Design, BA

Department of Design, College of Fine and Performing Arts

65 credits

Introduction

The Department of Design identifies design as the visual communication of ideas. The program utilizes a curriculum that emphasizes the process of problem solving and encourages students to make connections between culture and design, and their role as visual communicators. Students learn to combine personal expression and critical thinking as they create solutions that connect industry to an audience and themselves to the world.

Why Consider a Design Major?

Career opportunities are found in all segments of industry, both in the private and public sector. Western Design graduates go on to work in advertising agencies, design firms, in-house departments, as well as serving as private consultants in corporate identity, environmental graphic design, packaging, publication, UX and web design. They work as Designers, Project and Production Managers, Product Designers and Web and Interactive Designers.

Contact Information

Design Department Chair Cristina de Almeida Fine Arts 106C 360-650-3438 Cristina.deAlmeida@wwu.edu

Major Information: Fine Arts 127 360-650-7778 Design@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

Graphic Designer | Web Designer | Project Manager | Art Director | Digital Image Maker | Creative Director | Interactive Designer | UX/UI

Major/Career Resources

www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

To declare a Design major, application is made with a candidate statement and unofficial transcripts, portfolio of 12 personal works and a typographic hierarchy assignment. The portfolio will be reviewed by Design faculty and evaluated on the basis of a demonstrated understanding of the elements of visual communication, technical proficiency and originality. Application deadlines for the Design major is January 31 for current Western students, freshmen and transfer students planning to start in the fall. Portfolios must be received by the deadline, not postmarked by the deadline.

Apply online at cfpa.wwu.edu/design-application.

Grade Requirements

Majors must maintain a 2.50 GPA both overall and in design courses taken at Western. Students falling below the 2.50 average will be placed on probation; failure to bring the cumulative GPA up to 2.50 by the end of two subsequent quarters will result in removal from the major.

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.