Department of Design
Western Washington University
INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Thank you for your interest in the Department of Design and its degree options. The design program has a
strong reputation in the Pacific Northwest and beyond with graduates solving visual communication
problems for Microsoft, Tether, Creature, Weiden + Kennedy, Starbucks and many other firms and
agencies.
Design is identified as the visual communication of ideas. The program utilizes a curriculum that
emphasizes the process of problem solving and encourages students to make connections between
culture and design, and their role as visual communicators. Students learn to combine personal
expression and critical thinking as they create solutions that connect industry to an audience and
themselves to the world. It has an active and dedicated faculty committed to preparing students for the
complex and changing profession of design.
DEGREES:
BA: Design (also requires a minor)
BFA: Design (by Junior BA application)
GPA REQUIREMENT:
Students applying to the degree must have at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA. Majors are required to
maintain a 2.50 grade point average both overall and in design courses taken at Western. A grade of C- or
better is required for all courses in the major.
APPLICATION PACKET DEADLINES:
October 15 – 5:00 pm
January 31 – 5:00 pm
The complete application packet must be received in the Department of Design office ON or BEFORE the
due date by 5:00 pm. In the event the due date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, your complete packet is due
the immediate following Monday by 5:00 pm.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS + PROCESS
To declare a Design major, a formal application is made with a portfolio composed of 12 works, the
Typographic Hierarchy Project, a completed application form with typed statement, and transcript/s
(these can be unofficial transcripts). The application packet will be reviewed by Design faculty and
evaluated on the basis of a demonstrated understanding of the elements of visual communication,
technical proficiency and originality.
The portfolio should consist of diverse visual work that best demonstrates the applicant’s potential in the
design field. Examples of work that may be included in the application portfolio are: drawings, art/design
class assignments, design projects, logos, flyers, yearbook, websites, photography, digital
video/QuickTime movies, and multimedia. The work may be created by hand or digitally, but must be
original. Avoid plagiarism. Portfolios consisting predominately of cartoons, anime, graffiti, tattoos, or
artwork copied from photographs, etc. are discouraged.
Design Application Typographic Hierarchy Project
The following project is a classical exercise involving typographic hierarchy in the presentation of
information. The application of visual hierarchy to text helps the reader with the text, marking entrance
and exit points. Hierarchies are established using typographic elements through cues. Spatial cues are
indents, line spacing/leading and placement on the page. Graphic cues are changes in point size, and style
of the type, including use of upper-, lower-, sentence, and title case.
Select one type family to work with in this project. It should minimally have the following weights
(Regular, Bold) and styles (Regular, Italic, Bold and Bold Italic).
Select either the Biennale or Weather Report text for your solutions. The text is presented below without
hierarchy.
You are to create 7 solutions/examples for this project demonstrating each of the following typographic
manipulations/variations:
1
Vary only the weight of the type (contrast of weight)
2
Vary only the size of the type (contrast of sizes)
3
Vary only the style of the type (contrast of styles)
4
Vary the alignment of the type
5
Vary the line spacing/letter spacing of the type
6
Combine of 2 or more variables employed above in a new solution
7
Combine of 2 or more variables employed above in a different solution
Each solution should be composed within an 8 x 8 inch square. Final digital solutions must be submitted
as PDF or JPG files.
The Text:
Biennale
A Testament to Human Creativity
A Cornucopia of Contemporary Art
La Biennale di Venezia
58th International Art Exhibition
1 June – 24 November
The Encyclopedic Palace, Central Pavilion and Arsenale
88 countries stage competing exhibitions in national pavilions as well as 50 “collateral events”
Weather Report
Madison, Wisconsin
Thursday 2:00 PM
Thunderstorm
71 degrees F
Precipitation: 70%
Humidity: 83%
Wind: 16 mph
Tornado Watch until 8:00 PM
Potential for large hail, flooding, damaging winds, and tornadoes
Your application is considered complete with the following items:
1.
Application form (next page) with a typed statement of your interest and long-term
goals in Design [Graphic, Web, Interactive, User Interface, etc.]
2.
Transcript/s (unofficial)
3.
Portfolio of personal 12 works and Typographic Hierarchy Project (Standard PDF
format or folder with JPGS) on CD/DVD or Flash Drive. (Do not submit a PowerPoint
presentation or on-line; they either require additional time to review the portfolio or
the quality of the images is not high enough.)
Please test your portfolio submission to ensure it works prior to submitting your
application.
Portfolios are not accepted as email attachments.
4.
Image List
Provide a context for the images you include in the portfolio. Include a brief rationale
behind each piece along with title, dimensions, medium and date.
5.
Printed page of thumbnails of work submitted
It is the APPLICANT’S RESPONSIBILITY to ensure proper functioning of the files submitted for review.
Send/deliver the application packet to:
Design Review Committee
Western Washington University
Fine Arts Complex, Room 116
516 High Street
Bellingham, WA 98225-9068
Please include an appropriate sized self-addressed envelope with proper postage for return of your
thumb/flash drive or CD/DVD.
DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN
PORTFOLIO APPLICATION
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
WWU W# (if applicable)
W
STREET ADDRESS
CITY
STATE/ZIP
PHONE
EMAIL
STUDENT STATUS
□ Incoming Freshman
□ Transfer
□ Current WWU Student
WWU ENTRANCE
□ Fall
□ Winter
□ Spring
□ Summer
YEAR__________
EXPECTED GRADUATION
□ Fall
□ Winter
□ Spring
□ Summer
YEAR__________
ATTACH TYPED STATEMENT of your interest and long-term goals in Design (i.e., Graphic, Web, Interactive, User
Interface).
List your previous college level art and design classes, including currently enrolled:
COURSE #
TITLE/DESCRIPTION
WHEN
WHERE