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.

LEARN MORE

ferrisdsgn

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 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

Agora

"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