Graphic Design & Digital Media  Limited Access Information 

 

       Download Graphic Design & Digital Media information packet  

       Apply to the Limited Access Program

The Graphic Design + Digital Media program at the University of North Florida 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.

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.

Instructions for Applying:

• How do I apply?

  Apply online at http://www.unf-gddm.com/limited-access/ before the posted deadline. After the deadline, students will be invited to a Canvas course. Answers to the review questions and portfolios will be posted here before each of the posted deadlines. 

• Candidates must have the following status:

  To be considered for admission into the Limited Access program in Graphic Design + Digital Media, applicants must:

      1. Be accepted to the University of North Florida.

   

          2. Have passed all prerequisites leading up to and including ART2605C Basic Computer Images with a minimum of a C or approved state equivalent, AND be enrolled in, or have completed GRA2190C Introduction to Graphic Design. (It is recommended that students take PGY1800C Digital Photo for Designers with Introduction to Graphic Desig n.

  Transfer Students, please note:
  

  Transfers MUST be accepted to the university and have an N-number in order to apply to the program. Transfer students should apply to the University as a Painting/Drawing/Printmaking (PDP) major, for no holds.

  
  

  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 that transfers take GRA2190 and PGY1800 at UNF the term you plan on applying to the program. This will ensure a seamless transition. 

• Review Day

   

  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. 

   

• If Approved

  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.

• If Denied

   

  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:

• What do I include in my portfolio?

  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.

• Reviewers will be considering the following criteria for evaluation:

  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:

• Please answer the following questions:
  Answer the question below (second deadline).
  

   

  1. 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. 

   

  2. Discuss areas in the design field that you find motivating and how this impacted your decision to apply to the program.

   

• Portfolio review question requirements:

  • Save the file as a PDF with your full last name, first initial and answers, followed by term and year;
   smithb-answersF18.pdf

  • Include imagery to accompany your answer.

  • You answers should be formal (not conversational) and approximately 400-500 words.

• Transfer Students

  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. 

   

   

• Additional Information

  Students in the Limited Access program in Graphic Design & Digital Media will need to go through the Limited Access Review process again if;

   

   

  1. A student leaves the program for more than 3 consecutive terms. 
  2. A student receives a failing grade in Introduction to Graphic Design the term he or she reviews.

  If breaking continuous enrollment, students will be under the catalog for the term that they re-enter the track, unless they have 5 or fewer classes remaining.

   

  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. 

Review Dates

• 2017–2018 Academic Year

  Fall Review Dates: (for Spring enrollment)

  Applications due October 06, 2017 by 4:00

  Portfolio due October 20, 2017 by 10:00

   

  Spring Review Dates: (for Fall enrollment)

  Applications due February 23, 2018 by 4:00

  Portfolio due March 09, 2018  by 10:00

   

  Early submissions to Canvas are encouraged, everything must be posted by the Portfolio Deadline.