B.S./B.A. in Art + Design - Design Studies Track

The Design Studies track is meant for students who seek to become engaged in design but do not intend to become designers (those seeking specialization and professional preparation needed for a career as a designer should consider the Graphic Design or Digital Art and Design concentrations in the BFA degree programs instead). The shorter degree track (42 required units compared with 81 for the BFA) accommodates students who wish to pursue a broader-based liberal arts degree program; the 30-plus structured elective units allow for a customized plan of study, whether applied to a second major, minor or other sequence in consultation with an adviser. The Design Studies track seeks to produce students who combine cross-disciplinary perspectives with excellent research skills, a high level of visual literacy, and the creative thinking and problem solving skills central to design. Toward that end, Design Studies is well suited for students who wish to combine study of design with a major in Mass Communication, Computer Science, Business, Electronic Media and Film, or English.

Art majors in the Design Studies track complete 42 units, including 21 units in first-level foundation courses, 12 units in second-level foundation courses and 9 units in design electives courses. 24 units of ART and ARTH courses must be completed at Towson.

Requirements for All Art + Design Majors

First-Level Foundation
ART 101DIGITAL TOOLS AND CONCEPTS3
ART 1032D PROCESS3
ART 1043D PROCESS3
ART 211DRAWING: OBSERVATION AND INVENTION3
ART 212VISUAL CONCEPTS3
ARTH 221SURVEY OF WESTERN ART I3
ARTH 222SURVEY OF WESTERN ART II3
Total Units21

Design Studies Track Requirements

Second-Level Foundation
ART 217IMAGEMAKING: DIGITAL PROCESS3
ART 219IMAGEMAKING: CONCEPT AND PRACTICE 13
or ART 220 DESIGN: CREATIVITY + PROCESS
ART 234PHOTO IMAGING - FILM3
or ART 235 PHOTO IMAGING - CREATIVE WORKFLOW
ART 317GRAPHIC DESIGN I3
Design Electives 2
Select three of the following: 9
ART 322
ANIMATION: MOTION DESIGN
ART 355
TYPOGRAPHY
ART 360
DIGITAL ART: 2D
ART 361
DIGITAL OBJECT DESIGN
ART 363
DIGITAL ART: EXPERIMENTAL
ART 365
DESIGN FOR THE WWW
ART 373
ILLUSTRATION PRINCIPLES FOR DESIGNERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
ART 377
EXHIBIT DESIGN
ART 462
DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION
ART 483
PACKAGE DESIGN
ARTH 3xx
Any 300 level Art History course
Total Units21
1

ART 219 is required for students pursing the BFA in Digital Art and Design or Illustration. ART 220 is required for students pursuing the BFA in Graphic Design.
  

2

Elective courses must be approved by the faculty adviser.

Suggested Four-Year Plan

Based on course availability and student needs and preferences, the selected sequences will probably vary from those presented below. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices.

Freshman
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
ART 1013ART 2113
ART 103 (Core 4)3ART 2123
ART 1043ART 217 or 22013
ARTH 221 (Core 5)3Core 2 (or Core 1)3
Core 1 (or Core 2)3Core 33
 15 15
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
ART 21913ART 234 or 2353
ART 3xx/4xx Any Design Elective3ART 3173
ARTH 2223ART 3xx/4xx Any Design Elective3
Core 74Core 83-4
Elective3Core 103
 16 15-16
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
ART 3xx/4xx Any Design Elective3Core 123
Core 9 (Suggested: ART 351 or ENGL 317)3Core 133
Core 113Elective3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
Core 143Core 63
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Total Units 121-122
1

ART 220 is required for students screening for the BFA in Graphic Design.
ART 217 and ART 219 are required for students screening for the BFA in Digital Art and Design or Illustration.
ART 217 and either ART 219 or ART 220 are required for students planning to graduate with a BS/BA in Design Studies.