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The Proposal: Designing The Future
Core Argument For The Creation Of A Design Department
"A Design Department doesn’t replace traditional art: it extends its legacy, keeps the College relevant, improves student outcomes, and strengthens the institution as a whole. A Design Department will increases revenue, stabilizes enrollment, and strengthens the College’s long-term financial health...”"
Design Extends The Artistic Tradition
- Design has always been part of art (e.g., Leonardo da Vinci, William Morris, Bauhaus)
- Design brings artistic principles into everyday life—digital media, products, and communication
- Design adds new creative platforms without replacing traditional disciplines
Keeps The College Relevant & Growing
- The art world now overlaps with design, technology, and user experience
- A design department attracts more students, faculty, and funding
- It helps the institution stay competitive and forward-looking
We propose four new programs derived from courses in our current Digital Arts Program, each incorporating a mix of existing, and new curriculum courses and certificates, which are currently undergoing the approval process:
- Animation: Traditional, 2D Vector, 3D/CGI, Stop Motion, and Motion Graphics.
- Narrative Arts: Comic Books, Graphic Novels, and 3D Illustration.
- Product Design: Toy, consumer goods, and 3D Printing.
- VFX: Specializing in 3D/CGI.
Improves Student Outcomes
- Expands career options in fields like tech, media, and publishing
- Lets students apply artistic skills in real-world contexts
- Stronger employment outcomes boost the school’s reputation
Encourages Collaboration & Innovation
- Connects fine arts with design, humanities, and other fields
- Opens opportunities for interdisciplinary projects and experimentation
- Reflects how many contemporary artists already work
Protects the Division’s Artistic Identity
- Can be built around creativity, and collaboration, not just commercial work
- Supports, rather than replaces, Fine Arts programs
- Organizes and strengthens existing design-related teaching
Increase Revenue
- Attracts more students = higher tuition income
- Enables new programs (certificates, online courses, workshops)
- Brings in industry funding, sponsorships, and grants
Alignment with Industry Practices
- Creative industries like animation and product design rely on specialized design teams
- A Design department helps students practice real-world, team-based projects
- This prepares students to compete professionally by building strong design skills and communication
Focus on User-Centered Design
- Design focuses on user experience and solving problems
- A Design department highlights user-centered thinking
- This ensures student work meets audience needs and expectations
Improve Financial Stability
- Diversifies income beyond traditional fine arts programs
- Design programs tend to have consistent demand and enrollment
- Reduces reliance on fewer or declining majors
Strengthen Long-Term Value
- Graduates with strong careers → better alumni donations
- Stronger reputation → more applicants and funding opportunities
- Builds partnerships with industry that can generate ongoing income
In summary, establishing a new Design department presents numerous advantages for our students. This strategic initiative aims to elevate the creative capabilities of our College, Fine Arts Division, departments, programs and students, fostering innovation and success in today's competitive landscape.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusivity of our Proposal
The Importance of Equity, Diversity & Inclusivity
We believe that not all students should be taught the same things. What works for one student may not work for another. The self-expression, creativity-driven, and exploration of aesthetic concepts by art students can be lost with design-thinking students, who are focused on problem-solving, functionality, and communication through visual elements. By recognizing and accommodating this diversity, we can create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment where all students can thrive.
Not all students find adequate self-reflection of their diverse cultural heritage and lived experiences through the lens of traditional classical art curricula. By incorporating diverse perspectives, histories, and traditions into a design-focused curriculum, we can make design education more relevant, engaging, and meaningful for design-thinking students.
Not all students have equal access to resources, opportunities, or support systems outside of the classroom. Some students face systemic barriers such as economic disadvantage, lack of access to technology and materials, and limited exposure to design in their communities. We plan to address these inequities and provide additional support and resources to design-thinking students who need it most, by leveling the playing field and ensuring that these marginalized students have the opportunity to succeed.
A more inclusive, responsive, and effective approach to design education will meet the needs of these students and prepare them for success in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. Here are the five main areas we want to cover:
- Representation: Representation in design education and practice is of extreme importance. A new design department that embraces equity and diversity can ensure that a wide range of voices, perspectives, and experiences are represented in the field. This not only enriches the learning environment but also prepares students to work effectively in diverse professional settings.
- Access and Inclusion: We need to create opportunities for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in design. By establishing a design department committed to equity and diversity, you can promote access and inclusion in the field, breaking down barriers and providing pathways for all students to thrive.
- Innovation and Creativity: Diversity drives innovation and creativity in design. Diverse teams are more innovative and produce better outcomes. By fostering a diverse learning community within a new design department, we can inspire collaboration, spark creativity, and push the boundaries of design practice.
- Social Responsibility: The creation of a design department with a focus on equity and diversity reflects the College's commitment to social responsibility. Design plays a significant role in shaping society, and by prioritizing equity and diversity in design education, the College can contribute to positive social change and address pressing issues such as social justice, environmental sustainability, and accessibility.
- Professional Relevance: In today's globalized and interconnected world, designers need to be culturally competent and socially aware to effectively engage with diverse audiences and address complex challenges. A design department that integrates equity and diversity into its curriculum and pedagogy can better prepare students for success in the profession.