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

Newell Brands Tour

Students head to Kalamazoo to tour Newell Brands Design Center. While at Newell students participated in a panel discussion with some of the team, and they even joined the team for lunch. Recently Newell Brands was named one of America's Most Reputable Companies. Newell has hired many of our grads. Congrats! Ryan, Katie, Kendall, Jade, Carlie, Eddie, and Lydia.

"I'm really excited to start my career at Newell brands. We did a studio tour there in the winter and I fell in love with the atmosphere! I applied for an internship but was extremely fortunate to land a full time design job instead!"

Carlie Vanklompenberg, Senior 2018

dsgn_ferris

Real Advice from Real Professionals

Every year, the graphic design program hosts an annual portfolio review to showcase their hard work and skills as a young professional. To prepare for this, students meet with premier designers from the West Michigan area to receive feedback on work at the Critique event. Start Garden, a Grand Rapids based company that works to make accessible platforms that turn ideas into actions, opened their doors this year, allowing students to utilize their space. Students met with designers from Herman Miller, Mighty in the Midwest, and many others, collecting feedback on their work and prepping to enter the industry. Allie Crippen — “This was a really great way for students to network with elite design professionals from all over West Michigan and a great way to prepare for interviewing.”

Bethany Sonefeld @bsonefeld·

June 4, 2019

We’re looking for Product Designers to join our growing team @Cloudflare !
📍Austin, TX
⏱Full-time
🤗Great team spread across 4 locations

We’re solving meaningful, complex problems w/ real-world impact. If you’re interested in helping build a better internet, my DMs are open!📩

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

Band-Aid

"I feel very fortunate to have made the decision to get my design education from Ferris as it really places an emphasis on what to expect post-graduation and how to present yourself not only as a fully-equipped designer, but a designer with a good sense of how the business actually operates. I say this with confidence, as I work with many other awesome Bulldogs!"

Caraline Visuri, Herman Miller, Zeeland, 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