Mar 28, 2024  
2013-2014 Catalog 
    
2013-2014 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Design, BFA


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Study

Department of Design, College of Fine and Performing Arts

115 Credits

Introduction/What is the Study of Design?

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design is the professional degree option for students admitted to the Bachelor of Arts in Design. The BFA degree option is a highly competitive degree limited to a maximum of 18 students per year. Courses in the senior year focus on the integration of graphic, production and digital media design in the solution of visual communication problems. 

To earn the BFA students must submit a portfolio of selected work from 200- and 300-level classes. Application to the BFA in Design is made during winter quarter of the junior year and portfolios are reviewed by the Design faculty. All students must begin their BFA studies in the spring quarter of the junior year to prepare them for the summer-only Internship requirement. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design degree requires each student to complete the following program:

Why Consider a Design Major and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree? 

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, web and interactive design firms, paper companies, printing firms, as well as serving as private consultants in corporate identity, environmental graphic design, packaging, user-interface and interactive design, publication and web design. They work as Print, Web, Motion graphics, and Interactive Designers, Design Educators, Project and Production Managers, and Digital Image Makers.

 Contact Information

Design Department Chair
Elsi Vassdal-Ellis
Fine Arts 116
360-650-3674
Elsi.Vassdal-Ellis@wwu.edu

Major Information:
Fine Arts 116
360-650-3660
Design@wwu.edu

 Sample Careers

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

 Major/Career Resources

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

The BFA degree application is made with a portfolio composed of completed work and/or work in progress from DSGN 330, 340, 351, 360 and 361. 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, originality, problem-solving and professionalism. The BFA applications will be reviewed during winter quarter. Deadlines will be posted in the department office and announced in design classes. Portfolios must be received by the announced deadline.

Send application to:
Design BFA Review Committee
Western Washington University, Department of Design
Fine Arts Complex, Room 116
516 High Street
Bellingham, WA 98225-9068

Grade Requirements

Majors must maintain a 2.50 grade point average 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.

Departmental Honors


In addition to the general requirements for all honors students, a design major who wishes to graduate with honors must complete an honors senior project in design.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Study