Eastern Michigan University

What you'll study

This programme blends foundation studio courses with progressively specialised design studios and liberal arts requirements. Early semesters emphasise core visual skills such as observational drawing, 2D and 3D design, colour theory and materials exploration. Intermediate and upper-level work moves into discipline-specific studios that may include typography and layout, digital imaging and vector illustration, user experience and interface fundamentals, product and object design, surface and textile design, and exhibition or environmental graphics.

Complementary coursework covers design history and criticism, professional practice, research methods, and business basics for creatives. Students complete projects that mimic real-world briefs, collaborate on multidisciplinary teams, and assemble a professional portfolio or capstone project in the final year. Hands-on facilities typically include Mac-based labs, digital fabrication equipment, printmaking and screen facilities, photography studios, and workshops for prototyping.

Typical modules and projects

• Foundation Studio: Drawing and Visual Principles
• Two- and Three-Dimensional Design
• Typography and Visual Communication
• Digital Design Tools and Workflows (Adobe suite, vector and raster techniques)
• Materials and Processes for Making
• Design Research and User-centred Methods
• Product/Industrial Design Studio or Surface/Textile Studio
• Professional Practice: Portfolio, Freelance and Studio Management
• Capstone/Thesis Project or Internship

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised secondary school diploma or equivalent. Admission usually requires a portfolio of creative work that demonstrates visual thinking, technical skill and process; the portfolio may include sketchbook work, finished pieces and examples of digital work. Candidates should submit academic transcripts from secondary education; completion of basic visual arts courses in high school or community programmes is advantageous. International applicants must meet the university's English language requirement through an approved test or prior study in English.

Eastern Michigan University may also consider transfer students with college-level coursework in art or design; these applicants are typically asked to provide a portfolio and official college transcripts. The programme looks for motivated students who show evidence of creative potential and a readiness for sustained studio practice.

Career prospects

Graduates from a Design and Applied Arts degree go into a range of creative and applied roles. Common career paths include:

• Graphic designer or brand identity designer
• User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) designer
• Product or industrial designer
• Textile, surface or pattern designer
• Exhibition, environmental or wayfinding designer
• Production artist, pre-press or digital imaging specialist
• Creative director, art director or design manager
• Freelance studio practitioner, maker or entrepreneur

Graduates also move into related fields such as design education, museum and gallery work, arts administration, or continue to postgraduate study in design, fine art or interdisciplinary creative practice. The programme’s emphasis on portfolio development and internships supports entry into professional roles and regional design industries.

Why study at Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan University offers a learning environment with small, studio-based classes that allow close mentorship from faculty who are active designers, artists and scholars. The university’s location provides connections to a broad regional design economy, with internship and collaboration opportunities in nearby cities and cultural institutions. Students benefit from dedicated facilities for analogue and digital making, including labs for digital fabrication, print and photographic processes.

The programme balances conceptual inquiry with applied training, preparing students for both professional practice and further study. Career services, portfolio reviews and industry partnerships help students transition into employment, while study abroad options and community-engaged projects expand creative perspectives. Overall, the degree emphasises real-world problem solving, professional readiness and a strong, demonstrable body of work for post-graduate opportunities.