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2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog [DRAFT]
Art & Design - I-Design (ARTD) - BA Major
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63-66 credits (no minor required)
2.5 GPA required in major. 2.5 GPA required overall.
A letter grade of C or above is required in all major courses unless otherwise noted.
Letter grade required in all major courses unless otherwise noted.
15 credits outside the major are required at the 300/400 level.
Art & Design - I-Design Major Map
Overview
The I-Design major is an adaptive design program that develops the creative identity through interdisciplinary problem-solving skills, new media and technology, entrepreneurial incubation, collaboration, and global cultural experience. Students studying design enrich contemporary society and culture by creating unique expressive forms of communication and experiences through a broad range of design careers.
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Purpose
The I-Design program provides students with an up-to-date and adaptive design education. Employing the Design thinking methodology, the I-Design major is developed as an integrated design program that is tailored to the Winona State University environment. As the creative field continues to expand, the program will enable students to become leaders in multiple design-related industries and even their communities. Building on a foundation that includes studio and digital art, basic graphic design theory, and design history studies, students will leverage traditional studio skills alongside modern tools, such as professional design software, to develop the necessary creative and design skills. Once formally accepted into the program as sophomores, students are exposed to advanced contemporary design theory and practices. Design students expand their knowledge and skills and build a professional portfolio through a dynamic, diverse curriculum that includes design history, critical theory, innovative methodologies, and engaging practices and techniques. Inquiry, research, collaboration, analysis, and evaluation are core components of the design curriculum as our students become critical and imaginative thinkers responding to contemporary socio-cultural topics through emergent visual communication forms. Incorporating knowledge from cross-disciplinary coursework, students learn to use design thinking to creatively and innovatively resolve challenges. The I-Design major includes a concentration elective (aligned with the area of expertise) that allows students to individualize their program with an area of interest. Students can choose from Studio Practices, Conceptual Illustration, Technology & Interactivity, Business & Marketing, Sustainable Applications, Community Development, and Integrated Studies. I-Design program objectives: - Interdisciplinary Creative Studies: Students will be expected to expand the boundaries of traditional academic scholarship. They will pursue outside subject areas and incorporate different types of creative problem-solving skills into their design studies and individual practice.
- Integrative Skills: Students learn to collaborate with creative thinkers from other disciplines. It provides students with strategies, skills, and concepts to foster creative thinking and collaboration, resulting in improved performance and resourcefulness.
- Inquiry Learning: The design program employs an inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning to increase intellectual engagement and foster a deeper understanding through the development of a hands-on, minds-on and ‘research-based disposition’ towards teaching and learning. “How to Learn” vs “What to Learn”, Inquiry honors the complex, interconnected nature of knowledge construction, striving to provide opportunities for both instructors and students to collaboratively build, test and reflect on their learning.
- International Exposure: Students in the program must complete a personal experience that is substantial and directly immerses the student in a different culture. Examples include most study abroad/faculty-led study away programs or a domestic multi-day immersion in the design, culture, art, history, architecture, traditions and lifestyle of a different culture or social group. This will strengthen student adaptation to the current global design industry. Advisor and Program approval are required prior to participating in the cross-cultural experience.
- Identity Formation: Students develop a strong creative identity through a concentration of cross-disciplinary studies. It allows them to explore and combine their strengths and areas of interest in their design discipline.
Admission to Program
Students are encouraged to declare the I-Design major upon entering WSU. Application for formal admission, which takes place every semester, requires that students: - Complete (or concurrent enrollment in) ART 118 - Foundational Drawing , ART 150 - Digital Design Fundamentals , ART 243 - Typography and Information Design , and ART 260 - Visual and Layout Design at the time of application.
- Enrollment in the ART 210 - Design Program Application .Recommended in the third or fourth semester of the program.
- Register at the beginning of the semester to go up for the Design Program Application via the online form.
- Fill out the Design Program Application online form, providing the required information before displaying your creative work.
- Demonstrate software competency. Intermediate-level software skills in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign are required to take advanced-level design courses. Students will be evaluated through their Design Program Application Portfolio. An additional software test is required if the portfolio did not convey the required software skills. Submit a portfolio of analog and digital work along with the application form. Because seats are limited, admission to the program is competitive based on preparation, portfolio, and academic record. Students who are not admitted may reapply.
Note
- Design students are required to use Apple laptop computers.
- To graduate within four years, students need to apply for admission into the I-Design program during their third or fourth semester.
- Due to the rapid globalization of the design industry, students in the program are required to undertake at least one multicultural activity, such as a faculty-led study away or study-abroad program, to expand their global exposure and experience. Students can take ART 310 - International Exposure in Design , or any study abroad/faculty-led program offered by other departments and universities with advisor approval.
