Specialization areas include industrial or product design, graphic design, web design, video game design, fashion design and marketing, costume design, interior design, architectural design, digital/ multimedia design, visual communications/ communication arts, advertising, applied photography, ceramics, fibre arts, illustration, metalsmithing, interdisciplinary design and design and technology. Specific focus on careers in the fashion, interior design, graphics, and entertainment industries.
Special Features
public exhibitions/ shows of student work
international exchange/ study abroad
co-op/ industry internships
The study of design and applied arts provides a wide variety of educational and career options for creative-minded students. Whether it's in a design College or School at a general education university, or at a university or college specializing only in art and design, you can enter the first year of the bachelor's program directly from high school.
Colleges devoted exclusively to art and design often offer a variety of degree programs, and large universities and 4-year colleges sometimes have Colleges or Schools dedicated to design and applied arts fields. These Schools may have different names, so be sure to look carefully! Whichever kind of 4-year college you choose, you can expect to find the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degree options with majors in design- and applied arts-related fields, as well as the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree with specialization options in areas like graphic design, industrial design, multimedia design, fashion design, game design, architectural design, digital/ multimedia design, visual communications/ communication arts, advertising, ceramics, fiber arts, illustration, metalsmithing and photography. The Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) may be offered in design and applied arts Colleges or Schools, and more career-focused 2-year associate's degrees are often available, such as the Associate of Arts (AA) or Science (AS) in many of the majors and specializations mentioned above. Some 4-year colleges also offer certificate programs in digital design, print design, web design, home interior design, and more.
Many community and career colleges also offer design and/ or applied arts programs, with some colleges dedicated solely to this field. Their programs are usually 2-year associate's degrees including the Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS) and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in fashion design and marketing, costume design, footwear design, visual communication, interior design, and more. Shorter diplomas and certificates may also be available. These programs prepare students for employment, but may also qualify for university transfer credit. Some community and career college programs also include business skills. Specialty art and deign community and career colleges may also offer Professional Designation Programs, which are transfer programs for those with an associate's degree who want to add a new field of specialization.
Most university- and college-level programs combine theoretical, historical and cultural learning with academic research skills and practical studio or lab work. Programs often culminate in public shows or performances of students' art. Students generally take core foundation courses before selecting a major. Field trips and study abroad sessions are sometimes optional, sometimes compulsory, so that you are exposed to important examples of design and applied art works "live." Class sizes are generally small, thereby providing an intimate and personal education that encourages exploration and development of your own artistic vision--vision that is reflected in the professional portfolio built up during the course of study. Co-ops and industry internships are also often part of the curriculum.
Colorado State University Life demands a degree of flexibility, and at Colorado State University (CSU) Continuing Education, online and distance learning programs and courses are designed to suit individual educational and career goals. ...
