School of Design - UIC Design Programs Overview - Degree Programs and Foundations

Sep 4, 2026

UIC School of Design programs emphasize studio-based instruction grounded in the human experience, helping students build formal, conceptual, and technical capabilities for contemporary practice. Undergraduates complete Foundations Program courses to develop techniques in two- and three-dimensional making, visualization, and color theory using analog and digital methods. BDes offers a four-year, studio-intensive path culminating in a portfolio review for graphic or industrial design majors. BA in Design Studies provides hands-on, cross-disciplinary studio training integrated with design history, theory, and research.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Program Philosophy

Studio-Based Instruction and Student Development

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Design (BDes)

Graphic Design

Industrial Design

Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies (BA)

Foundations Program

Foundations Course Options

Degree Program Tracks

BDes in Graphic Design

BDes in Industrial Design

BA in Design Studies

School of Design 1 School of Design Contact Information: Campus Location: 1300 Architecture and Design Studios (ADS) (312) 996-2611 [design@uic.edu](design@uic.edu)[mdes@uic.edu](mdes@uic.edu)[ ](mdes@uic.edu)[design.uic.edu](design.uic.edu) Administration: Director: Anne H. Berry Director of Student Academic Affairs, School of Architecture and School of Design: Gwen Fullenkamp Coordinator of Academic Programs and Student Services: Kevin Strickland Undergraduate Academic Advisor: Lily Baker Undergraduate Academic Advisor: Raul Diaz Associate Director Human/Business Resources: Annabelle K. Clarke Associate Director Graphic Design: Sharon Oiga Associate Director Industrial Design: Felicia Ferrone Associate Director BS in Computer Science + Design: Daria Tsoupikova Associate Director Design Studies: Robert Zolna Grounded in studio-based instruction and deeply concerned with the human experience, UIC Design programs are organized to reflect and to advance developments in the field. Students develop formal, conceptual, and technical skills necessary to engage in contemporary design practice. Advanced students are provided opportunities to work collaborativelyin interdisciplinary teams, often engaging with partners in community or industry. Through exposure to design practices, exhibitions, and critical observation, students experience Chicago as a global design center. The School offers two undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Design (BDes) and Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies (BA in Design Studies) . The four-year BDes offers focused professional education in a specific discipline, either Graphic Design or Industrial Design. The BA in Design Studies offers a hands-on education in design practices that range from typographic forms and systems to design research methods, and the design requirements for the degree can be completed in three years. Curricula for both programs focus on critical contemporary challenges in the field and prepare students to engage the complex demands of a rapidly changing professional environment. All UIC Design students participate in the Foundations Program. Students interested in pursuing the Bachelor of Design must complete the full Foundations Program, comprising six studio courses that introduce various techniques in two-and three-dimensional form-making and conceptual visualization in preparation for advanced design studies. Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies program participate partially in the Foundations Program, taking four studio courses that explore color theory and the use of analog and digital methods in design visualization. Bachelor of Design The UIC Bachelor of Design (BDes) offers a focused, studio-intensive professional education that prepares students for direct entry into professional practice in graphic design or industrial design and the related outgrowths of these disciplines in an expanding job market. Upon completion of the full Foundations Program students undergo a portfolio review in consideration for acceptance into a major area of study: Graphic Design or Industrial Design. Graphic Design Graphic design makes ideas visible. Instruction combines the art of typography with the skillful rendering of signs, symbols, and images. The practice of graphic design serves to communicate, distinguish, characterize, clarify, brand, instruct, guide, promote, and inform. Students learn to communicate visually—and compellingly—across print and digital media in the service of community, industry, and the greater good. Industrial Design Industrial design makes ideas tangible. Instruction combines conceptual and material articulation and fabrication of usable objects and systems. The practice of industrial design serves human needs and interests, in the form of user-centered, making-oriented, or conceptually motivated designs. Students learn to think critically about their intent to create an artifact or an experience, and are ask

FAQs

What is the core focus of the UIC School of Design programs?

The programs use studio-based instruction centered on the human experience and are designed to develop formal, conceptual, and technical skills for contemporary design practice.

What is the Foundations Program and who needs to complete it?

All UIC Design students participate in the Foundations Program. Students pursuing BDes complete six studio courses, while BA in Design Studies students participate partially by taking four studio courses.

How do the BDes and BA in Design Studies differ?

BDes is a four-year professional, studio-intensive program that leads to portfolio review for either graphic design or industrial design. BA in Design Studies is a hands-on degree focused on a sequence of core studio courses that integrate graphic and industrial design methods, design history/theory, and design research.

Sep 4, 2026

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