Graphic Design and Digital Media limited access information
Review dates for the 2021–2022 academic year
FALL 2021: October 29, 2021
SPRING 2022: March 4, 2022
You must be formally accepted to the University before you can apply to the Graphic Design and Digital Media limited access program
Welcome and thank you for your interest in The Graphic Design + Digital Media program at the University of North Florida. This is a limited access program designed to offer the student an in depth study of the field of graphic design. Students will be exposed to unique learning opportunities and industry standard software packages that will provide them with a competitive edge when entering the workforce or further education pursuits.
Course work will focus on the students acquiring several portfolio building pieces through the development of fundamental skills and techniques and an understanding of the creative process. The work will consist of, but will not be limited to: page design, web design, posters, packaging, corporate identification systems and time-based motion graphics. The development of problem-solving skills and critical thinking will be stressed in all aspects of the program. Each course will emphasize the creative process as it relates to Graphic Design + Digital Media.
The graphic design and digital media field is quite competitive, and our program keeps in line with this to prepare our students for success. The design field is a mix; part business, part creativity, part tech and even part math. We always need to keep the client and audience in mind when developing work. In the program you will focus on developing communication skills through hand-drawing, computer development and mockups of projects. Our focus is on typography, branding, packaging, motion and UI/UX design and web design.
Occasionally there is some confusion about which jobs are connected with a GDDM degree. Here are a few areas NOT connected with design; Interior Design, Industrial Design, 3D Animation, Character Development, Comics/Manga or Fashion design. Our students do get work in; web design, print layout, advertising, screen interface design and brand identity.
Reviews will be conducted in October (approximately week 9 of Fall term) for enroll in Spring classes, March (approximately week 9 of Spring term) for students who desire to enroll in Fall classes.
To be accepted into the Graphic Design & Digital Media track students must be admitted into the University and successfully pass the Limited Access review. All students that have taken and passed the prerequisite courses or approved equivalents are eligible to apply.
Instructions for Applying:
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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.
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To be considered for admission into the limited access program in Graphic Design + Digital Media, applicants must:
- Be accepted to the University of North Florida.
- Have passed all prerequisites leading up to and including ART1600C Digital Imaging Methods with a minimum of a C or approved state 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
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.
Transfer Students, please note:
Transfers MUST be accepted to the university and have an N-number in order to apply to the program. Do not apply as a Graphic Design and Digital Media major. Transfer students should apply to the University as a Painting/Drawing/Printmaking (PDP) major, to avoid holds. If you are accepted into the program, your major will be changed to Graphic Design and Digital Media
Transfer students applying to the University as GD+DM will be placed on hold (students cannot apply directly to a limited access major).
Transfer students should have completed GRA2190C Introduction to Graphic Design or state equivalent with a minimum of a C. Faculty recommends transfer students enroll in Graphic Design prerequisite and core classes at UNF.
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Faculty will review the submitted written component and portfolio from the Canvas course GD+DM LA on the designated review date per term (week 9 of each semester). Students' design work and writing will be evaluated and used to determine acceptance into the GD+DM track. There are limited spaces available for entry into this limited access track. Students will be ranked in order by scores from the evaluation form. Students will receive notification via email and in the mail within approximately one week. The committee's decisions are final.
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Students will be notified of their status by mail or email prior to registration for the following semester. Students should follow the recommended course of study made available through the department. Accepted students will be allowed to register for Limited Access classes for the following term. Students reviewing in Fall will be available to take Spring classes, students reviewing in Spring will be available to take Fall classes.
Your advisor will be notified of the committee's decision and your major will be changed in the system for you. Therefore you should not have any holds for registration. Admission into the Limited Access program does not guarantee enrollment in any given class during a specific term.
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Students will have 1 additional chance to submit a revised portfolio in an upcoming semester. Faculty decisions are considered final, portfolios may not be re-evaluated after the completion of the review. Please review the department letter for suggestions of what needs to be improved before the next review. You may discuss your portfolio with a design professor for suggestions and improvements to your work.
The Portfolio:
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Submit 8 visual arts pieces for the committee to consider. At least 4 works must be graphic design based (typography and image). You may choose to show more than 4 design works, however, no more than 2 from each of the following categories: photography, digital illustration or hand rendered works (paintings/drawings).
A minimum of 4 examples of design work. Any works that include type and image can be included.
Process slides are only for the design projects. Multiple slides can be placed after each of the design projects and include steps that show progression to the final result. Be sure process shows all phases of your work.
4 or less examples of artistic works.
Photographs, drawings, paintings, printmaking, etc.
(Please no examples or photographs of 3-D work, such as sculpture, ceramics, 3-D computer rendering.)
Work will be submitted in Canvas as a multi-page PDF document. Final files should not exceed 50 MB maximum. Landscape, saved as screen quality is the best format. Files must be tested and working. Design your slides, but the work should be the main focus. Be sure image quality is clear (not pixelated) and the color is accurate.
Make a slide list for the 8 works in the portfolio submission on the last page of the PDF. Include the following information: Project name, term and date, materials or programs used and class name.
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Creativity: Approach to design problems/assignments, concepts and ideas.
Exploration/Process: Level of experimentation with solutions at all stages of the design process. Visual proof of testing is evident.
Overall Design and Composition: Arrangement of visual elements on the page, which shows consideration of form, composition, principles, details and typography.
Technical Proficiency: Ability to use the computer and an understanding of software, digital camera, scanners and other relevant technology as effective tools in the execution of design work.
Communication in written form: Ability to organize and express ideas clearly, use design terminology, correct use of spelling & grammar and fully answer the questions by supporting the main ideas. Meets minimum length on writing requirements.
Portfolio Review Questions:
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Answer the question below.
- Discuss a design project that you consider effective visual communication based on: message, concept, format and design principles. Include a visual example and examine the designer, client and audience to help expand your reasoning.
- Discuss areas in the design field that you find motivating and how this impacted your decision to apply to the program.
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Save the file as a PDF with your full last name, first initial and answers, followed by term and year;
Example: smithb-answersF19.pdf
Include imagery to accompany your answer. Any images should be included before the text.
Your answers should be formal (not conversational) and approximately 400-500 words.
You should have separate pages for each question.
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Transfers MUST be accepted to the university and have an N-number in order to apply to the program.
Apply to the University as a Painting/Drawing/Printmaking (P/D/P) major.
Your application to the University will be held up if you apply directly as GD+DM (students cannot apply directly to a limited access major).
Transfer students should have completed GRA2190C Introduction to Graphic Design or state equivalent with a minimum of a C. The faculty recommends that transfer students take GRA2190 and PGY1800 at UNF for a seamless transfer into the program.
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Students in the Limited Access program in Graphic Design & Digital Media will need to go through the Limited Access Review process again if;
- A student leaves the program for more than 3 consecutive terms.
- A student receives a failing grade in Introduction to Graphic Design the term he or she reviews.
If breaking continuous enrollment for 2 semesters or more, the student must discuss re-enrollment options with the faculty and advisors.
Students that change majors or tracks (art history, ceramics, p/d/p, photo or sculpture) after being accepted into GD+DM, are no longer permitted to enroll in Limited Access classes.
