Skip to main content

Visual Arts (BFA)

Hours — 56-65 credit hours
Effective Sep. 2023
Last Revision 8/28/2024
Faculty Unit Assignment: Faculty of Arts & Letters
Sponsoring Program: Visual Arts
Holokai Category: Arts & Humanities

Navigation

Use these tiles to navigate to desired page section.
data-content-type="oneOffPage"
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=#9e1b34 overrideTextColor=#ffffff overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="oneOffPage"
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=#9e1b34 overrideTextColor=#ffffff overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="oneOffPage"
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=#9e1b34 overrideTextColor=#ffffff overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="oneOffPage"
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=#9e1b34 overrideTextColor=#ffffff overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="oneOffPage"
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=#9e1b34 overrideTextColor=#ffffff overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage=#9e1b34 overrideTextColor=#ffffff overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=

Program Requirements


Graphic Design Concentration (65 Credits)

Required Visual Arts Core — 6 Credits

Course number Title Semesters offered Credit hours Prerequisites
ART 119 Drawing and Design Principles F, W 3.0
ART 156 Three Dimensional Concepts F, W, S 3.0


Required Art History and Theory Core — 12 Credits

Course number Title Semesters offered Credit hours Prerequisites
ART 201 Global Art History I F, W, S 3.0 ENGL 101
ART 202 Global Art History II F, W 3.0 ENGL 101
ART 316 Graphic Design History F, S 3.0 ART 210 or 212
ART 442 Readings in Aesthetics F 3.0 ART 201 and either 202 or 316; and senior standing

    All students must pass the portfolio review before advancing to the Visual Arts Graphic Design Concentration. Complete the visual arts core, create a portfolio on Behance, and submit it electronically on the program website. Applications are due April 10. Students are allowed to take ART 210 and ART 212 before acceptance. Accepted students may begin visual arts graphic design coursework the semester indicated in the admittance letter.


    Graphic Design Concentration — 47 Credits

    Required — 39 Credits
    Course number Title Semesters offered Credit hours Prerequisites
    ART 210 Digital Design F, W, S 3.0 ART 119
    ART 212 Digital Photography F, W, S 3.0 ART 119
    ART 270 Typography F 3.0 ART 210, 212, portfolio review
    ART 280 Branding F 3.0 ART 210, 212, portfolio review
    ART 370 Interaction Design W 3.0 ART 270, 280
    ART 371 Typography II-Type & Lettering W 3.0 ART 270, 280
    ART 380 Publication Design W 3.0 ART 270, 280
    ART 399R Internship in Visual Art F, W, S 3.0 Graphic design majors: ART 270, 280
    ART 444 Motion Graphics F 3.0 ART 370, 371, 380
    ART 445 Packaging Design F 3.0 ART 370, 371, 380
    ART 470 Artist Portfolio Production W 3.0 BFA standing or permission of instructor
    ART 480 BFA Thesis Research F 3.0 BFA standing
    ART 481 BFA Thesis Studio (Graphic Design) W 3.0 ART 480


    Visual Arts Seminar — 2 Credits

    Repeat four (4) times

    Course number Title Semesters offered Credit hours Prerequisites
    ART 300R Visual Arts Seminar F, W 0.5 Portfolio review


    Electives: Take two of the following — 6 Credits
    Course number Title Semesters offered Credit hours Prerequisites
    ART 221R Figure Drawing F, W 3.0 ART 119
    ART 225 Painting Concepts F, S 3.0
    ART 255 Beginning Ceramics W 3.0
    ART 368 Printmaking-Lithography W 3.0 Portfolio review
    ART 375 Printmaking-Screen Printing S 3.0 ART 210 and portfolio review
    ART 390R Special Topics in Art Variable 3.0
    ART 447 Book Arts S 3.0 ART 119 or portfolio review

    Painting & Illustration Concentration (56 Credits)

    Required Visual Arts Core — 6 Credits

    Course number Title Semesters offered Credit hours Prerequisites
    ART 119 Drawing and Design Principles F, W 3.0
    ART 156 or Three Dimensional Concepts or F, W, S 3.0
    ART 265 Beginning Sculpture F, W 3.0


    Required Art History and Theory Core — 12 Credits

    Course number Title Semester offered Credit hours Prerequisites
    ART 201 Global Art History I F, W, S 3.0 ENGL 101
    ART 202 Global Art History II F, W 3.0 ENGL 101
    ART 306 Global Art History III F, S 3.0 ENGL 101, ART 201 or 202
    ART 442 Readings in Aesthetics F 3.0 ART 201 & either 202 or 316; and senior standing

    All students must pass the portfolio review before advancing to the visual arts painting & illustration concentration. Complete the visual arts core, create a portfolio on Behance, and submit it electronically on the program website. Applications are due April 10. Accepted students may begin painting & illustration concentration coursework the semester located in the admittance letter.


