Photo- & Lens- Based Design

Photo & Lens-Based Design is the art of visualizing and creating dynamic, persuasive imagery. Photo & Lens-Based Design has never been more powerful and prevalent in modern society than it is today.

The Photo- & Lens- Based Design program at BYU caters to a wide variety of interests across a broad spectrum of careers. Students are engaged through hands-on activities (in class, in studio, and on location), instructor/peer critiques, and portfolio-focused assignments as a means of bridging the gap between being a student and functioning within a professional industry. Through their studies, students mature in technical, aesthetic, and conceptual aspects of image- making in a variety of technologies—ranging from analog to digital. Assignments, critiques, and experiences are designed to aid individuals in further developing their creative practice, personal vision, fluency in the language and craft of photo and lens-based media, and how their work functions in a wider cultural context.

How Do I Get Into The Major?

STEPS:

1. Apply and be accepted to BYU

2. Sign up as a PRE-Photo- & Lens- Based Design major online through your mymap or at the advisement center - 1090 WCCB.

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PRE-MAJOR

DESPH 116

3. This is the first step towards your Photo- & Lens- Based Design BFA: take DESPH 116.

4. Apply for the PRE-BFA in December, April, or June.

(you can only apply twice)

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PRE-BFA

DESPH 120

DESPH 260

5. The Pre-BFA is the next step towards the Photo- & Lens- Based Design BFA, once you are accepted, then take the two courses listed: DESPH 120 & 260.

6. Apply for the BFA in June

(you can only apply twice).

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BFA

Take classes in the Photo- & Lens- Based Design BFA major starting Fall Semester with your fellow BFA student cohort.

I'm In Now What?

Internships

Students accepted in the BFA Photo- & Lens-Based Design program are required to complete an academic internship prior to graduation. An internship provides students with crucial professional abilities, including design skill application in a real working environment, communication skills, and effective collaboration.

Additionally, during their internship while still in the program, students are encouraged to network with these studios and professionals to build their connections to artistic communities

Capstone

Prior to graduation, Photo- & Lens- Based Design BFA students complete an advanced individual project in photography on a topic of their choosing which includes developing personal research, project implementation, and a public exhibition.

After Graduation

Jobs

Graduates from the BFA Photo- & Lens- Based Design program have an understanding on creative and expressive forms of contemporary photography, cinematography, and motion design as a means of preparing for a broad spectrum of careers. This includes all genres of commercial/advertising (both freelance and in-house), editorial, fashion, documentary, fine art, and multimedia production. Graduates of the program have successfully entered and maintained professions in product, food, architectural, sports, journalistic reportage, artistic, and portrait (wedding/bridal/family/etc. ) photography. Other occupations include cinematographers, digital retouchers, in-house content creators (still and video), photo editors, and studio managers. Graduates have also gone on to continue their educations—earning Master of Fine Art degrees to pursue careers in higher education

Alumni

BFA Photo- & Lens- Based Design Alumni go on to work in major advertising, independent, fine art, and freelance studios. Other occupations include cinematographers, digital retouchers, in-house content creators (still and video), photo editors, and studio managers. Graduates have also gone on to continue their educations—earning Master of Fine Art degrees to pursue careers in higher education