PROGRAM TYPE
On Campus

DEGREES
BA

Contact

Darrell Matsumoto, MFA

Chair, Art and Design, Associate Professor of Photography, Director of Art Programs & Art Gallery

Department of Art & Design

(508) 849-3464

dmatsumoto@annamaria.edu

Academic Agreements

Accelerated Degree Program

Graphic Design | BA

Program Overview

The Department of Art and Design at Anna Maria College offers a modern comprehensive program in Graphic Design within a vibrant liberal arts college curriculum. Coursework and class related activities encourage the investigation of contemporary directions in art, imaging and visual communication in a wide range of media including print, interactive, web-based and motion graphics. Assignments promote the development of projects that address diverse approaches to successfully communicate complex ideas. Technology, theory and methodology are addressed as appropriate to the discipline to prepare students to succeed in a fast paced continually evolving technological and theoretical environment.

A solid foundation in the visual arts and advanced course work in aesthetics, art history and theory solidify the educational experience. Through the combined experience of professional practices, internships and senior project and exhibition, the students develop a cohesive portfolio for either admission to a graduate program or the pursuit of a career as a design professional. As this is a professional degree, students may wish to combine this program with a major or minor in Business.

Course of Study

CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS

Art/Design Competition

Art Center Gallery

Meet Our Faculty

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About the Department

The Department of Art and Design provides students with a broad-based liberal arts education infused with the principles of the Catholic intellectual tradition. Inclusive within the vibrant liberal arts education the department offers modern programs focused on specific professional skills in graphic design, media arts, photography, videography studio arts, self-designed program in the arts, and the therapeutic dimensions of art therapy.

There is an emphasis upon an interdisciplinary approach toward the visual arts and design, psychology and the creative arts therapies. In the classroom professors emphasize a broad understanding of the dignity of humankind, the importance of developing compassion, and the need to cultivate the awareness of just and ethical practice.

Essential to all programs is The Studio Model. In a studio course, students work in a specifically designed space which creates an open collaborative environment. This Studio Model provides an expansive and expressive atmosphere for learning. The studio environment allows open communication and constructive criticism to enrich and forward art practice. Imperative to the model is the required work outside of designated meeting times. The studio demands the constant process of production-critique-production, seeking feedback from all participants. The faculty teaches, guides, and nurtures the group or cohort.

In the junior and senior years, advanced course work is designed to run concurrently with community field placements to afford students the opportunity to observe and work alongside professionals. Each student’s placement in the community is chosen to directly reflect her/his interest and to provide a comprehensive and hands-on, team approach to learning. Students are placed by the College in appropriate settings and supervised by College personnel. The internships/practica are credit-bearing and are available to students in all of the above disciplines. Art Therapy placements range from public and private hospitals, community treatment centers providing therapeutic services to a wide range of clientele. Graphic Design Media Art, and Art internships provide students with real world experiences.

Additionally, students are encouraged to experience study abroad through programs ranging from summer study in the creative arts, to a spring break in Berlin, Paris or Vienna with our Urban Seminar program. It is important to note that Anna Maria College is a member of The American Art Therapy Association.

A bachelor’s degree from the Department of Art and Design prepares students for a wide range of graduate study and career options in art therapy, marketing/advertising/social media, creative industries, graphic design, media production, studio artist, or museum/gallery study.

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Curriculum Highlights

DES 110 – Typography I

Required

This course introduces students to the history, techniques, processes, terminology, and basic conceptual skills required when working with letter forms and typography. Students will learn skills necessary to create and use type effectively for communication as well as creatively as an art form. Studio fee.

3 credits

DES 140 – Graphic Design I

Required

This course introduces students to the techniques, processes, terminology, and basic compositional and conceptual skills required in the discipline. Emphasis is placed on
composition and conceptual development, leading to applications of principles of effective communication.

3 credits

DES 210 – Typography II

Required

This course further builds on the theory, history and practice of typography. The students will work with various contrasts, structural and proportional systems in relation to typography in modern and contemporary design.

3 credits

DES 240 – Graphic Design II

Required

This course is a continuation of DES 140 and requires students to apply knowledge gained in prerequisite and related courses. Emphasis is placed on conceptual problem solving through conventional and experimental methods.

3 credits

ART 239 – Videography I

Required

This is an introduction to digital video production and editing. We will examine and experience both the art and process of video production through hands-on exercises and assignments.

3 credits

DES 220 – Interactive Design

Required

This course explores the world of interactivity both inside and outside the realm of the web. Emphasis is placed on user experience, information hierarchy, communication, and interactivity as an art form.

3 credits

DES 251 – History of Graphic Design

Required

Surveying the history of graphic design through lectures. The course will study how graphic design responded to (and affected) international, social, political, and technological developments.

3 credits

DES 300 – Motion Graphics

Required

This course focuses on the creation of animation for distribution across the Web and other interactive venues.

3 credits

DES 315 – Packaging Design

Required

This course offers an opportunity to explore design in three dimensions. By building various structures, the student will hone craft skills and expand their knowledge of materials and how to use them.

3 credits

DES 499 – Design Internship

Required

Supervised work experience under qualified discipline appropriate professional and art faculty in a business setting such as a graphic design studio, advertising firm and printing house.

3 credits

Download Full Curriculum Map

Course Of Study

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of a Graphic Design degree, students will:

Demonstrate working knowledge of technologies and equipment applicable to their area(s) of specialization
Gain perceptual acuity, conceptual understanding, and the technical facility at a professional entry level in their chosen field(s). The ability to perceptively analyze works of art and design and critically evaluate its quality
Identify and describe the historical and cultural context of art and design
Demonstrate functional competence with principles of visual organization, including the ability to work with visual elements and its application in drawing, two-dimensions and three-dimensions, color theory, and digital arts
Work independently to conceptualize, research, and produce a variety of art and design projects
Construct meaningful images in response to communication objectives that demonstrates the ability to apply the principles of visual organization/composition, information hierarchy, symbolic representation, typography, and aesthetics

Art Portfolio Guidelines

We encourage the submission of an Art/Design Portfolio, as a valuable part of the admissions process. This allows the College and the Department of Art & Design to gain insight on your application.

