Undergraduate Study in Design

Nov. 1st Scholarship | Admissions | Foundations | Non-Majors | Degrees Offered | Degree Check Sheets | Scholarships | Change of School Application | Essay and Portfolio Requirements

Undergraduate students who plan to major in design go through the same first year as those who plan on majoring in art.

After completing the first year Foundations program, students select majors in photomedia, ceramics, industrial design, metalsmithing/jewelry, textile design and theater design.

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the KU Department of Design is one of the oldest design programs in the nation.

Admissions

In addition to University admissions, prospective students should adhere to admissions requirements specific to the Department of Design.

All students will be considered for our annual Creative and Performing Arts scholarship.

Advanced Placement credit in Studio Art counts as general elective credit or studio credit but does not exempt a student from any of the Foundations courses.

Freshman and First year Students
Priority deadline is December 1 for Fall and October 1 for Spring. Please apply as early as possible. Visit the KU Admissions page for more information.

Transfer or Change of School Students
Priority deadline is December 1 for Fall and October 1 for Spring. Please apply as early as possible. Visit the KU Admissions page for more information.

Foundations

All entering freshmen in Art and Design are required to participate in a foundation curriculum offered through the Foundations program before enrolling in advanced art or design studio courses.

Freshmen complete Introduction to Drawing I and II, Introduction to Design I and II before enrolling in advanced art or design studio courses.

Freshmen typically enroll in these classes along with English, two semesters of Art History, and other Liberal Arts Electives.

Non-Majors

If a non-major is interested in taking an art or design class, he or she must get a special permission number from the instructor on the first day of class.

Limited spaces are available, and permission to join the class may be refused if the available instructional space does not allow the addition of more students.

Degrees Offered

The University of Kansas Department of Design offers the following concentrations:

• Ceramics (B.F.A.)
• Design (B.A.) - emphasis in ceramics, textiles, metals and jewelry
• Industrial Design (5-year program) (B.F.A.)
• Interaction Design (M.A.)
• Interior Design (B.F.A.)
• Management Design (M.A.)
• Metalsmithing and Jewelry (B.F.A.)
• Photomedia (B.A. | B.F.A.)
• Textile Design (B.F.A.)
• Theater Design (B.F.A.)
• Visual Arts Education (B.A.E.) - emphasis in ceramics, textiles, metals and jewelry
• Visual Communications (graphic design or illustration) (B.F.A.)

Degree Check Sheets

• Ceramics
• Design Management
• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Industrial Design
• Interaction Design
• Interior Design
• Metalsmithing
• Photomedia | B.A. | B.F.A. |
• Textiles
• Theater Design
• Visual Arts Education

Scholarships

Faculty can nominate students for the Design Department Scholarship Program.

Change of School Application

If you are a KU student and would like to change to the Department of Design, click here for application.

Contact

For more information, contact:
The University of Kansas
Rita Riley, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Murphy Hall, Room 450
Lawrence, KS 66045
Telephone: (785) 864-2954
Fax: (785) 864-5387
E-mail address: rriley@ku.edu

Hallmark Symposium
Art & Design Gallery
Lawrence Arts Center