Graphic Design (B.F.A.)

Selective Admissions Information

• About the Program

  Welcome, and thank you for your interest in the Graphic Design program at the University of North Florida. This selective admissions program is designed to support students who are ready to grow their creative potential through in-depth study in graphic and digital design, including web, mobile and motion. Throughout the program, you will engage with hands-on learning opportunities and industry-standard tools that help prepare you for a competitive and evolving field.

  Coursework focuses on building a strong portfolio through the development of fundamental design skills, creative techniques and an understanding of the design process. Students create a range of work, including page design, web design, UX/UI, posters, packaging, corporate identity systems and time-based motion graphics. Each course emphasizes creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking, helping you develop the mindset and skills needed to succeed as a designer.

  Graphic design is a dynamic field that blends creativity, strategy and technology. In this program, you will learn to approach design with both the client and audience in mind, while strengthening your communication skills through drawing, digital development and project-based work. Areas of focus include typography, branding, packaging, motion design, UI/UX and web design.

  Graduates of this program pursue careers in areas such as web design, print layout, advertising, interface design and brand identity. It is important to note that this program does not focus on areas such as interior design, industrial design, 3D animation, character development, comics or fashion design.

  Admission reviews take place in October (approximately week 9 of the Fall term) for Spring enrollment, and in March (approximately week 9 of the Spring term) for Fall enrollment.

  *To be accepted into the Graphic Design program, students must be admitted into the University and successfully pass the specialized admissions review. All students that have taken and passed the prerequisite courses or approved equivalents and core requirements are eligible to apply. Please speak to an advisor regarding transfer credits.

Application Instructions

• How do I apply?

  Apply online at https://unf.instructure.com/enroll/NNT4YJ before the posted deadline. Students will self enroll in a Canvas course through the previous link. Answers to the review questions and portfolios will be posted here before the posted deadlines.

• How to Be Considered for Admission

  To be considered for admission into the limited access program in Graphic Design, applicants must:

  1. Be accepted to the University of North Florida
  2. Complete all prerequisites, including ART1600C Digital Imaging Methods, with a grade of C or higher (or approved equivalent), AND be enrolled in or have completed:
     • GRA2190C Graphic Design: Principles
     • GRA2160C Graphic Design: Process and Methods
     • GRA2110C Graphic Design: Creativity and Critique
     • GRA2208C Type Visualization
  3. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher

  Transfer Students

  • Must be accepted to UNF and receive an N-number before applying to the program
  • Must apply to a non-limited access major (recommended: another Fine Arts major)
  • Will have their major changed to Graphic Design upon acceptance into the program

  Additional guidance for transfer students: The department recommends completing Graphic Design prerequisite and core courses at UNF. If equivalent courses have been completed elsewhere, a grade of C or higher is required. Please work with Admissions or an academic advisor to confirm transfer credits.

• Application Review

  Faculty review each student’s submitted written component and portfolio through the Canvas course on the designated review date each term (week 9 of the semester).

  Design work and writing are evaluated as part of a comprehensive review process to determine admission into the Graphic Design program. As a limited access program, space is competitive and students are ranked based on scores from the evaluation criteria.

  Students will be notified of their admission status via email and mail within approximately one week of the review date. All committee decisions are final.

• Application Results: Approved

  Students will be notified of their admission status by email and mail prior to registration for the upcoming semester. Accepted students will be eligible to register for limited access Graphic Design courses in the following term (Fall review for Spring enrollment, Spring review for Fall enrollment).

  Advisors will be notified of all decisions, and accepted students will have their major updated in the system. Students should follow the recommended course of study provided by the department when planning their schedule.

  Please note that admission into the limited access program does not guarantee enrollment in specific courses, as availability may vary by term.

• Application Results: Denied

  Students who are not admitted may submit a revised portfolio for one additional review in a future semester. Faculty decisions for each review cycle are final, and portfolios cannot be re-evaluated after the review has concluded.

  Students are encouraged to review the department’s feedback letter for guidance on areas of improvement and may meet with a design faculty member to strengthen their portfolio before the next review.

The Portfolio

• What do I include in my portfolio?

  Portfolio Requirements

  Please create a portfolio of eight visual arts pieces for the committee to review. The portfolio must include a minimum of six graphic design works.

  Graphic Design Works (minimum of 6)

  At least six works must be graphic design-based, typically combining typography and image, and must come from course projects rather than smaller skill-building exercises completed in the following Graphic Design core prerequisite courses:

  • GRA2190C Graphic Design: Principles
  • GRA2160C Graphic Design: Process and Methods
  • GRA2208C Type Visualization
  • ART1600C Digital Imaging Methods

  Complete Process File (1 project)

  Students must also submit one complete process file for the committee to review. This will likely come from one of the six graphic design projects included in the portfolio. Upload the same process file that was submitted with the original course project. This is a separate submission requirement and should be included in addition to the portfolio itself.

