Printmaking
The BFA in Printmaking is a professional undergraduate degree for students desiring extensive studio experience with an emphasis in Printmaking. Students in the program develop critical thinking skills, refine their intellectual and creative processes, and learn both traditional and contemporary aspects of the printmaker's craft.
The Printmaking curriculum provides a broad and intensive experience for printmaking majors and studio elective opportunities for other fine arts, Visual Communication Design, and Art Education students. Course work in lithography and etching is offered at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels every semester. Processes covered include plate and stone lithography and the intaglio processes of etching, engraving, and aquatint. Additional courses include printing in monotype, woodcut, and silkscreen. Spacious, well-equipped, accessible facilities for the study of these traditional approaches to printmaking are augmented by additional facilities for the investigation of digital and photomechanical processes.
Basic courses establish a solid, comprehensive foundation of traditional technical skills unique to the printed image, while instruction emphasizes the development of drawing, self-expression, and concept. At the intermediate and advanced levels, students continue to acquire new technical skills. There is extensive work in color, as the emphasis shifts to imagery, concept, and critical thinking.
Advanced students are given considerable autonomy, working largely in self-defined directions in consultation with faculty while focusing on printing technologies most appropriate for individual development. Group critiques, field trips, portfolio projects, student exhibition opportunities, and workshops and lectures by visiting artists complement the studio experience by providing critical discussion, participation, incentives, and role models.
For the most current curriculum, please see the Herron website. For the recommended four-year plan of study, please refer to IU Indianapolis degree map. The BFA degree requirements meet the standards established by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design for professional undergraduate degrees in the Fine Arts.
Degree requirements
General Education
30 credits corresponding to IU Indianapolis' Indiana College Core.
Foundation Studies
19 credits
Art History, Theory, and Criticism
Credits distributed as follows:
• HER-H101 History of Art I (3 cr.) (may be used to fill Arts/Humanities General Education requirement)
• HER-H102 History of Art 2 (3 cr.) (may be used to fill Arts/Humanities General Education requirement)
• HER-H205 Introduction to Contemporary Art (3 cr.)
• HER-HXXX Art History electives (6 cr.)
Professional and career preparation
HER-X201 Professional Practice in Visual Arts I
HER-X301 Professional Practice in Visual Arts II
HER-X410 Senior Capstone Focus
Major Studio Requirements
• HER-G201 Etching I (3 cr.)
• HER-G202 Lithography I (3 cr)
• HER-G301 Etching 2 (3 cr.)
• HER-G302 Lithography 2 (3 cr.)
• HER-G303 Etching 3 (3 cr.)
• HER-G304 Lithography 3(3 cr.)
• HER-G401 Printmaking 3 (6 cr.)
• HER-G402 Printmaking 4 (6 cr.)
Studio Art Electives
27 credits, of which 3 must be N208 Integrative Studio Lab: Rotating Topics (3 cr.)
Non-Studio requirements
6 credits
• English Literature Course (3 cr.)
• Academic elective (3 cr.) Total: 125 credits
Last update: March 2024
