Design of all kinds
More and more people are realizing the importance of design that provides high quality aesthetic and functional value. The designers that can provide this understand the specific needs of both their clients and their clients' customers and are able to create products that perform to their full potential, satisfying both client requirements and consumer desires.
Two of the most important things for designers to understand are how people use products and how they take in information. Whether designing a brochure that advertises a new car, an interactive web site about the new car, or the body of the new car itself, designers must place things where the user needs and expects them to be for the design to be most successful. They must also make everything quick and easy to use and understand.
Bachelor Degrees
- Bachelor of Science in Digital Media and Design
- Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design
- Bachelor of Science in Product Design
Associate Degree
Minor Options
Graphic Design
Graphic Design is considered a broad field of study. There are many different types of design: packaging, signage, documents, books, logos, and digital publishing, such as eBooks and digital magazines. Or, a designer may focus on a single interest. Regardless, all these various design disciplines have common threads.
Students are presented with challenging design problems that will require them to think in ways with which they may not be familiar. It's one thing to look at a design problem and develop a solution. Yet it's even better if the designer is able to properly frame the problem within the larger context of the issue.
At WWU, students receive a broadly-based liberal arts education that provides a well-rounded perspective. The world is complex. There are multiple levels of collaboration that happen throughout the design process. Designers must understand usability, desirability, feasibility, and viability of the project. Without this thorough knowledge, the design solution will fall short. If you're looking for a career that is guaranteed to keep you on your toes with ever-changing trends and technology, then Graphic Design just may be the right fit for you.
Integration
Students pursuing interests in product design and web design take classes alongside our graphic design students. This gives students a great sense of camaraderie as they learn with colleagues from the other disciplines, giving them a unique experience in Seventh-day Adventist design education.
Faculty
All of our faculty members (full-time and adjunct) have extensive industry experience. Students get to learn from their professor's mistakes and experiences.
Opportunity
Design students are in demand for their talents. Whether they are interested in self-employment, working in the department, or working across campus for ASWWU publications or as designers in Marketing and University Relations, our students routinely fill much needed roles on campus.
Facilities
The Graphic Design Studio is the central hub of activity for graphic and product design students. It is updated regularly with professional level equipment ensuring that students’ skills are on par with what will be expected in the industry upon graduation.
- Web designer
- Packaging designer
- Social Media Content Developer
- Identity systems designer
- Print media such as posters, brochures and so much more!
Product Design
This major focuses on the design of user-friendly products and systems. Through an insight-driven design process, students develop meaningful and innovative products. Students work in a studio environment where collaboration and critical thinking are encouraged.
Majors take a variety of classes in design principles, theory, and design thinking methodologies that serve as the foundation for decision-making. Students supplement their design education by taking courses in drawing and modeling (both manually and by computer), illustration, fine art, graphic design, material studies, photography, and computer 3D modeling.
Product Design at Walla Walla University is at the nexus of innovation and human-centered design. Students are taught how to innovate through a process of research, discovery, insight development, ideation, prototyping, rendering, and manufacturing. Walla Walla University offers the only product design program in Seventh-day Adventist higher education.
Approach to design
Students in our program are taught a human-centered design approach to problem solving and enhancing human experiences. Emphasis is placed on hands-on project work in well-equipped facilities.
Accomplished faculty
Our students enjoy small class sizes, providing time for quality interactions with their instructors and the time to work one-on-one with experienced professors.
Dedicated facilities
Product design students have access to a dedicated studio and a personal workstation for their entire four years of education at Walla Walla University.
Industry standard technical and critical skills
The Product Design program is well equipped to train designers in the latest technologies. Students work on both PCs and Macintosh computers using the latest industry standard graphic design and 3D modeling software. Students also have access to high quality printers and scanners, 3D printers, CNC routers, laser cutter, various plastic molding equipment, as well as a walk-in paint booth and fully equipped welding, woodworking, and metalworking labs.
Interdisciplinary collaboration with other programs on campus
Product design students learn effective communication and people skills for working with both designers and non-designers. Students engage entities and businesses at both the local and regional level to address real world problems, implementing hands-on research, interviews, and ethnographic techniques. In addition, students are taught branding and marketing principles preparing them for the design workforce as employees, consultants or entrepreneurs.
CAD technician
Furniture designer
Clothing/textile technologist
Art director
Web designer