Design Degrees Online

The focus of an MA by Project is a self-originated substantial body of independent work. The research project may be practice-based or developed as a thesis. The project may involve the development of design(s), artwork(s), craftwork(s), artifact(s), article(s), musical instrument(s), or research on existing examples of the above, or processes for the production or development of the above, submitted as a body of practical work with accompanying reflective and critical report. Alternately, the research can be written up and submitted as a dissertation. It is undertaken by proposing a project and then carrying it through within a supportive and structured framework.

The course welcomes applications for projects researching aspects of visual culture, either practice-based or dissertation.

Other suitable projects include:
developing interior designs
exploring aspects of the development of interior designs
research into interior design practice
design history
design theory, such as contemporary Oriental interior design

The University of North Texas’ College of Visual Arts & Design (Formerly School of Visual Arts) is one of the nation’s most comprehensive visual arts schools at a public university, and it is considered one of the best in the Southwest. The college is divided into three divisions: studio, design, and art education/art history. There are eight studio art areas within the Division of Studio: ceramics, drawing and painting, fiber arts, metalsmithing and jewelry, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and watercolor. Separate brochures are available for information about each program.

Printmakers are often self-employed, exhibiting and selling their works in galleries, museums and exhibition venues. Some work commercially in printing shops, production studios and in the printing industry. Many choose to teach at a college or university. Increasingly, businesses are seeking employees who are educated in the visual arts for positions in their training and design departments. Studying printmaking will prepare you to become a practicing artist and for the pursuit of an advanced degree - a master of fine arts degree in your discipline - should you consider teaching at the university level for a career.

UNT’s Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies and interview preparation.

Printmaking

As a printmaking student, you will take courses in art appreciation, art history, design and drawing, as well as course work for your major studio area. You will have access to large, well-equipped studios and instruction in a wide range of media and techniques. Course work is designed to emphasize sound art fundamentals, creativity and self-expression, and will provide you with life-enriching skills and experiences.

A portfolio is not required for admission to these programs. However, if you are a transfer student, you may need to submit one for placement in courses beyond the beginning level. To insure the highest quality of work, you will be required to submit portfolios of artwork at specific intervals in your studies. At the end of your sophomore year, the faculty members in your area will review a portfolio of your work to determine whether you should continue in the program. Again, during your last senior studio art class in your major, you are asked to submit a portfolio for an exit review.

UNT’s printmaker is an accomplished artist, maintaining a private studio practice and exhibiting his work regionally, nationally and internationally. This insures UNT’s program widespread exposure and establishes a healthy dialogue with other printmaking programs nationwide. Additionally, the University Fine Arts Press can give you unique opportunities to work with visiting artists and master printers.

UNT’s 90,000-square-foot Art Building includes classrooms, computer labs, faculty offices, studios, a workshop, the UNT Art Gallery and a visual resources library. Four other campus buildings house additional classrooms and laboratories, as well as the Texas Fashion Collection, the Cora Stafford Gallery and the University Fine Arts Press.

UNT’s College of Visual Arts and Design is one of the nation’s largest art programs at a public institution and is considered one of the best in the Southwest. The college is divided into three departments: studio art, design, and art education/art history. The Drawing and Painting concentration is in the Department of Studio Art. The program’s curriculum emphasizes creativity and self-expression.

The drawing and painting concentration will prepare you to become a self-employed artist or to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree. Self-employed artists show and sell work in galleries, museums and a variety of other venues. The M.F.A. degree is an intensive program for those who wish to further develop their art. The M.F.A. degree also can open teaching opportunities at the college and university levels.

UNT’s Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies, and interview preparation.

Majoring in drawing and painting

As a drawing and painting major, you will study not only Drawing and Painting, but art appreciation, art history, design, printmaking and other studio arts. You will have access to well-equipped studios and instruction in a wide range of techniques.

Drawing and painting majors spend a lot of time in studio classes creating original works, studying aspects of the field and learning to critique their peers and their own work in different art contexts.

