Because design, as a professional activity, is interdisciplinary by nature, the Art + Design curriculum offers an educational structure that creates a new art and design professional: one for whom artistic and practical talents are developed as different expressions of one's potentiality.

An artist-designer is a creative practitioner and image-maker who brings form to emotions and ideas. There is, however, a difference between a traditional artist and an artist-designer: the artist-designer's visual message does not have to be personal, as they work for another, giving form to expressions or ideas of their client. In short, the artist-designer is a visual translator.

Department of Art + Design Areas of Concentrations

Media Arts:
Animation
Computer Imaging
Interactive Design
Illustration
Photography
Advanced Media Lab
Art+Design Animation Podcast
(Requires iTunes Application)

Textile Design:
Weaving
Fiber Arts
Surface Design
Anni Albers Scholars Program (double degree)

Traditional Art + Design:
Painting
Drawing
Printmaking
Sculpture

Design Studies:

The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Design Studies is a non-studio, liberal arts program that provides an interdisciplinary orientation to the history and theory of the design disciplines, material culture and design thinking. Design Studies focuses on the properties of objects and environments as reflections of the social, historical, technological and physical contexts in which they are produced. It presents the formative role of design in shaping human values and experiences. This major is for students whose interests and talents in design are more general, cross-disciplinary, and span the five disciplines offered in the College of Design.

Design Studies is not a transitional program from which to transfer into one of the studio-based degree programs in the College of Design. Design Studies students who wish to change majors will need to apply for competing seats in the freshmen class of a studio-based program and are subject to the select admissions process that requirements a portfolio review.

The curriculum offers three paths:
Bachelor in Design Studies

Includes Design Foundations, 30 hours of Advised Design Elections in three units, Application, Theory and History and an International Experience.

Bachelor of Design Studies with a Concentration in Business Administration

Includes 15 hours of Business Administration courses equivalent to a minor taught by the College of Management. 15 hours of Advised Design Elections in the three units: Application, Theory and History and an International Experience.

Bachelor of Design Studies with a Concentration in Non-Profit Studies

Includes 15 hours of Non-Profit courses equivalent to a minor in Non-Profit Studies taught by the College of Humanities and Social Science. 15 hours of Advised Design Elections in the three units: Application, Theory and History and an International Experience.

The Department of Art + Design, like each program of the College of Design, has a unique procedure for Admissions.