College of Arts & Sciences

Design Bachelor’s Degree

Degree: BS

Locations: Rhode Island

Design Your Future

Pursue your passion at JWU Providence, where you’ll turn ideas into impact and be part of a community of innovative thinkers dedicated to shaping the future of design.

In the Design bachelor’s degree program, you’ll explore a range of topics from typography and image-making to user experience and product innovation, learning by doing in hands-on studios that reflect real-world design projects.

In your final year, you’ll complete a 6-credit internship or applied experience. Your year culminates in a capstone portfolio course that ends with our Reveal Showcase, where you present your work to faculty, peers and industry professionals.

You’ll also have the option of narrowing down a focus area that aligns with your career goals. Choose a creative path in:

Graphic Design: Build brand identities, design packaging, develop editorial layouts and master typography.
Web (UI/UX) Design: Conduct research, establish information architecture, ensure accessibility and design product interfaces.
Product Design: Work with materials, model prototypes and develop innovative physical products.

Whether your future career goals include joining a design studio, launching a startup, working for a global brand or building your own venture, your journey begins here.

Focus Areas

Graphic Design

Many of today’s products are increasingly intelligent, operating within digital and physical ecosystems. This focus area dives deeper into ergonomics and user experience, package design, material properties, prototyping, shelf presence, modeling and more. Designers learn to harness cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and sustainable materials to deliver personalized, interactive and eco-conscious solutions to product creation.

vibrant graphic art displayed on a laptop screen

Web Design

Digital products are more immersive, intelligent and interconnected than ever before, and web designers are at the forefront of crafting intuitive interfaces and seamless user journeys across web, mobile and emerging platforms. In this focus area, you’ll learn about user interface design, coding languages, interaction design, web accessibility, motion graphics, style guides and other key concepts. You’ll practice using industry-standard design and prototyping software and create a portfolio to showcase your work.

Product Design

Experiential Education

In JWU’s Design degree, you’ll put learning into action on real projects from day one. Across three focus areas—Graphic Design, Web (UI/UX) Design and Product Design—you’ll work with external partners through Design Team, Design Studio, Web Design Team (client projects), the JWU Launch Pad and community-based organizations. Every course includes an industry-based component (live briefs, client reviews, pro tools or portfolio-ready outcomes), so your work is seen and used beyond the classroom.

Design Labs and Classrooms

Take a look around the space you’ll be learning how to design in by taking an immersive 3D tour of our lab and gallery spaces.

Launch Experience

The Bowen Gallery

Student work is displayed year-round in this beautiful gallery space in the John J. Bowen Center for Science & Innovation, the same building where you will also take your design courses.

The Innovation Lab

This unique lab is open to students from any major and includes everything from scanners to the latest fabrication equipment, including 3D printers, laser engravers, micro mills, and vinyl cutters. It’s a great place for Design students to bring their ideas to life!

Powered by Purpose: Ally Buckley ’24

“When I leave JWU, I will be prepared for whatever comes next — I will leave with a portfolio and a personal brand,” says Design student Ally Buckley ’24. The recent graduate shares what she loves about the program and her excitement to continue exploring visual communication.

Why Study Design at JWU?

Build a standout portfolio: Produce increasingly sophisticated, real-world projects that show process and results.
Develop your professional identity: Create a cohesive personal brand across your resume, case studies, website and presentation materials.
Work with real clients: Create, manage, and present projects to community partners and startups—gaining the feedback, timelines and accountability that mirror professional practice.
Hone in-demand skills:
Graphic Design: Branding, typography, publication, packaging, motion, photography/video.

Web (UI/UX) Design: Research, wireframes, prototyping, accessibility, design systems, front-end fundamentals

Product Design: Materials & processes, CAD, prototyping, ergonomics/human factors, systems thinking.

New! Choose a Three- or Four-Year Design Degree

You now have the option to earn your Design bachelor’s degree in either three or four years. Our new Career-Focused Degree Program lets you complete your bachelor’s degree in just three years with a streamlined, 90-credit curriculum. This option allows you to enter the workforce sooner and save on tuition. If you prefer a more traditional pace, the four-year degree path is also available. Both options provide the same high-quality education, hands-on learning and industry preparation JWU is known for, with unique benefits tailored to your goals.

View The Three-year design degree

Career Success and Possibilities

Creative Director
Creative Design Specialist
Editorial Designer
Package Designer
Visual Designer
User Interface/Experience (UI/UX) Designer
Web Designer
Product Designer

_{Some professions may require additional study, background checks, certifications, licenses, exams and/or experience as required qualifications for employment. Students are responsible for verifying that they can meet the employment requirements of potential employers.}

Design grads have secured positions at a wide range of companies. See where JWU’s Design B.S. degree can lead you.