 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART 106 | Art Survey: Creative Practice, Culture and Context | 3 |
| ART 108 | 2D Studio: Concept, Color and Composition | 3 |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 109 | 3D Studio: Form, Idea and Technique | 3 |
| ART 118 | Digital Arts: Culture, Theory, Practice | 3 |
| 200-level studio in Art | 3 | |
| ARTHIST 101 | Ancient and Medieval Art and Architecture 2 | 3 |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 221 | Introduction to Design | 3 |
| 200-level studio in Art | 3 | |
| Art & Design Elective 3 | 3 | |
| ART 124 | Design Survey | 3 |
| ART 309 | Issues in Contemporary Art: (Art & Design Lecture Series) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| All DVC-intended students are required to participate in the annual Portfolio Review after completing ART 124 Design Survey, ART 221 Introduction to Design and ART 223 Introduction to Typography. DVC-intended students must apply to the annual Portfolio Review, which is held at the end of every Spring semester. Students who pass the portfolio review are admitted to the Design and Visual Communication BFA program, and subsequently enroll in ART 321 Design and Visual Communication I for the following Fall semester. Students enrolled in ART 221 and ART 223 are provided the guidelines, timeline and rubric for the Portfolio Review. | ||
| ART 223 | Introduction to Typography | 3 |
| ARTHIST 102 | Renaissance to Modern Art and Architecture 2 | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
DVC Elective 4 | ||
| Web Design | ||
| Art & Design Elective 3 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 321 | Design and Visual Communication I | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
DVC Elective 4 | ||
| Web Design | ||
| Art & Design Elective 3 | 3 | |
| ART 509 | Art & Design Seminar: | 3 |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 323 | Typography II | 3 |
| DVC Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
DVC Elective 4 | ||
Professional Practice course 5 | ||
| Topics in Web, Interaction and Screen Design: | ||
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 421 | Design and Visual Communication II | 3 |
| ART 422 | Design Methodologies: Process, Communication & Theory | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
DVC Elective 4 | ||
Professional Practice course 5 | ||
| Topics in Web, Interaction and Screen Design: | ||
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 529 | Design & Visual Communication III: Capstone & Exhibition | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
DVC Elective 4 | ||
Professional Practice course 5 | ||
| Topics in Web, Interaction and Screen Design: | ||
| DVC Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Art & Design Elective 3 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 123 | |
- 1
Consult your academic advisor in the Peck School of the Arts Student Services Office for requirements in the Core Curriculum. PSOA Arts Distribution Requirement is part of the 45-credit Core: 9 credits outside of Art & Design, in 3 of the 4 other departments in PSOA: Dance, Music, Theatre, or Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres.
- 2
Six credits (ARTHIST 101 and ARTHIST 102) count as Humanities GER.
- 3
Any Art & Design course not already taken except ART 100 and ART 107.
- 4
DVC Electives (choose 12 credits not already taken): ART 325, ART 328, ART 329, ART 378, ART 405 ART 408, ART 423, ART 424, ART 426, ART 427, ART 478, ART 524, ART 526, ART 608 (option to choose one course maximum - ART 391: Book Arts & Letterpress or ART 391: Screenprinting), (option to choose one course maximum - ART 313, ART 327, ART 350, ART 357, ART 458).
- 5
Professional Practice course selections include ART 408, ART 524, or ART 608.
Design and Visual Communication, BFA Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with the BFA in Design & Visual Communication from the Art & Design Department will be able to:
- Apply expertise in a range of design-focused software applications.
- Plan and carry out primary and secondary source research and apply research to design problems.
- Collaborate and co-create within a framework of design and related disciplinary activities.
- Engage local and regional communities and organizations in project development.
- Apply story-telling expertise.
- Apply public speaking and presentation skills.
- Create a high-quality professional portfolio.
Policies and Regulations
Academic Regulations
For information on University-wide Academic Action Policy and honors for scholarship, see Academic Policies.
Auditing Courses
No studio or performance courses may be audited.
Declaration of Submajor
In most instances, after two years of basic preparatory courses in the major, students choose an area of specialization within their respective departments, known as a submajor. Students must declare a submajor after they have accumulated 45 to 75 credits to assure completion of the appropriate curriculum requirements for graduation.
Grievance and Appeal Procedures
If you have concerns about a class or a grade, or if you’ve been dropped from a program and would like to appeal, follow the grievance procedures found under the resources section on the Peck School of the Arts Advising & Student Services page.
Independent Study
Under special conditions, juniors and seniors are permitted to take courses in independent study. For regulations on independent study, see the departmental advisor.
Program Changes
All program changes must be signed by the instructor and the Peck School of the Arts Office of Student Services. Certain other courses may also require this approval indicated in the semester's Schedule of Classes.
Second Bachelor's Degree Candidates
Students with good scholastic records who wish to earn a second bachelor's degree in the Peck School of the Arts must obtain the recommendation of the Peck School of the Arts department in which they wish to major before they can be accepted. Upon acceptance, students must earn in residence a minimum of 30 credits beyond the studies for the first degree and must satisfy all curriculum requirements.
Semester Credit Load
A full-time Peck School of the Arts student is one who takes a minimum of 12 credits per semester. Typically, Peck School of the Arts students are not permitted to carry more than 18 credits per semester. Students who have a 3.0+ cumulative GPA may, with the permission of the Peck School of the Arts Office of Student Services, carry up to 21 credits per semester.
Transfer Students
Transfer students from other universities and colleges or UWM units are accepted by the Peck School of the Arts provided they meet the UWM admissions criteria and have a 2.0+ cumulative GPA.
Honors in the Major
- Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a GPA of 3.500 or greater in the major and the academic department's recommendation.
- High Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or greater and the academic department's recommendation.
- Departmental Honors are granted to students recommended by their academic department for Honors excellence in performance not reflected in the GPA.
- Dean's Honors are granted to students with major achievements in one or more of the arts.
College of the Arts and Architecture Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.