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

Graphic Design Students Head to Herman Miller Design Yard

With many alumna finding great success at Herman Miller, and our program’s founders being Barbra Loveland and Linda Powell, it is safe to say that Herman Miller has a huge impact on our process. We are just as much part of their culture as they are a part of ours. So it only makes sense that our students would travel to their Design Yard in Holland to see this great company first hand. Students were able to meet Marlene Capotosto, the Graphics Production Manager, to discuss production of their annual brochure and Kelly O’Hara to talk about web. From pre-flight and imposed flats to image optimization and content strategy, students got a hands on experience of what its like working as a designer at a grand scale.

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

DSGN at Ferris State @FerrisDSGN·

October 13, 2019

Thank you for a memorable experience @midwestux @ 20 Monroe Live https://t.co/o0J5ULu3SG

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

Artworks

"My design education at Ferris was the catalyst to my career. The skillset, discipline, and client projects that made up the curriculum created experience, knowledge, and confidence. The program shifts to the ever-changing needs of the industry and was a good reflection of "the real world" that made me feel a step ahead upon graduation."

Emily Bode, Freelance designer specializing in event & stationery design, Spring Lake, MI

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