Design Foundations & Qualifying Examination
Our degree programs are rigorous, competitive and crafted for students eager for rich learning opportunities and rewarding experiences. All Department of Design students enter as Pre-Majors and start with the Design Foundations sequence, a set of six essential courses taken over the first year:
Fall Courses
- Introduction to Creative Practices
- Two-Dimensional Design Principles
- Drawing for Design
Spring Courses
- Introduction to Computer Graphics
- Color and Light Theory
- Three-Dimensional Design Principles
Qualifying ExaminatioN
After successfully completing all six Design Foundations courses, students intending
to declare a BFA in Graphic Design or Interior Design or a BS in Design Studies or
Architectural Lighting must pass a Qualifying Examination.
This exam holistically assesses students on specified projects, sketchbooks and professionalism
in all foundation courses.
Students who complete the Design Foundations courses with a grade of C or above but are not accepted into a major program will receive a Certificate of Design, a valuable addition to a student's transcript and resume.
Note: The minor in Architectural Lighting Design does not require a qualification exam.