How to Enhance Your Design Knowledge

ARCHITECTURE

Indicators that the candidate promotes diversity, evidence of design-related work, leadership potential, ability to work independently, involvement in community activities, and exceptional experiences.

ART + DESIGN (DESIGN STUDIES, FIBERS AND SURFACE DESIGN, ANNI ALBERS SCHOLAR AND NEW MEDIA AND ANIMATION)

Art + Design applicants should demonstrate the following qualities: high motivation in artifact-making, discipline and patience, ability to manage time, genuine and longstanding interest in some aspect of art and design, flexible thinking, ability to explain and critically evaluate work, broad view of the world through life experiences, ability to work within conditions of ambiguity and uncertainty, willingness to share ideas, ability to collaborate and craftsmanship.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

The Graphic Design curriculum seeks applicants who are curious about the world and socially-aware; who are interested in the relationship between words and pictures and demonstrate the potential and desire to manipulate them; who are energized by technology and a variety of media; who are verbally articulate; and who think they would enjoy applying their creative and academic skills to communicating through visual form to the culture at large.

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

The curriculum seeks students who enjoy and are curious about: cultural artifacts; objects and products; mechanisms; materials and processes; inventions and innovations; technology; and marketing. These potential designers should be interested in changing their world. They should see technology as a way of improving life on many levels. They should be motivated to create objects that solve human needs and address human wants. The Industrial Design curriculum attracts and retains excellent students who become leading industrial designers.

OTHER TIPS FOR ENHANCING YOUR DESIGN KNOWLEDGE

• Familiarize yourself with design vocabulary.
• Seek advice on admissions requirements, including the Portfolio Process.
• Research design careers and interview professionals.
• Visit design firms, art museums, and galleries.
• Make contact with schools that interest you.
• Attend Open Houses and Visitation Days - and ask lots of questions.
• Know the admissions process, including key dates and deadlines.