2024-2025 Catalog 
  
    Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog

Product Design (PD-BFA), B.F.A.

Location(s): Kendall College of Art & Design


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Bachelor of Fine Arts

The Product Design program prepares students to solve problems by starting with the user and addressing their needs and wants with unique product solutions. Students share in common coursework aimed at balancing aspects like human factors, the integration of technology, aesthetics, materials and processes, and business principles. Studios across the program and within each of the Concentrations offer immersive experiences designing in response to relevant, realistic design briefs that are grounded in the fundamental skills expected of graduates in various product design fields. The program prepares students to recognize opportunities and utilize a wide range of skills in research, visualization, digital modeling, prototyping, digital fabrication and graphic communication to develop potential solutions, to make creative breakthroughs, and enrich the world through designed objects.

Admission Requirements


New Student Admission Requirements


  • 2.50 High School GPA (on a 4.00 scale)
  • ACT/SAT test scores are NOT currently required for admissions consideration to KCAD. However, some Woodbridge N. Ferris Scholarship levels may require test scores be submitted to be awarded at certain levels.
  • Portfolio Requirement: Your portfolio should include 8-10 pieces of your best, most recent work that reflect your interests and creative potential. This collection of work could include 2D or 3D artwork, such as drawings, paintings, design, photography, sketches, animation, typography, videos, collages, ceramics, sculpture, sewn garments or other forms of creativity.

Transfer Student Admission Requirements


  • 2.50 College GPA (on a 4.00 scale)

University General Education Requirements - 30 Credits Required


Choose one of the following:


Pathways:


Select one:

  • Narrative Studies (NR)
  • Cultural Studies (CS)
  • Philosophical Studies (PL)

At least (3) courses will be taken within the selected Pathway. Recommended at the 200-level or higher


Minor: (Optional) 15 Credit Hours


College Requirements


Supportive Studio 30 Credit Hours


Art History 12 Credit Hours


Major Studio 39 Credit Hours


Choose one Concentration (Furniture Design, Industrial Design, or Metals/Jewelry) to complete Major Studio.

Furniture Design Concentration


Industrial Design Concentration


Metals/Jewelry Design Concentration


Electives 9 Credit Hours *


* Electives may be used for a minor

Graduation Requirements


  • Complete 120 semester credit hours.
  • Complete a studio major program of study (at least half of the major credits must be in residence at KCAD).
  • Complete all Supportive, Art History and General Education requirements.
  • Complete a minimum of 30 semester hours in residence at KCAD.
  • Earn a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher, and a minimum GPA of 2.25 in the major studio core (studio electives exempted).
  • Submit a digital image of senior level work.
  • Be in good standing with the College.

Suggested Semester Layout


First Year


Spring Courses


Second Year


Fall Courses


Spring Courses


Third Year


Fall Courses


Spring Courses


Fourth Year


Fall Courses


Spring Courses


Contact Information


KCAD Admissions

Phone: 616.259.1118

Email: [email protected]

 

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