Transfer students are not automatically accepted into the B.F.A. Design major and should plan to contact the Design Program Director as soon as acceptance to the University and the Art Department are certain in order to have their portfolios reviewed to avoid delay in academic progression. The goal of the Design program is to develop individuals as problem-solvers capable of creative, sensitive, and viable solutions to impact the built environment. Students are exposed to a broad range of issues including concept development, design for special populations, adaptive re-use, and historical context, and for a wide spectrum of design project types, e.g., in health care, educational, instututional, retail, corporate, residential, financial services and public organizations. Models, two-dimensional drawings, photography, verbal and writing skills are emphasized. The majority of majors take this option, which requires four intensive design studios followed by the B.F.A. Degree Project and Workshop.
All students are encouraged to undertake the practicum to provide a stronger link to the profession.
Ten percent of the students in the Design major elect to take the option in Architectural Studies. Design studios during the first year are taken with those in the Interior Design option followed by two semesters of Architectural Design studio. In addition, course work in engineering, physics, furniture design, statistics, etc. is selected as professional electives. Applicants considering this program should be recommended for admission to the Design program by the Director of Architectural Studies for consideration by the Design Area faculty. A fine arts studio background provides excellent opportunities in related areas such as graphic design, illustration, textiles, publications, advertising, and gallery work.