A portfolio is not required for admission to the program, but transfer students may need to submit one for placement beyond beginning level classes. After you complete 6 hours of intermediate painting, your portfolio is reviewed by the drawing and painting faculty. You may be invited to participate in a junior exhibition after your review. Before graduation, usually during your last senior painting class, you will have an exit review that includes an exhibition featuring art work from all graduating seniors.

The drawing and painting faculty members are accomplished artists who are active and respected participants in the professional art world. Each faculty member exhibits their artwork nationally and internationally and travels extensively to maintain a current and high status in their field.

The 90,000-square-foot Art Building at UNT includes classrooms, a computer lab, faculty offices, studios, a workshop, the UNT Art Gallery and a visual resources library. Four other campus buildings house additional classrooms and laboratories, as well as the Texas Fashion Collection and the Cora Stafford Gallery.

To be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the general, discretionary or special admission requirements. Applicants must also meet the English language requirements. Applicants must submit a portfolio of work and may also be interviewed.
General admission

Applicants must:
Be at least 16 years of age when the programme begins (or provide a completed Early Release Exemption form, which you can obtain from your local Ministry of Education office) and;
Have a minimum of 42 NCEA credits at level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, including a minimum of:
14 credits in each of two subjects from an approved subject list; and
14 credits taken from no more than two additional domains on the National Qualifications Framework or approved subjects and;
Have a minimum of eight credits at level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Maori, of which four credits must be in Reading and four in Writing (see note), or equivalent; or design and;
Have at least three C passes in New Zealand University Bursaries examinations, or equivalent or;
Have gained the Unitec Certificate in Design and Visual Arts, or equivalent or;
Have gained the Unitec Certificate in Foundation Studies: Whitinga (Level 3) with a relevant endorsement, where appropriate, or equivalent.

Discretionary admission (for applicants aged under 20)

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who are less than 20 years of age when the programme begins may be considered for discretionary admission if they can demonstrate aptitude for study at the required level. This could include, for example:
Having a minimum of 72 credits at NCEA level 2 in their best four subjects, including English, or equivalent; or
Having a minimum of 42 credits at level 3 or higher on the NQF, including, but not limited to, the following subjects:
Art History
Design (Practical Art)
Graphics
Painting (Practical Art)
Photography (Practical Art)
Printmaking (Practical Art)
Sculpture (Practical Art)
Technology; or equivalent.
Having a maximum of 10 in their best four New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate subjects, or equivalent; or
Having at least three C passes in New Zealand University Bursaries examinations, or equivalent.
Special admission (for applicants aged 20 and over)

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who are at least 20 years of age when the programme begins may be considered for special admission if they can provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience.

English language

Applicants must:

either;
Have a minimum of eight NCEA credits in English at level 2, of which four must be in Reading and four in Writing, or equivalent or;
Have a minimum of seven NCEA credits at level 3 in an English-rich subject, or equivalent or;
Have successfully completed studies at level 5 or higher in an English medium or;
Have a grade of 5 or better in New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate English, or equivalent or;
Have New Zealand University Bursaries in an English-rich subject with a minimum mark of 40 percent, or equivalent or;
Have an overall IELTS band score (Academic) of no less than 6.0 (with no band score lower than 5.0), or a TOEFL score of no less than 550, or equivalent or;
Have an appropriate Unitec English language qualification, such as the Diploma in English (Academic), or equivalent.

To be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the general, discretionary or special admission requirements. Applicants must also meet the English language requirements. Applicants must submit a portfolio of work and may also be interviewed.