Required Courses (45 credits)
Cross-Disciplinary Design Foundation (18 credits)
This foundation introduces essential skills and concepts in drawing, digital design, contemporary art, typography, professional communication, and web technology. Together these courses establish the visual, critical, and technical literacy needed for advanced interdisciplinary design work. Design Program Application (0 credits)
This zero-credit milestone documents formal entry into the upper-division I-Design curriculum. Through ART 210 , students submit a portfolio and related materials to demonstrate readiness for advanced coursework in design. Design Focus (12 credits)
The Design Focus sequence develops intermediate to advanced competence in visual communication, spatial and environmental design, new media, and design history. These courses provide a shared core of disciplinary depth that supports all subsequent concentrations and capstone work. Junior Portfolio Review
The Junior Portfolio Review functions as a mid-program checkpoint in which students present a body of work for formative evaluation. Successful completion confirms satisfactory progress toward capstone, exhibition, and professional outcomes. Recommended spring semester junior year. Please see your Design Academic Advisor at least one semester prior. Design Capstone (9 credits)
The capstone requirement combines advanced campaign and systems work, a public senior design exhibition, and professional portfolio development. Collectively these courses synthesize program learning, emphasize real-world application, and support transition to employment or graduate study. Practicum (6 credits)
The practicum requirement is fulfilled through ART 399 , allowing students to earn credit for supervised professional experience in design-related settings. This component strengthens applied skills, career readiness, and industry engagement. International Exposure (0-3 credits)
The international exposure requirement, documented through ART 310 , recognizes structured study-away, study-abroad, or comparable intercultural design experiences. This component foregrounds global perspectives and situates design practice within diverse cultural and social contexts. Topics require advisor approval. When students do a study abroad or faculty-led experience, they will be required to present their creative work no later than the following term. Concentrations Electives: Choose one
Choose one concentration and declare with Design Academic Advisor in the second year of design studies. Other elective courses may be allowed with advisor approval. Concentration A: Studio Practices (18 credits)
Studio Practices concentration is an opportunity for students who wish to extend their creativity into fine arts. This concentration provides students with the opportunities to develop advanced and creative experimental works. Students may explore drawing, painting, digital art, photography, installation, sculpture, typography, and video production while discovering their creative identity. Studio Practices Core (6 credits)
Studio Practices Electives (9 credits)
Choose four courses with advisor approval: Concentration B: Conceptual Illustration (18 credits)
Conceptual Illustration is an opportunity for students in the I-Design program to translate ideas into completed professional works of design across a variety of media and to extend their creativity into industrial-specific studio practices. The execution of ideas is important, but the true spirit of the concentration is the creative process of developing ideas and bringing them to life. The correct combinations of classes can lead students into the following career paths: medical illustration, game conceptual art, graphic art, creative writing, spatial typography, info-graphics, etc. Conceptual Illustration Core (6 credits)
Conceptual Illustration Electives (12 credits)
Choose four courses with advisor approval: Concentration C: Technology & Interactivity (18 credits)
Technology & Interactivity is for students who wish to be on the frontier of design technology and desire to extend their creativity into web technology, programming, UI/UX design, mobile design, mixed reality, game design, interactive installation, data visualization, etc. As technology continues to advance, it offers abundant opportunities to develop new visual languages. The Technology & Interactivity Concentration helps students become more appreciative and adaptable to the technological evolution. Technology & Interactivity Core (6 credits)
Technology & Interactivity Electives (12 credits)
Choose four courses with advisor approval: Concentration D: Business & Marketing (18 credits)
Business & Marketing is an ideal I-Design concentration for students who wish to channel their creativity into a career in business and marketing strategy, entrepreneurship, design manufacturing, and production, etc. The study of design and business is intertwined with creativity as a foundation to allow students to thrive in their future careers. Business & Marketing Core (6 credits)
Business & Marketing Electives (12 credits)
Choose four courses with advisor approval: Concentration E: Sustainable Applications (18 credits)
Sustainable Applications is an opportunity for students in the I-Design program to focus on and expand their studies in sustainable industries and practices. Students have the opportunity to challenge the design industry and improve traditional practices, advancing greater environmental awareness. Students can use basic sustainable design skills and techniques and integrate them into their professional work. Sustainable Applications Core (3 credits)
Sustainable Applications Electives (15 credits)
Choose five courses with advisor approval: Concentration F: Community Development (18 credits)
Community Development provides students with an opportunity to extend their creativity into social activism, design leadership, and social entrepreneurship. Students develop the skills to engage citizens and professionals in building stronger and more resilient local communities by equipping them with the tools to affect change. Designers generate innovative creative solutions to improve non-profits, businesses, and communities. Community Development Core (3 credits)
Community Development Electives (15 credits)
Choose five courses with advisor approval: Concentration G: Integrated Studies (18 credits)
A customized and individualized concentration based on special needs and interests. A combination of courses and detailed proposal needs to be approved by the Design Academic Advisor during the sophomore year. The approved course list must be submitted to the Warrior Hub and added to Degree Audit. Integrated Studies Core (3 credits)
Integrated Studies Electives (15 credits)
Select five courses with advisor approval to build up a specific topic under integrated design studies. Legend
◎ = Oral Intensive ◆ = Math/Critical Analysis Intensive △ = Writing Intensive ✽ = Physical Development and Wellness Graduation Requirement |
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