Graphic Design Program

We are creative problem solvers who apply a disciplined process, and master tools and technologies, to develop solutions to both social and business problems. Students harness strategic, conceptual, and technical skills to create user-centered experiences that inform, educate, and persuade.

Are you interested in design school, friends and family of  a student, already a working designer, or one of our own bulldog alumni? Come to this years Senior Portfolio Showcase on April 6, 2018 @ the Ferris University Center: 805 Campus Dr, Big Rapids,  MI 49307 RM. 202.

DESIGN SCHOOL SOUNDS COOL, I'M READY TO SEE WHAT IT'S ABOUT.: Stop by between 1 and 3pm, see Senior work and meet with Juniors to get a feel for what it's all about and tour where we create.
I'M ALREADY IN THE INDUSTRY, SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT.: Meet with the newest members of the design industry, their young, fresh and eager to show you their work between 4 and 6pm.
BEEN THERE DONE THAT, THOSE  ARE MY OLD STOMPING GROUNDS.: Hey design bulldogs, stop by between 4 and 6pm. After the review come to the first design alumni event in over 10 years. Email dsgn@ferris.edu for more information.

event info

Talking Business with our Friends at Conduit

Design is one part creativity and two parts business. So to understand more about what it takes to thrive in the industry, we talked to our friend and Creative Director John O’Neill at Conduit Studio. He and his team are the masterminds behind some of the most amazing work, from the branding of Artprize to their work with Helen DeVos. To understand more about balancing expenses with profit, we talked specifically on budgeting, and remembering to save money for taxes. Kyle Rice — “I’ve met John several times before, and it amazes me every time the amount of knowledge he has to offer. Taxes as a freelance designer is something that can be very detrimental to your personal expenses, so it great to hear his advice based off of his personal experiences."

dsgn_ferris

STUDENTS MEET NYC BASED ARTIST, JON BURGERMAN @ AIGA National Conference

Design students travel to Minneapolis for the AIGA National Conference. While at the conference students lined up to meet Jon Burgerman. John is a UK born, NYC based artist, famed for his instantly recognisable drawings, doodles, characters and murals. At the National Conference students get connected with so many designers and are fully immersed into design.

"I was so excited to get a drawing on a bag from him! I was lucky enough to be the first person In line, he seemed so humbled and gracious to have such a long line of people waiting for him."

Keegen Wright, Sophomore, 2017

Bethany Sonefeld @bsonefeld·

July 9, 2019

My @womentalkdesign account is up and running! ✨ → https://t.co/PLLYRLaiIx

On that note, I'm currently writing a talk focused on digital well-being and the responsibility we have as creators. If you're a conf organizer, let's talk!

RT's appreciated 🤗

See some of our work

Take a look at projects from all class levels ranging from packaging projects to user experience website interactions.

let's see the work

The Print Lab

"Beyond giving me the foundational knowledge, history, art, and craft of design (and demanding a high-bar at that!), the graphic design program at Ferris granted me opportunity to push myself to explore the future of where graphic design was heading. That drive to learn and experiment has played a large part in enabling me to achieve my career goals."

Ryan VanDyke, Amazon Web Services, Seattle, WA

how our program works

Throughout our program students are taught to use a 5 phase process. This guides the students to explore multiple ideas to find the best solution. The process includes multiple steps within each phase, however on a project to project basis, things can adjust, because we know in life not every project is the same.

see why we're different