Azusa Pacific University
Design Studies Major
DURATION
Request duration
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Feb 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
06 Jan 2025
TUITION FEES
Request tuition fees
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* spring semester
Introduction
Program at a Glance
The School of the Arts develops students’ talents through rich artistic experiences and comprehensive training in their chosen artistic discipline.
Program Information
- Program Units: 50
- Location: Azusa (Main Campus)
Gain Hands-on Experience
- Develop a wide range of visual communication products.
- Work on projects that promote humanitarian organizations, confront social issues, and encourage responsible interaction with life’s challenges.
- Ask the “what if” questions that motivate creativity.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
School of the Arts Design Scholarship
This talent-based scholarship is renewable up to eight semesters and can be awarded in addition to any other academic merit scholarships and need-based aid.
2024-25 Academic Scholarships
| Scholarships | Amount | Class Standing | Renewability |
| Trustees’ Scholarship | Full Tuition | Incoming Freshman | Up to four years |
| President’s Scholarship | $24,000 per year | Incoming Freshman or Transfer | Up to four years |
| Provost’s Scholarship | $21,000 per year | Incoming Freshman or Transfer | Up to four years |
| Deans’ Scholarship | $20,000 per year | Incoming Freshman or Transfer | Up to four years |
| Directors’ Scholarship | $18,000 per year | Incoming Freshman or Transfer | Up to four years |
| Mary Hill Award | $14,000 per year | Incoming Freshman | Up to four years |
Curriculum
Requirements
- Students must successfully complete the Design Portfolio Review (DPR) before progressing to the DSGN 450 Portfolio course. The review dates are announced every term and are available in the Department of Design.
- Students are advised to complete DSGN 121, DSGN 122, DSGN 123, and DSGN 222 before completing the DPR requirement.
- All students must maintain at least a 2.0 grade-point average in major courses to graduate.
- All majors and minors in the Department of Design are required to have a laptop computer with access to the Adobe Creative Cloud.
Design Foundations
- Design Fundamentals I
- Design Fundamentals II
- Design Fundamentals III
- Introduction to Digital Interface
- Elements and Principles of Typography
- Digital Design I
- Writing 3: Visual Storytelling and Design Identity
- Illustrating with Type
- Digital Design II
- Design Portfolio
- Design Branding
Art/Design History
- History of Graphic Design and Illustration
Elective
- History of Ancient Art and Architecture
- History of Early Christian and Medieval Art and Architecture
- History of Renaissance to Rococo Art and Architecture
- History of Contemporary Art and Architecture
Design Courses
- Applied Design
- Graphic Design Processes
- Design Internship
- Special Topics in Design
Art Courses
- Printmaking: Serigraph
- Two-Dimensional Design
- Three-Dimensional Design
- Drawing I
- Painting I
- Photography I
- Printmaking: Relief
- Figurative Lab
- Drawing and Painting II
- Photography II
- Illustration
- History of Ancient Art and Architecture
- Writing 3: History of Modern Art and Architecture
- History of Contemporary Art and Architecture
- Women In Art
- Photography III
- History of Early Christian and Medieval Art and Architecture
- History of Renaissance to Rococo Art and Architecture
- Photography IV
- Advanced Photography Studio or Commercial Photography
Total Units 65
Program Outcome
Program Learning Outcomes
- General Knowledge and Essential Skills: Design work that demonstrates fluency with visual vocabulary, principles, composition, and excellence in craft and technical skills, developed with familiarity with professional standards, contemporary issues, and technological developments in design.
- Inquiry, Research, and Critical Thinking: Construct innovative design solutions that result in measurable outcomes, through research, conceptualization, and synthesis of information, and using narrative devices and visual metaphor.
- Visual and Written Articulation: Communicate effectively through written and oral presentations that demonstrate proficiency in the aesthetic, practical, and technical aspects of ideation, production, and criticism of design solutions.
- Cultural Literacy and Sensitivity: Articulate, critique, and apply the historic, social, and theoretical contexts of visual communication by demonstrating knowledge and sensitivity towards diverse audiences and points of view.
- Faith Integration: Demonstrate a sense of responsibility and ethical awareness as they evaluate design and developments in the field of design in light of a Christian worldview.
Career Opportunities
- Web and Digital Interface Designers - Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.
- Video Game Designers - Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary - Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
- Commercial and Industrial Designers - Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
- Set and Exhibit Designers - Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.
- Graphic Designers - Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.