Bachelor of Science
Design
Designing with Purpose
If you love to create visually captivating illustrations and dream of inspiring others through your work — this is the place for you. You can pursue your passion for design in the heart of the Creative Capital in Rhode Island. Providence earned this nickname for its colorful landscape of murals, numerous galleries and museums, large population of artists, and a thriving job market for creative professions. The best part is, Johnson & Wales University can put you in the middle of it all.
In our specialized design labs and studios, you’ll learn to solve visual communication problems using design and digital tools, including current design software and hardware. You’ll narrow your studies after the first two years by choosing to focus on either print or user experience design. It’s how we help you find your career path.
“If I can put one word on my general experience, it would definitely be holistic,” says Noah Fye '23, a recent graduate of the Design program. “Everything about the design department is designed to get you to be a professional. Everything comes in and it's all focused on making you the best designer you can be.”
Ready to become the best designer you can be? Keep scrolling to discover how you can do it at JWU Providence.
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Experiential Education
At JWU, we’re all about putting your learning into action and offering you the opportunity to work on real projects that go beyond the classroom. Whether you design for clients in the community on Design Team or collaborate with other JWU programs on exciting projects in a Directed Experiential Education course, you’ll be creating work that makes a difference and that many people will get to see and enjoy.
Why Study Design at JWU?
- You’ll build a portfolio of increasingly sophisticated design work.
- Develop a focused identity that carries through all your presented materials, and identifies you as an independent graphic designer.
- Hone your graphic design skills by creating, editing and presenting visual collateral that includes the design of branding, logos, packages, publications, photography, video, typography, websites and user interface experiences.
- Gain industry experience by creating, managing and presenting design projects to actual clients from community-based organizations in the greater Providence area.
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Sample Courses
- Brand Identity Design & Development
- Design Thinking & Creative Process
- Editorial & Publication Design
- Package Design
- Typography
- User Experience & Content Design I & II
- Vector Drawing & Image Editing
- Wayfinding & Environmental Graphics
In addition to classes, free elective credit can be applied to a number of options such as Directed Experiential Education (DEE), internship, minor or study abroad. You are encouraged to contact an advisor before scheduling free elective credits. Explore the full JWU Catalog course listing:
Career Possibilities
- Creative Director
- Creative Design Specialist
- Editorial Designer
- Package Designer
- Visual Designer
- User Interface/Experience (UI/UX) Designer
- Web Designer
- Product Designer
Some professions may require additional study, background checks, certifications, licenses, exams and/or experience as required qualifications for employment. Students are responsible for verifying that they can meet the employment requirements of potential employers.
Featured Faculty
Our professors and instructors are dedicated to the success of our students. Learn more about our expert faculty members.
Associate Professor
My specialty is the experiential ed courses that we offer students. They meet with clients, develop project briefs, and go through all the phases of design creating logos, print design, web design and video.
Jonathan Harris
Harris has worked his professional life to create walkable and bikeable cities. He teaches the process, management and tools of design.
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