    Painting & Illustration Concentration — 38 Credits

    Required — 30 Credits
    Course number Title Semesters offered Credit hours Prerequisites
    ART 212 Digital Photography F, W, S 3.0 ART 119
    ART 221R Figure Drawing F, W 3.0 ART 119
    ART 225 Painting Concepts F, S 3.0
    ART 325 Figure Painting W 3.0 ART 221R, 225
    ART 335 or Watercolor or S - odd years 3.0 ART 221R, 225
    ART 345 Digital Painting S - even years 3.0 ART 210, 221R, 225
    ART 385 Contemporary Art Studio S 3.0 ART 119 and either ART 156 or 255R or 265
    ART 425 Advanced Painting F 3.0 ART 325
    ART 470 Artist Portfolio Production W 3.0 BFA standing or permission of instructor
    ART 480 BFA Thesis Research F 3.0 BFA standing
    ART 482 BFA Thesis Studio Painting W 3.0 ART 480


    Visual Arts Seminar — 2 Credits

    Repeat four (4) times

    Course number Title Semesters offered Credit hours Prerequisites
    ART 300R Visual Arts Seminar F, W 0.5 Portfolio review


    Electives: Take two of the following — 6 Credits
    Course number Title Semesters offered Credit hours Prerequisites
    ART 210 Digital Design F, W, S 3.0 ART 119
    ART 255 Beginning Ceramics W 3.0
    ART 312 Intermediate Photography W 3.0 ART 210, 212
    ART 355 Intermediate Ceramics W 3.0 ART 199 and ART 255
    ART 365 Intermediate Sculpture F 3.0 ART 265
    ART 368 Printmaking-Lithography W 3.0 Portfolio review
    ART 375 Printmaking-Screen Printing S 3.0 ART 210 and portfolio review
    ART 399R Internship in Visual Arts F, W, S 3.0 Graphic design majors: ART 270, ART 280
    ART 447 Book Arts S 3.0 ART 119 or portfolio review
    ART 465 Advanced Sculpture W 3.0 ART 365
    FILM 102, 218, 300, 318, 365R TBA 3.0 Diverse prerequisites. Permission of instructor


    Additional Program Requirements

    1. No more than two courses may be counted toward both the major and any other major, minor, or certificate programs.
    2. No grade below C- will be accepted in fulfilling major requirements. One retake is allowed per class, for up to two major classes.

    Program Learning Outcomes

    Upon completing a major in art, students will:

    1. Demonstrate studio proficiency in hand-crafted visual art production techniques.
    2. Demonstrate studio proficiency in digital imaging and computer software production techniques.
    3. Demonstrate methods of critical thinking through critique, compositional analysis, and interpretation of the elements and principles of design.
    4. Demonstrate informed understanding and appreciation of the history of art, theories of art, and the role of art in education through written and oral communication.
    5. Demonstrate proficiency in professional practices of visual arts documentation and presentation through portfolio production and exhibition.
    6. Demonstrate leadership and self-directed learning through independent study, student research, and internship.

    Program Descriptions

    The Visual Arts Program supports the mission of BYU–Hawaii to prepare students of Oceania and the Asian Rim to be lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ and leaders in their families, communities, chosen fields, and in building the kingdom of God. Specifically the program strives to cultivate students into visually literate, proficient visual problem solvers with integrity and a foundation in the Gospel, while simultaneously preparing them as competent professionals in various fields of visual arts.


    Career Opportunities

    The art major prepares students for many visual art and humanity-related careers and provides a solid foundation for art and design graduate programs. Studio art majors can specialize in one of two media tracks (graphic design, or painting). Students in the graphic design track are trained as graphic designers in digital and print media for branding, publication, and web design, including additional skills in illustration, photography, and video. Students in the painting track are trained to work as self-employed freelance artists, with the skills necessary.