Undergraduate Programs
Art
Art Fundamentals
Artists are imaginative, talented and creative people who communicate their ideas, thoughts and feelings through art.
Strong foundation in the visual arts prepares you to pursue one of two degrees:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (fine art, graphic design, digital imaging, photography or three-dimensional mediums)
- Bachelor of Arts (art history, art studio or art education) with three options for specialization:
- studio art
- history of art
- art education with licensure in P-12 art education
Our Faculty
- are practicing artists, designers and scholars
- exhibit works regionally and nationally each year
- are commissioned to create public art, book illustrations, commercial photography, digital imaging and other forms of art
Akron Advantage
Hands-on Experience
Experience various areas of art firsthand through our 40 studio labs:
- ceramics
- digital imaging
- sculpture
- professional and fine art photography
- drawing
- metalsmithing
- jewelry
- printmaking
- painting
- illustration
- graphic design
You will have the opportunity to exhibit work and see that of other students as well.
Real-world Experience
You are encouraged to gain practical professional experience through internships and independent study. As an intern, you will work as a professional in a studio, gallery or art department in an organization.
Art Student Organization
Interact with other art students and professionals in the field through organizations such as:
- Student Art League
Sample Curriculum
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree — Graphic Design
| First Year | Third Year | ||
| Foundation Drawing I | 3 | Intro to Professional Photography | 3 |
| Intro to Design | 3 | Web Page Design | 3 |
| English Comp I, II | 7 | Digital Imaging | 3 |
| Math | 3 | Typography 3 | 3 |
| Social Science requirement | 3 | Production 1, 2 | 6 |
| Foundation 2-D Design | 3 | History of Graphic Design | 3 |
| Foundation Life Drawing | 3 | Illustration | 3 |
| Foundation 3-D Design | 3 | Social Science requirement | 3 |
| Physical Education/Wellness |
1 | Natural Science requirements | 8 |
| Arts Orientation | 0 | Total |
35 |
| Introduction to Public Speaking or Effective Oral Communication |
3 | ||
| Total | 32 |
Fourth Year | |
| Corp Identity and Graphic Systems | 3 |
||
| Second Year | Advanced Illustration or Advanced Graphic Design |
3 | |
| Typography 1, 2 | 6 | Area Studies & Cultural Diversity | 4 |
| Intro to Photography | 3 | Humanities requirement | 3 |
| Survey Art History I, II | 8 | Graphic Design Portfolio Review | 0 |
| Humanities in Western Tradition I | 4 | Packaging Design | 3 |
| Visual Arts Awareness | 3 | Typography 4 | 3 |
| Foundation 3-D Design | 3 | Graphics Portfolio Presentations | 3 |
| Drawing Techniques | 3 | Art Studio electives | 6 |
| Foundation Review | 0 | Senior Exhibition | 0 |
| Total | 30 | Open Electives | 6 |
| Total | 31 |
For More Information:
Request information from Undergraduate Admissions
Career Opportunities
Degrees and Preparation
A degree in art prepares you to pursue a variety of career options.
- Artists are self-employed and sell their own work or work on contract
- Artists operate galleries, work in museums, teach or work as art therapists
- Graphic designers and media artists may be self-employed, work on a freelance basis, or work for:
- advertising agencies
- design firms and publishing companies
- television, motion picture, computer software, printing, publishing and public relations industries
Career Outlook
Opportunities will continue to grow for talented and creative individuals.
Center for Career Management
Creates links among students, alumni and local professionals. You will have access to:
- Career Resource Library
- co-op/internships through Career Advantage Network
- computer stations for resume writing and employment research
- UA Career Fairs
The University of Akron
302 Buchtel Common. Akron, OH 44325
Phone: 330-972-7111
Contact us
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