| Visual Arts and Design | |
| Type | Degree program |
|---|---|
| Degree | B.A. |
| Credits | 120 |
| Department | Department of Fine Art |
| Division | Arts & Humanities |
| Institution | Oakridge College |
| Category | Academics & Programs |
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Total Credits Required: 120
The B.A. in Visual Arts and Design is a 120-credit program designed for students who want a broader and more advanced course of study in visual communication, applied design, creative production, composition, digital and traditional media, and the public use of images. This program is intended for students who want to develop artistic skill alongside practical design judgment, preparing them for creative work that depends on clarity, visual discipline, audience awareness, and thoughtful presentation.
The program combines general education with advanced departmental coursework, approved electives or concentration study, and a senior-level design or visual arts requirement. Students complete foundational studies in communication, cultural understanding, critical thinking, and liberal study alongside focused coursework in drawing, composition, design principles, visual communication, typography, digital media, illustration, publication design, branding, and applied creative practice.
Together, these requirements are intended to prepare students for further study or supervised creative pathways that depend on visual problem-solving, technical skill, artistic judgment, communication, and the ability to develop images and designs for specific audiences, spaces, publications, or public-facing purposes.
Program Structure
- General Education Requirements: 36 credits
- Department Core Requirements: 42 credits
- Visual Arts and Design Concentration or Approved Electives: 30 credits
- Senior Design Project, Portfolio, or Visual Arts Capstone: 12 credits
General Education Requirements
Students complete a broad foundation in communication, cultural understanding, critical thinking, and liberal study. This portion of the program gives students the academic breadth expected of a bachelor’s-level graduate while supporting the visual analysis, written explanation, and public communication required in design and applied creative work.
Department Core Requirements
The core of the program provides advanced study in visual arts, design principles, drawing, composition, color theory, typography, digital media, illustration, visual communication, art history, critique practice, and creative process. These courses establish the artistic and practical foundation of the degree.
The core requirements are intended to help students develop not only technical ability, but also the judgment to make visual choices with purpose. Students are expected to understand how images, layouts, symbols, and designed materials communicate meaning in academic, cultural, institutional, and public-facing settings.
Visual Arts and Design Concentration or Approved Electives
Students complete an upper-level block of approved electives or an approved concentration within the department. This allows the degree to remain broad enough for Oakridge’s liberal arts structure while still giving students a defined direction within visual arts and design.
Possible areas of emphasis may include graphic design, illustration, publication design, digital composition, visual branding, exhibition graphics, poster design, visual storytelling, applied studio practice, art history, or museum and gallery-related design.
Senior Design Project, Portfolio, or Visual Arts Capstone
In the final portion of the degree, students complete a senior-level culminating requirement. This may take the form of a completed design portfolio, visual arts project, publication design project, exhibition graphics package, branding study, illustrated project, public-facing visual campaign, or faculty-approved capstone.
This requirement is intended to bring together the creative, technical, interpretive, and practical elements of the degree. Students are expected to demonstrate their ability to develop coherent visual work, explain their design choices, respond to critique, and present finished materials in a structured academic or public-facing setting.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of at least 120 credit hours
- Successful completion of all required departmental coursework
- Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0
- A grade of C or higher in all core program requirements
- Completion of the senior design project, portfolio, or visual arts capstone
Program Overview
The B.A. in Visual Arts and Design is intended for students who want a bachelor’s-level education grounded in visual communication, creative production, applied design, and artistic judgment. The program prepares students for further study, supervised creative work, design-related roles, publication work, gallery or museum support, campus communications, or other pathways that depend on clear visual presentation and thoughtful creative practice.
Within Oakridge’s Department of Fine Art, this degree provides the department’s primary applied visual pathway. It connects studio foundations, design principles, visual communication, critique, portfolio development, and public-facing creative work into a single program while remaining true to Oakridge’s broader liberal arts character.
OOC / Behind-the-scenes notes
OOC Notes: This is a general RP description of the program. RP Students taking the major are not required to fulfill these requirements. Different RP-related educational expectations might be presented to you when you begin your education.