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.

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

2021 Design Conference & Portfolio Review

Over three days we will virtually open our house, gather alumni, and hold our annual Portfolio Event.

See the details

ferrisdsgn

Going for Gold at the Addy’s

Ferris Design students take home 8 wins at The American Advertising Awards show. Kara Copeland, Natalie Ezabele, Aubrey Kemme, Kaylee Maddox, and Chelsea Marzean received a gold for their work with the Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation Mindshare Gala in 2017. Pictured: Jen Bancino, Rachel VanAken, and Natalie Dixon all received silver awards for their Junior year branding projects Sociabowl and WNBA.

"It was a great experience to receive an Addy Award with my teammates, and to be in the same room with so many talented people. It was a nice surprise and a honor to represent Ferris State University."

Kaylee Maddox, Senior , 2017

DSGN at Ferris State @FerrisDSGN·

February 24, 2020

https://www.fastcompany.com/90449305/this-is-the-one-skill-designers-need-to-develop-most-in-2020 Agreed, Mr Norman.

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

Hope House

As a student at Ferris and having "real life" experience of working with clients and managing budgets before I even graduated, I was well equipped with all the tools on the design and business side that helped set me up for success to run my own design business.

Kaila Piepkow, Owner and Lead Designer at Dox Design, Grand Rapids, 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