Program Mission
Longwood University’s Graphic and Animation Design (GAND) program provides students with a rigorous and comprehensive four-year education in either Graphic Design, Animation, Simulation and Time-based Media, or Motion Design.
Our primary mission is to prepare students to be able to think critically, communicate both visually and in writing, and to be able to engage in-and execute-a systematic approach to visual problem solving. This includes effective research and cross disciplinary problem solving methodologies, concept generation, concept development and critical analysis.
Students are provided with a solid foundation in traditional and digital craft and tools skills. We promote exploration, the use of narrative and storytelling, organization, and visual information systems to be able to craft an appropriate message for a specific audience.
The GAND program was developed around contemporary methods and practices, and encourages students to compete nationally in refereed competitions, and through real client interaction with the student-run agency Design Lab.
The GAND program, in conjunction with an excellent liberal arts foundation and the program’s emphasis on interdisciplinary electives, aims to graduate students with the skills and nimble thinking to excel in the marketplace of today and tomorrow.
Student Assessments
As a graduation requirement, all students must participate in, and pass each of the five levels of the Graphic and Animation Design’s (GAND) portfolio assessments. At each of the five assessment levels, students must present work that is predetermined by the faculty. The assessment evaluations are scored as either pass, no-pass, or conditional no-pass. See “Evaluation scores explained” for definitions of each evaluation score.
Each student must register for the appropriate zero-credit class for each level of assessment. The zero-credit classes are used to prevent students who have received a no-pass for an assessment from advancing to the next level in the GAND program. Since the class is zero credit, there is no cost for the class, and because it is pass or no-pass it does not affect the student’s GPA. Each student will register for the appropriate zero-credit class when they register for classes in each of their assessment semesters. Beginning with the Third-year Assessment, students will register for the appropriate section of the zero-credit class in their area of study in one of the three concentrations: Brand Identity and Media Design or Animation, Simulation and Time-Based Media Design or Graphic, Animation, and Motion Design.
Zero-credit Class Schedule
GAND 100 - First-year Portfolio Assessment
GAND 200 - Second-year Portfolio Assessment
GAND 300 - Third-year Portfolio Assessment - choose the section specific to the student’s area of study. Participation in the Junior Show is mandatory to pass Third-year Assessment.
GAND 350 - Senior Project Mid-Assessment - choose the section specific to the student’s area of study.
GAND 400 - Senior Project Final Assessment - choose the section specific to the student’s area of study. Participation in the Senior Show is mandatory to pass Senior Assessment.
Transfer students must contact the Theatre, Art, and Graphic and Animation Design Department Chair, who will route them to the appropriate faculty, who will determine what assessments the students must complete for graduation. This contact is the responsibility of the student and should occur shortly after the student is admitted into the Longwood GAND program. A review of the transfer student’s portfolio may be required to determine what assessments are required.
The five levels of assessment are usually offered twice a year: in the fall, after Fall Break (for students whose first semester at Longwood was in the previous spring), and in the spring, in the week prior to Spring Break (for student whose first semester at Longwood was the previous fall.)
The five levels of assessment progress as follows:
- First-year Portfolio Assessment - Six to eight works from the student’s first year GAND courses- GAND 101 , GAND 102 , GAND 103 , GAND 104 GAND 104 , GAND 105 , and GAND 204 -are assessed.
- Second-year Portfolio Assessment - Five to seven works from the student’s second-year GAND courses are assessed.
- Third-year Portfolio Assessment - The focus of this assessment is the evaluation of the student’s Senior Project Proposal, and additional work from the student’s third-year GAND courses are assessed.
- Senior Project Mid-Assessment - The focus of this assessment is the evaluation of the student’s Senior Project at its mid-point.
- Senior Project Final Assessment - The focus of this assessment is the evaluation of the student’s completed Senior Project.
Evaluation scores explained
- A pass permits the student to progress to the next level and continue to take GAND classes.
- A conditional no-pass is granted only if the assessing faculty members believe the problems with the work can be improved in the remaining weeks before the end of the semester. If a conditional no-pass is granted, the student will be reassessed. The student will be informed as to what must be improved, and a date and time for the reassessment will be set. The reassessment will take place within the remaining weeks before the end of the semester and by the original assessors.
- A no-pass stops the student from advancing to the next level in the GAND programs for one year. In that year, the student must take GAND electives and other university courses, but not any of the GAND Core courses. Only one no-pass assessment is permitted. A second no-pass results in the student losing the opportunity to major in GAND. Any student receiving a no-pass in an assessment must wait one year before that student is eligible to be reassessed.
Transfer Students
The Graphic and Animation Design BFA degree program is a four-year course of study in graphic, animation, and motion design. Therefore, a transfer student can expect to spend a minimum of three to three and a half years within the GAND program. A student planning to transfer to the Longwood’s GAND program is encouraged to contact the Chair of the Department of Theatre, Art, and Graphic and Animation Design who will route them to the appropriate GAND faculty for questions about the student’s transfer plans.
Course Requirements
All Graphic and Animation Design majors will receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. The Longowood Civitae Core Curriculum requirements must be completed by GAND students regardless of their concentration: Brand Identity and Media Design; Animation, Simulation and Time-based Media; or Graphic, Animation, and Motion Design.
To satisfy major requirements for graduation, students majoring in Graphic and Animation Design must earn a grade no less than C in all GAND courses. The student bears full responsibility for meeting all graduation requirements.
Additionally, as a graduation requirement, all students must participate in, and pass, five annual portfolio assessments.
Every attempt has been made to state the major requirements as clearly as possible. However, it is strongly recommended that every student majoring in Graphic and Animation Design maintain close communication with the academic advisor assigned in order to plan their program in a fashion best suited to the student’s individual goals and needs. The faculty stands ready to assist any student in this regard.
Additional Requirements
Field trips in some lecture and studio classes may involve a nominal cost for the students. Students are required to furnish all necessary supplies and some tools. However, most items are purchased with a studio fee, which allows students to benefit from bulk purchases and also have the convenience of the materials being readily available.
Course fees will be assessed depending on the class and the materials supplied. A list of these fees is available from the Dean’s Office and the Department of Theatre, Art, and Graphic and Animation Design office. Any student enrolled in a GAND class after the end of the “add period” must pay this fee. To avoid the fee, it is imperative that the student be officially withdrawn from the class prior to this deadline. This rule will be strictly enforced and no exceptions made since these funds must be spent early in the semester to insure the availability of student supplies for the classes. Students who withdraw after the deadline will have the option of obtaining their share of the purchased materials.