General admission

Applicants must:
Be at least 16 years of age when the programme begins (or provide a completed Early Release Exemption form, which you can obtain from your local Ministry of Education office) and;
Have a minimum of 42 NCEA credits at level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, including a minimum of:
14 credits in each of two subjects from an approved subject list; and
14 credits taken from no more than two additional domains on the National Qualifications Framework or approved subjects and;
Have a minimum of eight credits at level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Maori, of which four credits must be in Reading and four in Writing (see note), or equivalent; or design and;
Have at least three C passes in New Zealand University Bursaries examinations, or equivalent or;
Have gained the Unitec Certificate in Design and Visual Arts, or equivalent or;
Have gained the Unitec Certificate in Foundation Studies: Whitinga (Level 3) with a relevant endorsement, where appropriate, or equivalent.
Discretionary admission (for applicants aged under 20)

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who are less than 20 years of age when the programme begins may be considered for discretionary admission if they can demonstrate aptitude for study at the required level. This could include, for example:
Having a minimum of 72 credits at NCEA level 2 in their best four subjects, including English, or equivalent; or
Having a minimum of 42 credits at level 3 or higher on the NQF, including, but not limited to, the following subjects:
Art History
Design (Practical Art)
Graphics
Painting (Practical Art)
Photography (Practical Art)
Printmaking (Practical Art)
Sculpture (Practical Art)
Technology; or equivalent.
Having a maximum of 10 in their best four New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate subjects, or equivalent; or
Having at least three C passes in New Zealand University Bursaries examinations, or equivalent.
Special admission (for applicants aged 20 and over)

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who are at least 20 years of age when the programme begins may be considered for special admission if they can provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience.
English language

Applicants must:

either;
Have a minimum of eight NCEA credits in English at level 2, of which four must be in Reading and four in Writing, or equivalent or;
Have a minimum of seven NCEA credits at level 3 in an English-rich subject, or equivalent or;
Have successfully completed studies at level 5 or higher in an English medium or;
Have a grade of 5 or better in New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate English, or equivalent or;
Have New Zealand University Bursaries in an English-rich subject with a minimum mark of 40 percent, or equivalent or;
Have an overall IELTS band score (Academic) of no less than 6.0 (with no band score lower than 5.0), or a TOEFL score of no less than 550, or equivalent or;
Have an appropriate Unitec English language qualification, such as the Diploma in English (Academic), or equivalent.

To be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the general, discretionary or special admission requirements. Applicants must also meet the English language requirements. Applicants must submit a portfolio of work and may also be interviewed.

General admission

Applicants must:
Be at least 16 years of age when the programme begins (or provide a completed Early Release Exemption form, which you can obtain from your local Ministry of Education office) and;
Have a minimum of 42 NCEA credits at level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, including a minimum of:
14 credits in each of two subjects from an approved subject list; and
14 credits taken from no more than two additional domains on the National Qualifications Framework or approved subjects and;
Have a minimum of eight credits at level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Maori, of which four credits must be in Reading and four in Writing (see note), or equivalent; or design and;
Have at least three C passes in New Zealand University Bursaries examinations, or equivalent or;
Have gained the Unitec Certificate in Design and Visual Arts, or equivalent or;
Have gained the Unitec Certificate in Foundation Studies: Whitinga (Level 3) with a relevant endorsement, where appropriate, or equivalent.
Discretionary admission (for applicants aged under 20)

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who are less than 20 years of age when the programme begins may be considered for discretionary admission if they can demonstrate aptitude for study at the required level. This could include, for example:
Having a minimum of 72 credits at NCEA level 2 in their best four subjects, including English, or equivalent; or
Having a minimum of 42 credits at level 3 or higher on the NQF, including, but not limited to, the following subjects:
Art History
Design (Practical Art)
Graphics
Painting (Practical Art)
Photography (Practical Art)
Printmaking (Practical Art)
Sculpture (Practical Art)
Technology; or equivalent.
Having a maximum of 10 in their best four New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate subjects, or equivalent; or
Having at least three C passes in New Zealand University Bursaries examinations, or equivalent.
Special admission (for applicants aged 20 and over)

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who are at least 20 years of age when the programme begins may be considered for special admission if they can provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience.

