Art and Design (B.A.)

Bachelor of Arts Program
Program Code: BA-AS
​Major Code: ARD

Art and Design​ Department
Upton Hall 402
(716) 878-6032
artdesign.buffalostate.edu/

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) Accredited

The BA in Art and Design degree is a studio focused liberal arts degree option which allows the art student the opportunity to discover and explore various media for their creative expression.  Starting with a 27-credit foundation studies program, students are immersed in courses in drawing, two- and three-dimensional design, 2D and 3D digital design, and art history.

Students will select a four-course sequence in either ceramics, fibers, metals/jewelry, painting, photography and documentary studies, sculpture, or wood/furniture to further develop and refine their concepts and skills in both traditional and contemporary studio practices.  Electives in design, fine art, and art education courses provide breadth.  

No entrance portfolio is required for admission of incoming students (including both Freshman and Transfer students) who choose the BA-AS-ARD ART.

Students will enjoy the opportunity to display their strongest work in exhibitions and during special events. The Art and Design Department reserves the right to temporarily retain students’ work for official purposes, such as exhibitions, program display, special events, and recruitment, etc.; and to use images of the students and/or their work for publicity, documentation, and recruitment. 

Students are expected to assume the costs of materials used in courses. Some studio courses may have an additional charge for materials used in class. Students enrolled in a studio course are expected to work a minimum of two additional hours each week outside of class for each credit granted for that class and the hours gradually increase as the student progresses in the concentration.
 

Program Requirements

General Education 23 Requirements
33 credit hours33
Art and Design Major Requirements (54 credit hours)
Foundation Studies (27 credit hours)
AAD 101DRAWING I3
AAD 102INTRODUCTION TO TWO-DIMENSIONAL DESIGN3
AAD 103INTRODUCTION TO THREE-DIMENSIONAL DESIGN3
AAD 104DIGITAL PRESENTATION METHODS3
AAD 105INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL DESIGN AND FABRICATION3
AAD 150THEMES AND ISSUES IN THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS3
AAD 251ART HISTORY I3
AAD 252ART HISTORY II3
AAD 470SENIOR SEMINAR3
Studio Concentrations12
Select one Concentration/Emphasis. Four sequential courses in the same studio concentration.
Ceramics
CERAMICS I
CERAMICS II
CERAMICS: JUNIOR STUDIO (3-12)
CERAMICS: JUNIOR STUDIO (3-12)
Fibers
FIBERS I
FIBERS II
FIBERS: JUNIOR STUDIO
FIBERS: JUNIOR STUDIO
Metals/Jewelry
INTRODUCTION TO JEWELRY MAKING
APPLIED JEWELRY TECHNIQUES
JEWELRY: JUNIOR STUDIO (3-12)
JEWELRY: JUNIOR STUDIO (3-12)
METALSMITHING
Wood/Furniture
WOOD DESIGN I
WOOD DESIGN II
WOOD DESIGN: JUNIOR STUDIO (3-12)
WOOD DESIGN: JUNIOR STUDIO (3-12)
Painting
INTRODUCTORY PAINTING
INTERMEDIATE PAINTING I
INTERMEDIATE PAINTING II
ADVANCED PAINTING (3-9)
Photography and Documentary Studies
PHOTOGRAPHY I
INTERMEDIATE PHOTOGRAPHY I
INTERMEDIATE PHOTOGRAPHY II
ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY (3-9)
Sculpture
INTRODUCTORY SCULPTURE
INTERMEDIATE SCULPTURE I
INTERMEDIATE SCULPTURE II
ADVANCED SCULPTURE (1-9)
Electives in Art and Design15
Select any five three-credit hour courses from the following prefixes. Courses must be outside of the Studio Concentration. Three of the five courses must be upper level.
AED
DES
FAR
All College Electives
27-33 credit hours27-33
Total Credit Hours120
 
 

Students will demonstrate:

  1. basic knowledge and understanding of materials and techniques in art.
  2. basic ability to analyze works of art in terms of their subject, style, and intention, and a resulting development of visual sensitivity.
  3. understanding of the cultural and historical context of art through time.
  4. basic understanding of the creative process.
  5. basic ability to write about works of art.