Program Details
Graphic and Animation Design BFA
Bachelor of Fine ArtsLongwood University
One or more Transfer Guides are available in the Resource Center for this Institution. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
Longwood University's Graphic and Animation Design (GAND) program provides students with a rigorous and comprehensive four-year education in either Graphic Design, Animation, Simulation and Time-based Media, or Motion Design. Our primary mission is to prepare students to be able to think critically, communicate both visually and in writing, and to be able to engage in-and execute-a systematic approach to visual problem solving. This includes effective research and cross disciplinary problem solving methodologies, concept generation, concept development and critical analysis. Students are provided with a solid foundation in traditional and digital craft and tools skills. We promote exploration, the use of narrative and storytelling, organization, and visual information systems to be able to craft an appropriate message for a specific audience. The GAND program was developed around contemporary methods and practices, and encourages students to compete nationally in refereed competitions, and through real client interaction with the student-run agency Design Lab. The GAND program, in conjunction with an excellent liberal arts foundation and the program's emphasis on interdisciplinary electives, aims to graduate students with the skills and nimble thinking to excel in the marketplace of today and tomorrow. The Graphic and Animation Design BFA degree program is a four-year course of study in graphic, animation, and motion design. Therefore, a transfer student can expect to spend a minimum of three to three and a half years within the GAND program. A student planning to transfer to the Longwood's GAND program is encouraged to contact the Chair of the Department of Theatre, Art, and Graphic and Animation Design who will route them to the appropriate GAND faculty for questions about the student's transfer plans.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | Some students enter the GAND concentrations believing they are art, but this is a misapprehension. Design is about clearly communicating an idea or concept to a audience. Our students learn basic communication theory in their Foundation year. GAND students learn and practice good critical thinking Don't be daunted; if you enjoy solving puzzles that test your ingenuity and knowledge, you will likely enjoy the GAND program. Please explore the AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) website at AIGA.org. The website will give you a good idea of what you can do with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from GAND There is a year-long research project in the student's concentration beginning in the second semester of the student's third year. Students will work mostly independently, but with guidance by the GAND professors. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Our program, Graphic and Animation Design (GAND) has three concentrations under its major—brand identity and media design (or graphic designz0, motion design, and animation, simulation and time-base media. Our faculty encourage students to explore our newest concentration in motion design since students learn about all three of our concentrations. A student's first year in GAND is the Foundations year in which the student learns about the elements, principles, and theories that underlie all three concentration. In the second year, students declare their concentration. Transfer students, entering their first year at Longwood, and depending on their transfer credits, may be permitted to skip the first semester GAND classes and move to the second semester of their first-year GAND courses.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | Many of our students either minor or major in Communications Public Relations, Computer Science, Business, or English. The GAND faculty aim to create a "T-shaped person" with the stem of the T representing the student's concentration learning, and the arms of the T representing knowledge from two or three other disciples. The students find that their minors and majors greatly broaden their learning and help them make an attractive hire. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | Two successes stand out: one is the open-door policy of our faculty. This policy give students access to the GAND professors outside of the classroom. This does not often happen at other universities and colleges, both large and small. This one-on-one learning goes beyond classroom instruction and is tailored to the individual student. Another success is Design Lab. Design Lab is the GAND program's student-run design agency. It is more than an internship since students do real work under the structure of a design agency, with junior designers , senior designers, art directors, and senior art directors. Design Lab is not a class, and students must apply for entry and be vetted by the GAND faculty. Students may apply in the second semester of their second year, and can reapply up to five times. Students outside of the GAND program may apply to Design Lab as writers, photographers, and students studying public relations for variable credit of one to three credits. In general, our graphic design and motion design graduates are more successful at finding jobs in their field as compared to our animators. Many of the successful graphic and motion design job seekers spent at least a year in Design Lab ahead of graduation. |
Program Credit Requirements
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Longwood University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | If you earn a transfer-oriented associate's degree (Associate of Arts and/or Science) from one of the Virginia community colleges or Richard Bland College and you are admitted to Longwood, you are guaranteed completion of all Foundation-level courses as well as the Integrating World Languages Perspectives-level course associated with Civitae (Longwood’s core curriculum program). |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
| Credit for Prior Learning | http://www.longwood.edu/registrar/transfer-of-credits/transfer-equivalency-system/ |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | Longwood is a mid-sized university where students enjoy the highest percentage of classes taught by full-time professors in Virginia and a residential academic community that offers students the full university experience. Class sizes are smaller than average--our Civitae Core Curriculum classes are capped at 25 students--throughout our more than 100 majors, minors, and concentrations. With seven on-campus residence halls and two university-managed apartment complexes, students live, learn, and grow together in a true community. Opportunities for students to be involved are the hallmark of the Longwood experience. From service organizations and Greek life to club sports and a long list of clubs based on interests and activities, there is something for everyone at Longwood. Each semester, an involvement fair helps students find organizations that are the right fit for them to make their time at Longwood even more meaningful. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Transfer students may choose the catalog in effect at the time they enroll or the one that applies to continuous full-time students at their class level. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | New students join the catalog year in effect during their first matriculating semester. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Students transferring from an institution with a transfer agreement are guaranteed admission to Longwood when they have finished their transfer-oriented associate's degree (Associate of Arts and/or Science) and earned a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Students who are admitted prior to earning the transfer-oriented associate's degree (Associate of Arts and/or Science) and complete the degree before enrolling at Longwood also will receive the articulation benefits upon submission of an official transcript. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts: Fine Arts Major | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Graphic Design, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Graphic Design: Interactive Design Specialization, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Visual Art, A.F.A. | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Graphic and Media Design | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Fine Arts in Visual Arts | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Graphic Design | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Visual Design | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Fine Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Graphic Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Emory & Henry University | Art: Graphic Design (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Regent University | BFA in Graphic Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | Online |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27-1011.00 | Art Directors | Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 27-1019.00 | Artists and Related Workers, All Other | All artists and related workers not listed separately. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 27-1024.00 | Graphic Designers | Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 27-1014.00 | Special Effects Artists and Animators | Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
| 15-1255.01 | Video Game Designers | Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed. | Computer and Mathematical Occupations |
| 15-1255.00 | Web and Digital Interface Designers | Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links. | Computer and Mathematical Occupations |
Cost To Complete