Click here to submit your portfolio.

Portfolios are now reviewed via SlideRoom. Please visit SlideRoom to upload your images now!

Digital media portfolios and portfolios submitted using the form must adhere to the following guidelines:

Images: individual .jpg files titled with your name and image number, 2MB maximum size
Include: size, media, and date of completion
Video or Time Based Performances: Quick Time or .mpg

Physical portfolios and digital media are accepted as well.
If you wish to present a physical portfolio or schedule an appointment to meet with Darrell Matsumoto, Director of Art & Design, please email dmatsumoto@annamaria.edu.
If you wish to send us your portfolio on a flash drive, please include a Word document listing the title, size, media, and date of your work.
Please direct questions to David Wackell at dwackell@annamaria.edu.

Please address physical portfolio submissions to:

c/o David Wackell
Box E
Department of Art and Design
Anna Maria College
50 Sunset Lane
Paxton, MA 01612

Scholarships are also awarded every January to select students participating in the Secondary School Art Scholarship Competition. Please see accordion menu below for a complete prospectus and submission form.

New England Secondary School Art/Design Competition

Deadline for Entries: December 6, 2024
Virtual Exhibition Dates: December 18, 2024 – March 5, 2025
ZOOM Awards Presentation: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

Learn More

Art Center Gallery

Director: Darrell Matsumoto, MFA

Art Center Gallery in Miriam Hall at Anna Maria College serves as the venue for numerous art and design exhibitions throughout the year, to support the intellectual and cultural life of the College and surrounding community. Of special note, the gallery presents special exhibitions, which showcase the contemporary work of practicing artists and designers, which also includes a published catalogue.

View our exhibitions below.

2024 Fall - 2025 Spring

2024 Fall – 2025 Spring

View Gallery

2023 Fall - 2024 Spring

2023 Fall – 2024 Spring

View Gallery

2022 Fall - 2023 Spring

2022 Fall – 2023 Spring

View Gallery

2021 Fall - 2022 Spring

2021 Fall – 2022 Spring

View Gallery

2020 Fall - 2021 Spring

2020 Fall – 2021 Spring

View Gallery

2019 Fall - 2020 Spring

2019 Fall – 2020 Spring

View Gallery

2018 Fall - 2019 Spring

2018 Fall – 2019 Spring

View Gallery

2017 Fall - 2018 Spring

2017 Fall – 2018 Sprin

View Gallery

2016 Fall - 2017 Spring

2016 Fall – 2017 Spring

View Gallery

Self-Designed Major

Suggestions for Self-Design Majors

Photography/Video
Painting/Mixed Media
Sculpture/Installation Art
Digital Arts
Performance Art
Art and Business

Self-Design Program Outcomes

Identify and describe the historical and cultural context of art and design
Demonstrate working knowledge of technologies and equipment applicable to their area(s) of specialization
Demonstrate perceptual acuity, conceptual understanding, and the technical facility at a professional entry level in their chosen field(s). The ability to perceptively analyze works of art and design and to critically evaluate its quality
Demonstrate functional competence with principles of visual organization, including the ability to work with visual elements and its application in drawing, two-dimensions and three-dimensions, color theory, and digital arts
Work independently on a variety of art and design projects. The ability to conceptualize, research, and produce an independent project. Produce a capstone exhibition and portfolio

Art and Design Minors

Students interested in art who major in another field may minor in art. An art minor may be of particular interest to the Liberal Studies major who wishes to engage in a creative endeavor, or the business major who may find art and design skills an asset for a career in marketing, advertising, or public relations. A portfolio presentation of basic artistic skills is required to declare a minor in art.

Students interested in art who major in another field may minor in art. An art minor may be of particular interest to all majors who wishes to engage in a creative endeavor. The Art Minor is perfect complement to any major.

ART 101 Drawing I
ART 103 Fundamentals of Design and Color
DES 103 Introduction to Digital Design
ART 204 Introduction to Sculpture and Clay
ART Elective
Art History Elective

This minor and the course selection is designed to provide the Visual Art major with the necessary foundation in psychology, forming an excellent introduction to the field of Art Therapy. Note: Students must have completed PSY101, PSY207 or PSY215 prior to ATH courses.

ATH 150 Methods, Material, and Techniques for Art Therapists
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
PSY 207 Child Development or PSY215 Psychology of Adolescence
PSY 306 Abnormal Psychology
ATH 201 Art Therapy I
ATH 202 Art Therapy II

A minor in Graphic Design may be of particular interest to students in the art or business programs, providing them with knowledge of technology coupled with design relevant to both the creative and professional worlds.

Requirements for Art majors:

DES 140 Introduction to Graphic Design
DES 251 History of Graphic Design
DES 210 Typography II
ART 248 Introduction to Digital Photography
DES ___ Upper-level Graphic Design course
Business or Marketing elective

Requirements for non-Art majors:

ART 101 Fundamentals of Design and Color
DES 103 Introduction to Digital Design
ART 248 Introduction to Digital Photography
DES 140 Introduction to Graphic Design
DES ___ Upper-level Graphic Design course
Business or Marketing elective

This minor is designed for any student interested in the study of Photography and Videography. The minor will provide a solid foundation in the lens and light arts, which has a myriad of applications in our media driven society.