Web Design Concentration Added to Graphic Design BFA
Watkins College of Art, Design & Film is adding a new concentration in web design to its curriculum beginning in the Spring 2012 semester, it was announced by Ellen L. Meyer, president of Watkins. The college received approval for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, Web Design Concentration from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the national accrediting agency for art and design and art and design-related disciplines.
Complementing the college’s present Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, the Web Design Concentration will provide an opportunity for students to develop competence and skill as web designers and web developers, as well as acquire knowledge of graphic design essentials such as typography, graphic design theory and illustration.
“Since the beginning of time, the paradigms of art, design and education have dramatically mirrored the consciousness of civilization,” said President Meyer. “It is in this context that we embrace new technologies and web design.”
Dan Brawner, professor and chair of the graphic design department, will oversee the concentration; courses will be taught by assistant professor Judith Sweeney O’Bryan and associate professor Steve Wilkison.
“Today, it would be ill-advised to enter into the graphic design profession without a keen understanding of web design and web development. Like all aspects of graphic design, web design requires creative/critical thinking, excellent design, typographic craft, compelling imagery and great concepts,” said Professor Brawner. “Our new Web Design Concentration provides our students the knowledge, experience, skills and tools that will prepare for successful entry into the workplace upon graduation.”
Students who elect to participate in the new Web Design Concentration will complete the current core Web Development courses as well as additional advanced, in-depth classes such as HTML5 and CSS3, WordPress, PHP and MySql, Flash and jQuery.
Spring 2012 classes begin on January 12.
About the department
Watkins Graphic Design students and alumni are consistently among the most honored in the country through their submissions to regional, national and international advertising design competitions, particularly in the professional and student categories of the ADDY awards (hosted by the American Advertising Federation). At the 2011 Nashville Student Addys, nearly two-thirds of Watkins entries received gold or silver honors.
Watkins students continue to blanket Nashville and the region with their intelligence, visual wit, and creativity through unique opportunities with several beloved Nashville community events. In the past year, their talents have been chosen to promote signature happenings such as the American Artisan Festival, the Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, Music City Hot Chicken Festival, Nashville Sister Cities Program, Nashville Symphony and Nashville Opera performances, and Murfreesboro’s JazzFest, among others.