General Degree Competencies

• All graduating art majors will be able to address the following competencies upon completion of the program: Competencies are listed alphabetically.
• Understand basic design principles, concepts, media, and formats in the various visual arts disciples. Development of this sensitivity continues throughout the degree program.
• Ability to apply principles of design and color and competency in drawing in work specific to visual arts specializations.
• The ability to conceive, design and create works in one or more specific visual art fields.
• Working knowledge of various aesthetic issues, processes, and media and their relationship to the conceptualization, development and completion of works of arts.
• Understanding of the similarities, differences, and relationship among the various visual arts areas.
• Experiences that encourage familiarity with a broad variety of work in various specializations and media, including broad exposure to works of art.
• Opportunities to develop an area of emphasis in at least one of the visual arts areas.
• The ability to create and develop visual forms in response to communication problems, including an understanding of principles of visual organization/composition, information hierarchy, symbolic representation, typography, aesthetic and the construction of meaningful images.
• An understanding of the tools and technology, including their roles in the creation, reproduction, and distribution of visual messages. Relevant tools and technologies include but are not limited to, drawing, offset printing, photography, and time-based interactive media (film, video, computer multimedia).
• An understanding of basic business practices, including the ability to organize design projects and to work productively as a member of teams.
• The capacity to apply, explain and defend the critical analysis of works of art.