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

PORTFOLIO DAY 2020

Enjoy virtually reviewing portfolios and student work showreel. Videochat with us and share ideas to see if we are ready for the industry. For the first time, a national event.

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ferrisdsgn

Impromptu Trip to Toronto

The juniors hopped in the car and road tripped to Toronto for some design inspiration. While in Toronto they toured studios and stumbled upon a Nike Pop-up shop in an old abandoned house.

"Toronto provided a lot of different experiences unique to the city such as the Nike Pop-up for a new shoe release. When walking into the pop-up show you are immediately immersed in a world created around this one shoe. Whether it be the pulsing Nike logo, the pink walls, or the employee attire, everything was designed for this one experience. After the Nike Pop-up shop my class and I headed to Q30 for a studio tour. At Q30 they showed us the real world uses of the process we learn in school but in a much deeper way. The two case studies we looked at used many of the steps we learn about within our classes and validated to us that what we are doing is applicable for the real world. They also showed us the importance of teamwork with their very specialized team including UI/UX developer, a writer, two project managers, and a hand full of graphic designers."

Eddie Johnson, Junior, 2018

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

GRSAF MindShare Event ’18

My degrees from Ferris State University have given me the tools to fulfill a career path this is both relevant as is necessary in today's ever changing professional environment. This instruction is top-notch, the professors are knowledgeable in current workforce trends, and the Ferris reputation continues to precede itself. As a Ferris alumni, I am proud to be a graduate as well as an advocate.

Jonathan Barrera Mikulich, Vias Marketing, 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