Digital Design Minor

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Introduction

Please click here to see general Visual Arts information.

The digital design minor integrates creative thinking with experience using digital applications in the production of graphic design and motion graphics. Configured as an interdisciplinary arts and design laboratory, this minor offers a practical understanding of how digital technology can be applied to help solve human, social and business problems.

Program Delivery

This is an on-campus program

Declaring This Minor

Students who are applying for entrance into the digital design minor must submit a portfolio, as described below. The digital design minor accepts applications only once a year. Students who meet the requirements and are accepted will be able to register for upper-division digital design courses.

ELIGIBILITY

The student has completed, or is in the process of completing, the following courses with a grade of C (2.0) or better in each:

FINE 2405 and 2415 are both in the fall at CU Denver.

Those applying to the minor (and not the digital design emphasis) are not required to complete the following course or its college-level equivalent:

FINE 1400 - Two Dimensional Design

However, students must show equivalent studio work in their portfolio applications.

PORTFOLIO APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

To properly prepare the application, refer to the digital design website for detailed instructions. Applications are due by November 1 at 5:00pm (Mountain Time) or on the following business day if the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday.

Applications are only accepted online via the portfolio service SlideRoom.com and must be formatted to the specifications listed on the digital design website. The portfolio samples should consist of images (.jpgs) and embedded video. Written work should be integrated into the submission. It is VERY important for students to visit the submission page early and begin uploads two weeks before the due date. Late submissions due to technical difficulties on the part of the applicant will NOT be accepted.

Portfolio of Images

The portfolio must include 13-16 electronic examples of the student’s creative work, consisting of a Design Project (including a writing sample) and works from FINE 2405 Introduction to Digital Design and FINE 2415 Typography. Two to five additional creative works may also be included within the maximum of 16 works altogether.

Course Transcripts

These may be official or unofficial transcripts from CU Denver and previous post-secondary institutions. The CU Denver transcript must show any current semester courses.

EVALUATION PROCESS

A committee of design faculty members reviews the portfolio and grades. For acceptance, the committee looks for an understanding of 2D design, writing and presentation skills.
If not admitted into the digital design minor, a student has the choice of attempting the review process again the following year or applying to another minor. Students not admitted into the digital design minor are encouraged to schedule a meeting with a digital design faculty member to learn of ways to improve portfolios for future submissions.

Broad criteria for the portfolio evaluation are as follows:

Process Research and Analysis - Does the portfolio demonstrate an ability to compile relevant information by identifying resources necessary to formulate a deeper understanding of context(s)?
Design Principles - Does the portfolio demonstrate awareness of design principles through various means of technical production and successful color experimentation?
Visual Literacy - Does the portfolio reflect sensitivity to design concepts and visual logic, and does it demonstrate fundamental understanding of composition? Does the work communicate effectively?
Use of Imagery - Does the portfolio demonstrate a student’s potential ability to create and develop visual form in response to communication problems?
Expressive Typography - Does the portfolio demonstrate a burgeoning awareness of the importance of risk-taking while solving typographic design problems?
Generating and Selecting Ideas - Does the portfolio demonstrate the student’s ability to generate multiple solutions to artistic problems and utilize process to select the most effective solutions?
Technical Skill - Does the portfolio reflect a strong knowledge of tools and materials and an aptitude for digital design skills?
Conceptual Skills - Do the portfolio and writing sample demonstrate analytical thinking as it applies to visual art and design? Is there a developing conceptual exploration of the digital medium?
Writing Sample - Does the writing demonstrate the student’s critical thinking skills regarding the work and ability to address an assignment in a notable way?
Presentation - Is the portfolio well-crafted and well organized in content and presentation? Are all of the required components included?
Academic Performance - Do the student’s grades reflect a commitment to learning and growth?

QUESTIONS

For more portfolio information, please contact CAM@ucdenver.edu or digital design area head Bryan Leister at bryan.leister@ucdenver.edu

General Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

CU Denver General Graduation Requirements
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Program Requirements

All courses for this minor must be taken at CU Denver unless approved otherwise by the digital design faculty advisor.
A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required for each course applied toward a College of Arts & Media major, minor or certificate requirement. A grade of C- (1.7) or lower will not fulfill a major, minor or certificate requirement. A grade of P is acceptable for courses in which the only grade available is Pass or Fail.
Students may use up to six semester hours to fulfill both major and minor requirements; the remaining semester hours for the minor must be taken in addition to major requirements.