  Other Works (maximum of 2)

  No more than two additional works may come from fine arts areas such as photography, illustration, painting, drawing or printmaking. Students may also submit graphic design work completed outside of the Graphic Design core prerequisite courses for these examples. A cohesive series may count as one work. Process documentation is not required for works submitted in this category.

  Do not submit examples or photographs of three-dimensional work, including sculpture, ceramics or 3-D computer rendering.

  Process

  Process slides are required for each design project. Multiple slides may be used before each final design to show progression from concept to completion. Be sure your process demonstrates all phases of the project, from early development through final execution.

  It is recommended that students include a slide introducing the project, followed by process slides and then final presentation slides. It is also recommended to indicate whether a project was revised after the original graded class submission.

  Slide List

  Include a slide list of thumbnails for all eight works on the last page of the PDF. For each project, include the project name, term and date, materials or programs used, and class name if applicable.

  Submission PDF

  Portfolios must be submitted in Canvas as a multi-page PDF document.

  • Final files should not exceed 50 MB
  • Create the document in landscape orientation
  • Saving at screen quality will help reduce file size
  • Test your file to make sure it opens correctly and includes all required information

  Presentation Tips

  • Present your work in a well-designed portfolio
  • Do not overdesign the document. Your projects should remain the main focus
  • Scale images large enough to show details clearly
  • Clean up your digital documentation before submitting
  • Use clear, high-quality images that are not pixelated
  • Scans or photos of your work, including process images, should have good lighting, be in focus, be cropped to remove distracting backgrounds and adjusted as needed for strong contrast
  • Organize and align content carefully
  • Proofread thoroughly. Typos and spelling errors suggest a lack of attention to detail
  • Provide a small amount of context for each piece, such as labels or very brief descriptions, without overcrowding the slides with text
• How Your Portfolio Will Be Evaluated
  • Creativity: Approach to design problems, concepts and ideas.
  • Exploration and Process: Level of experimentation with solutions throughout all stages of the design process, with clear visual evidence of testing.
  • Overall Design and Composition: Arrangement of visual elements that demonstrates thoughtful use of form, composition, design principles, attention to detail and typography.
  • Technical Proficiency: Ability to effectively use design tools and technology, including software, digital cameras, scanners and other relevant resources.
  • Communication in Written Form: Ability to organize and express ideas clearly, use design terminology, apply correct spelling and grammar, and fully respond to prompts while meeting minimum length requirements.

Portfolio Review Essay

• Please answer the following question

  Please respond to the following prompt:

  Essay Prompt

  Reflect on one core course project you have completed. Describe how this project contributed to your growth as a designer and impacted your learning in a positive way. What specific skills, techniques or concepts did you apply to achieve a successful outcome?

  In your response, discuss your design process, including concept development, problem-solving and the application of design principles. Explain how you incorporated feedback to refine and improve your work.

  Additionally, identify an area within the graphic design field that motivates you and explain your decision to apply to this program.

  Essay Requirements

  • Include reference imagery at the top of the page if needed
  • Write in a formal tone (not conversational)
  • Length: approximately 500 to 800 words
  • Submit as a single PDF document
  • File name format: last name, first initial, “essays,” term and year (example: smithb-essays-S28.pdf)

Transfer Students

• Admission Info

  Transfer Students

  • Must be accepted to the University of North Florida and receive an N-number before applying to the Graphic Design program
  • Apply to UNF first using a Fine Arts major (Graphic Design is a limited access program and cannot be selected directly on the application)
  • Applications submitted directly to Graphic Design will be placed on hold

  Faculty recommend that transfer students complete Graphic Design prerequisite and core courses at UNF when possible. Students should have completed GRA2190C Graphic Design: Principles or an approved equivalent with a grade of C or higher.

  Please work with Admissions or an academic advisor to review all transfer credits and ensure you are on the best path forward.

Additional Information

• Maintaining Your Status in the Program

  Students in the Limited Access Graphic Design program may be required to complete the review process again under the following circumstances:

  • If a student is away from the program for more than three consecutive terms
  • If a student receives a failing grade in a required Graphic Design core course during the term of review
  • If a student breaks continuous enrollment for two semesters or more (students must meet with faculty and an advisor to discuss re-enrollment options)

  Students who change majors or decline admission after being accepted into the Graphic Design program are no longer eligible to enroll in limited access courses.