Program Overview

Introduction to the Design, BFA Program

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design is a professional degree for students admitted to the major. The curriculum follows a structured sequence of classes that builds upon the knowledge and skills from the previous courses. Courses in the senior year focus on the integration of graphic design and digital media design in the solution of advanced visual communication problems.

Admission Criteria

Students first apply to the program as pre-majors through a portfolio review that takes place in the spring quarter. Admitted pre-majors start the following fall taking a series of 200-level lecture and project-based design classes during the fall and winter quarters. At the end of the winter quarter, students must submit a portfolio of completed work and/or work in progress from DSGN 210, 212, 213, and 230. The portfolios are reviewed by the faculty, who evaluates the potential of the student to succeed in the program. Admission to the major is selective and limited by space and resource availability.

Student Resources

• Department website: Design
• Department advising: Visit the Admission section of the Design website.
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample Careers:
  • Graphic Designer
  • Creative Director
  • Project Manager
  • Web Designer
  • Interactive Designer
  • UX/UI Designer
  • Motion Designer
  • Product Designer
  • Environmental Designer
  • Publication Designer
  • Illustrator

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)

The pre-major application process takes place in early spring quarter. Students must submit an application including a candidate’s statement, unofficial transcripts, and a portfolio of personal work. Incoming Freshmen are encouraged to submit their pre-major application concurrently with their application to WWU. Portfolios are reviewed by the design faculty once a year. By mid-spring quarter, applicants will be notified of the results. Admission is selective and limited by space availability.

Major Application

The BFA degree application is made with a portfolio composed of completed work and/or work in progress from DSGN 210, DSGN 212, DSGN 213, and DSGN 230. 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, creativity, problem-solving, and professionalism.

Grade Requirements

Pre-majors and 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 all design courses.

Requirements (115-122 credits)

Pre-Major (26 credits)

• DSGN 111 - Design View (Credits: 3)
• DSGN 210 - Design Technology (Credits: 5)
• DSGN 211 - Foundations of Visual Communication (Credits: 3)
• DSGN 212 - Graphic Design 1 (Credits: 5)
• DSGN 213 - Drawing (Credits: 5)
• DSGN 230 - Type 1 (Credits: 5)

Major (89-96 credits)

• DSGN 310 - Principles of Interaction Design (Credits: 3)
• DSGN 312 - Graphic Design in the 20th Century (Credits: 4)
• DSGN 331 - Type 2 (Credits: 5)
• DSGN 340 - Graphic Design 2 (Credits: 5)
• DSGN 341 - Graphic Design 3 (Credits: 5)
• DSGN 351 - Design Production (Credits: 5)
• DSGN 362 - Motion 1 (Credits: 5)
• DSGN 363 - Motion 2 (Credits: 5)
• DSGN 371 - Digital Design 1 (Credits: 5)
• DSGN 372 - Digital Design 2 (Credits: 5)
• DSGN 382 - Professional Practices (Credits: 4)
• DSGN 481 - BFA Workshop (Credits: 2)
• DSGN 483 - Senior Seminar (Credits: 6) (must complete 24 credits toward the major)
• DSGN 486 - Portfolio (Credits: 6)

Professional Development (3-10 credits)

• Students must complete 3-10 credits from the following courses:
  • DSGN 368 - Professional Practices for Illustrators (Credits: 3)
  • DSGN 375 - Summer Design Abroad (Credits: 7)
  • DSGN 390 - Topics in Design (Credits: 3-5)
  • DSGN 489 - Internship (Credits: 1-10)
  • DSGN 490 - Visual Lab (Credits: 3)

Electives (3 credits)

• Students must complete 3 credits of any A/HI 200-level course.

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.

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement