Learn about the elective courses offered by the School of Visual Arts
Graphic Design
Graphic Design electives enhance students’ knowledge of traditional print design with exposure to a variety of media creation methods and platforms. Offerings range from web and publication design to animation and video art.
Boston University School of Visual arts is committed to educating students about the latest developments in interactive Graphic Design. Graphic Design majors can enhance their knowledge of traditional print media with exposure to a variety of media creation methods and platforms.
Course Selections
AR 123 – Foundation Design: Introductory Principles, Practices (2cr)
AR 389 – Graphic Design Elective (4cr) Summer only
AR 502 – Branding (2cr)
AR 524 – Business Information Design (4cr) Summer only
AR 527 – Drawing into Animation (4cr)
AR 571 – Exhibition Design (2cr)
AR 576 – Motion Graphics (2cr)
AR 577 – Editorial Publication (2cr)
AR 580 – History of Graphic Design (4cr)
AR 581 – Web Design (4cr)
AR 587 – Information Design (2cr)
AR 589 – Interactive Design (2cr)
AR 595 – Visual Systems (2cr)
AR 597 – Experience Design (2cr)
Painting & Drawing
Drawing and painting courses are fundamental ingredients of every BFA student’s visual arts education.
Drawing and painting courses are fundamental components of every BFA student’s visual arts education. Boston University School of Visual Arts offers a wide selection of advanced painting and drawing courses that direct, complement, and refine the pursuit and practice of each major discipline.
Course Selections
AR 236 – Anatomy for the Artist (4cr)
AR 238 – Drawing Concepts (4cr)
AR 239 – Figure Drawing (4cr)
AR 428/528 Architectural Site Design (4cr)
AR 432 – Advanced Drawing (2cr)
AR 469 – Color Theory (4cr)
AR 512 – Architectural Design (4cr)
AR 527 – Drawing into Animation (4cr)
AR 547 – Painting Techniques I (2cr)
AR 548 – Painting Techniques II (2cr)
Photography
Photography electives offered through the School of Visual Arts provide a selection of courses ranging from traditional black-and-white film-based photography, to digital, using the latest RAW image capture techniques.
Photography electives offered through the School of Visual Arts provide a selection of courses ranging from traditional black-and-white film-based photography, to digital, using the latest RAW image capture techniques. Photography courses are designed to provide students with basic photography skills and techniques while supporting their artistic endeavors, which range from personal interest to professional skills for the marketplace.
Curriculum & Facilities
Photography courses are held in a spacious light-filled studio, providing ample room and equipment for student use. The facilities include 15 enlargers and darkrooms for black-and-white film development. There is also a digital photography studio featuring Apple computers, scanners, and the latest ink-jet printers. Gallery space provides students with an opportunity for critique and display.
Course Selections
AR 415 – Photography 1 (4cr)
AR 508 – The Experimental Photograph (4cr)
AR 510 – Photo Lab (2cr)
AR 515 – Digital Photo (4cr)
Printmaking
Printmaking courses span both traditional and contemporary techniques including etching, relief, lithography, monotype, screen, book arts, photo-processes, and digital printmaking.
The Printmaking department offers a large selection of elective courses accessible to all majors and to University students. We also offer a Printmaking Minor program, which is available to all students. Printmaking courses are designed to amplify a student’s artistic interests and understanding of the process, and to support the development of a personal artistic vision.
Curriculum & Facilities
Printmaking courses span both traditional and contemporary techniques including etching, relief, lithography, monotype, screen, book arts, photo-processes, and digital printmaking.
The School of Visual Arts offers state-of-the-art facilities in a light filled space, as well as ample equipment for individual student use. The facilities are thoroughly ventilated, and include six etching presses, four lithography presses, a letterpress, a dedicated acid room, a darkroom, a screen lab, and a digital print facility with 12 work stations. The print studios at SVA are a common facility that creates a fertile cross-major setting in which students share ideas, techniques, and processes.
Printmaking Minor
Undergraduates pursuing a BFA or BA degree in the School of Visual Arts may elect to complete a minor in printmaking by taking a selection of printmaking courses totaling 20 credits. The drawing courses AR 131 and 132 are strongly recommended prerequisites for printmaking minors. It is suggested to begin with CFA AR250 Introduction to Printmaking.
Course Selections
AR 250/AR 251 – Introduction to Printmaking (4cr/2cr)
AR 270 – Bookmaking Techniques (2cr)
AR 425 – The Artist and the Book (4cr)
AR 447 – Printmaking I (Intaglio processes and Monotype) (4cr)
AR 448 – Printmaking I (Relief processes and Lithography) (4cr)
AR 450 – The Art of the Multiple (4cr)
AR 451/AR 452 – Printmaking II (Advanced study, all processes) (var)
AR 517 – Digital Printmaking (4cr)
AR 518 – Silkscreen Printmaking (4cr)
All printmaking courses taken in the Venice study abroad program are eligible.
Special Opportunities and Events
- The SVA Printmaking Department participates in the biannual Arches Student Print Exhibition organized by the Boston Printmakers, a regional competition for young artists, where SVA students have frequently won awards.
- Visiting artists in Printmaking have included William Kentridge, Andrew Raftery, Pat Steir, Bodo Korsig, Ingrid Ledent, Sidney Hurwitz, Nancy Palmeri, Alicia Candiani, and Carol Wax.
- SVA’s study abroad program in Venice offers printmaking courses to students studying abroad.
- Printmaking students organize public print projects for community events such as Earth Day and World Aids Day.
- Exchange print portfolios have been created with elementary and high schools in Boston and universities abroad.
Sculpture
Boston University School of Visual Arts is committed to giving students practical experience in a variety of sculptural media. Traditional carving and sculpting techniques are bolstered by electives in glassblowing, welding, installation and more.
Curriculum & Facilities
Welding
An introduction to the construction of steel sculpture produced through oxy-gas and arc welding (mig and stick). Students work with some forging and machine shop practices.
Ceramics
In ceramics courses, student are introduced to ceramics as a sculptural medium, exploring traditional and experimental hand-building techniques, as well as glaze chemistry.
EPIC
The Sculpture program regularly works with EPIC (Engineering Product Innovation Center), a pioneering facility at Boston University for fabrication that offers laser cutting, 3D printing, robotic manufacturing, and more.
Course Selections
AR 221 – Materials and Methods in Sculpture (4cr)
AR 223 – Installation Art (4cr)
AR 327 – Sculpture Techniques (4cr)
AR 224 – New Genres in Sculpture (4cr)
AR 470/AR 471 – Ceramics 1 (4cr/2cr)