Advertising (BFA)

Develop the artistic and technical skills you need to enjoy a career in advertising as an art director, copywriter, or creative strategist. Work independently and collaboratively to create a dynamic portfolio.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree
Core Classes

This program is available online and on campus

School of Advertising

ADV 207

Creative Strategy Core/3

Great things happen when a strategic framework is applied to creativity. Based on current cultural and market observations, you'll develop and present strategic maps and data visualizations to connect businesses and people.

ADV 341

Midpoint Portfolio Core/3

Your portfolio is everything. You'll take the first step into creating and presenting your own portfolio website and personal branding system. You'll revisit, redo, update, revise, and add to past work to create a portfolio that reflects the skills you've gained. (This course is cross-listed with IXD 282.)

COM 102

Visual Storytelling: Editing Fundamentals for Short-Form Video Content Core/3

Editing can be a persuasive storytelling tool. Using your own original footage, you'll gain basic editing skills—including importing, exporting, audio mixing, and color correction-to increase the emotional impact and user engagement of your videos.

COM 495

Creative Futures: Portfolio and Professional Identity Core/3

Artist-entrepreneurs wanted. To increase your hire-ability, you'll develop a personal brand strategy that includes a resume, demo reel, website, social media plan, a unique logo, and a professional business name. You will also be interviewed by professional hiring managers.

FND 149

Introduction to Design Thinking Core/3

Unlock your creative potential by harnessing the power of the creative process. You will generate ideas to solve physical and conceptual design problems. Learn from faculty across different disciplines and engage with your peers to create innovative solutions through collaborations.

GR 102

Design Technologies Core/3

Gain familiarity with the technical tools of the trade. You'll study the theory and function of industry-standard computer hardware and software and learn the digital design principles professionals use to produce visual communications and digital products.

GR 122

Typography 1: Hierarchy and Form Core/3

Typography gives language a physical form. Part science and part art - good typography is a skill unique to graphic design and makes your ideas come to life. You'll learn to solve typographic design problems by focusing on letterforms, proportion, hierarchy, legibility, structure, aesthetics, and more.

GR 150

Introduction to Visual Communication Core/3

Successful visual communication unites many diverse creative professions. You'll gain hands-on interdisciplinary ideation and creative problem-solving experience by working on projects that emphasize collaboration and audience engagement.

IXD 105

Design Technology: Visual Design Tools Core/3

Take a deep dive into the skills behind industry-standard design and production: vector graphics and typography, color manipulation, finding workflow techniques, presentation and output methods, and more.

PH 103

Photography for Artists Core/3

Designed for all majors interested in photography, students will be presented an inspired approach to using photography across mediums. Topics include proper exposure, lighting, composition, and optimizing photos for a digital workflow. A smartphone or digital camera is required for this course.

Degree Requirements

Unit Requirements	Units
Core	24
Sophomore Portfolio	3
Senior Portfolio	3
Major	39
Electives	9
Liberal Arts	42
Total	120

BFA ADVERTISING DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum grade of C- in all major coursework.
Minimum 2.0 GPA and the following general education requirements:
4 Art Historical Awareness courses
1 Creative Ideation course
1 Written Communication: Critical Thinking course
1 Historical Awareness course
1 Quantitative Literacy course
1 Cultural Ideas & Influences course
1 Employment Communications and Practices course

After above general education requirements are met, take Liberal Arts electives as needed to fulfill the Liberal Arts unit requirement.

Additional Information

Liberal Arts

Program Learning Outcomes

Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Design Skills

Effectively use visual media, including freehand drawing, to convey ideas and concepts throughout the creative process.
Apply basic design principles to creative work.

Communication Skills

Create engaging narratives that demonstrate an understanding of the elements of storytelling: idea, structure, conflict, character, and imagery.
Clearly and confidently present ideas in both formal and informal group settings.
Coherently explain complex ideas in short-form, simplified writing.

Problem Solving

Apply strategic elements focused on the target customer, the product/ service, and the market.
Gather, assess, and apply relevant information, including historical research, as part of the conceptual and design process.

Conceptual Thinking

Communicate relevant objectives through the use of appropriate aesthetic choices.
Think conceptually and execute projects beyond traditional advertising media.
Generate original ideas.
Develop ideas that can be articulated within project parameters.

Professional Readiness

Present an original portfolio to acquire a job within the industry.
Articulate career goals and plan to achieve them.
Submit work according to professional presentation standards.
Collaborate with other members of a creative team.