English language

Applicants must:

either;
Have a minimum of eight NCEA credits in English at level 2, of which four must be in Reading and four in Writing, or equivalent or;
Have a minimum of seven NCEA credits at level 3 in an English-rich subject, or equivalent or;
Have successfully completed studies at level 5 or higher in an English medium or;
Have a grade of 5 or better in New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate English, or equivalent or;
Have New Zealand University Bursaries in an English-rich subject with a minimum mark of 40 percent, or equivalent or;
Have an overall IELTS band score (Academic) of no less than 6.0 (with no band score lower than 5.0), or a TOEFL score of no less than 550, or equivalent or;
Have an appropriate Unitec English language qualification, such as the Diploma in English (Academic), or equivalent.

CurriculumFirst Year-Fall
Drawing Studio 1 3
2D Integrated Studio 1 3
3D Studio 1 3
Laboratory 1 3
Critical Reading & Writing 1 3
Perspectives in World Art & Design 1 3
Total 18
First Year - Spring
Drawing Studio 2 3
2D Integrated Studio 2 3
3D Studio 2 3
Laboratory 2 3
Critical Reading & Writing 2 3
Perspectives in World Art & Design 2 3
Total 18

Sophomore-Fall
Typography 1 3
Communication Design 1 3
Presentation 3
Studio Elective 3
History of Graphic Design 3
Liberal Arts Elective 3
Total 18
Sophomore-Spring
Typography 2 3
Communication Design 2 3
Production 3
Studio Elective 3
Introduction to Design Studies 3
University Lecture Elective 3
Total 18

Junior-Fall
Advanced Typography 3
Studio Electives 7
Global Issues in Design & Visuality: 21st Century 3
Art History/Design Studies Elective 3
Total 16
Junior-Spring
Advanced Studio 3
Studio Electives 9
University Lecture Elective 3
Total 15

Senior-Fall
Advanced Graphic Design 3
Studio Electives 9
Senior Seminar 3
Total 15
Senior-Spring
Senior Thesis 4
Studio Electives 6
Advanced Art History/Design Studies Elective 3
Liberal Arts Elective 3
Total 16

TOTAL CREDITS 134

Description:
The Design program offers preparatory studies in the fields of applied design: interior design, fashion design, architecture and industrial design. Students obtain a solid foundation in the visual arts and intermediate studies that focus on developing an understanding of design principles through the study of history, design theory and hands-on studio courses. Project work explores various media applicable to a wide range of design professions. The program awards an Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A .) degree and is designed to transfer to four-year colleges as the first two years of a liberal arts baccalaureate. Design graduates major in industrial design, interior design, architecture, fashion design/marketing, design education (teaching design) or other design disciplines.

All undergraduates who enter the School of Art and Design enter as Bachelor of Arts students in Art. They are enrolled in either a concentration in Art History, Design Studies, or Studio Practice. If matriculating in Studio Practice, their emphasis will be in Photography, Pictorial Art, or Spatial Art. To receive a degree as a BFA or BS degree student requires passage of a portfolio review for entry to these programs. There are no undergraduate degrees offered in Art Education, though students electing this path will receive a BA or BFA in Art that meets state certification requirements for subject matter content. At this point, half of the undergraduate students who graduate in art and design receive BA degrees in Art with concentrations in Studio Practice, Art History, Design Studies, or with courses including one of these concentrations leading to Art Education certification. The other half move into and graduate with Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees.

The art, design, and art history programs are interconnected with many students majoring in one field and minoring in another. The array of programs offers a number of choices for students wanting to follow path of specialized study as well as for those choosing more general directions. If they start as freshmen, students will spend the first two years in interconnected studies in general education, art history, and core courses in art and design.

All undergraduate degrees require a minimum of 17 general education courses to meet the university requirement of 51 units. It is generally recommended that art and design students spread these requirements out over four years. Within the general education requirements are courses in basic skills which include oral and written communication and critical thinking, the sciences, math, humanities and the arts, social science, government, and human understanding and development. Some programs recommend specific general education classes. Some Art History classes meet either upper or lower division general education requirements. Advanced general education courses require the passage of a junior level writing skills test (WST) to establish eligibility. Additionally, all undergraduate degrees must include at least 40 units of upper division (100 or above) course work.