Mike Driscoll, a Peck School of the Arts alum and teacher at Bay View High School, has been named one of five national recipients of the 2025 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. The award includes $100,000 to support Driscoll’s continued impact on students through hands-on learning …
Design Minor
Studying design opens doors. That’s because effective communication is essential in every field, and that means more than choosing the right words to communicate with a target audience. With our design minor, you’ll learn to use visual elements and strategy to truly drive your message.
Our minor in design leverages the expertise of our Design & Visual Communication program to offer you a succinct – but powerful – study of graphic design in a hands-on, interdisciplinary environment. With a focus on design theory and practice, you’ll learn how to use design to solve complex problems and communicate ideas effectively. It’s a perfect complement to a wide variety of majors, providing you with the skill sets required to actively participate in visual culture, commerce and communication regardless of your future profession.
Program Type
Minor
Program Format
On Campus
The arts are for everyone
A minor or certificate in the arts provides a well-rounded education. That’s because the arts foster creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They enhance communication and presentation skills, which are valuable in any professional setting. Engaging in the arts also increases empathy and understanding of diverse people and perspectives. Plus, they bring a unique selling point to your resume by demonstrating a versatile skill set.
And let’s be honest: The arts are also a lot of fun, adding stress relief and variety to your college experience.
89%Executives agree that creativity is a top skill
91%Americans agree the arts are vital to education
73%Americans say the arts help them understand others
45Minutes of art making can reduce stress levels
Design Minor Program Details
When you pursue a minor in design, you’ll take a variety of courses that cover topics such as graphic design, typography and design history. You’ll also gain exposure to design software to create stunning visual designs.
As a design minor, you’ll learn from active artists who promote collaborative, interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial thinking and practice across the department, university, community and beyond. You’ll also learn alongside students in our BFA program, giving you the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals and gain valuable experience in a professional design environment.
Explore the Design Minor requirements in the Academic Catalog.
You may also be interested in our Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Design & Visual Communication to take your passion and talents to the next level.
Art & Design Studio Disciplines
Led by expert artist faculty, our art and design studio disciplines are content areas that provide focus to your creative research, practice and degree. We offer the following studio disciplines: Ceramics, Creative Technologies, Design, Digital Fabrication, Fibers, Jewelry & Metalsmithing, Painting & Drawing, Photography & Imaging, Printmaking & Book Arts and Sculpture.
First Year Program in Art & Design
We don’t expect our new students to figure out college life on their own. Our First Year Program is designed to help new art and design students. In addition to specific coursework carefully chosen to foster success, we connect students to the many resources and opportunities found within a research university. Plus, we surround students with individualized support as they dive deeper into their program and find their way.
Artists Now! Guest Lecture Series
Throughout the fall and spring semesters, the Artists Now! Guest Lecture Series welcomes a diverse group of nationally and internationally recognized artists working across traditional, hybrid and emergent disciplines. Join us to explore and expand boundaries of creative visual practices alongside others with an interest in contemporary visual art.
Galleries & Exhibitions
Our art and design programs host many galleries and exhibitions both on campus and throughout the community. Our campus is home to four permanent art galleries, each with its own unique mission. All of them are free, open to the public and accessible for everyone to enjoy.
Milwaukee is also home to dozens of galleries and museums. All students in an art and design degree program receive a free annual membership to the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM). That means you can visit MAM and its events, including the popular MAM After Dark series, free of charge while you are a student.
Internships & Opportunities
Students work and intern professionally with Milwaukee’s leading art museums and galleries, creative agencies, corporations and nonprofits. They also find internships across the country and beyond. Discover where your education can take you. Learn more about internships and opportunities.
Student Organizations & Clubs
Meet like-minded people in a wide variety of student organizations and clubs who inspire creativity and will support your aspirations. Collaborate and create, network with professional artists, and deepen your connection with faculty, mentors and fellow students outside of the classroom.
Study Abroad
We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.
Art & Design Alumni Stories
-
Art education alum recognized nationally for impact in skilled trades education
-
TikTok creator and UWM alum Geo Rutherford reconnects with her alma mater for Artists Now! lectureGeo Rutherford (MFA 2021, Art) is an artist, author, and TikTok creator with more than 1.8 million followers. She’s best known for her viral series Spooky Lake Month and for using her platform to share stories about the Great Lakes and environmental sustainability. On October 15, Rutherford will engage with …
Art & Design Careers
- 3D Animator / Modeler
- Advertising Director
- Animator
- App Developer
- Art Critic / Writer
- Art Dealer
- Art Director
- Art Gallery Owner
- Art Historian
- Art Therapist
- Artisan Solutionist
- Artist in Residence
- Artists’ Agent
- Arts Administrator
- Augmented Reality Designer
- Blacksmith
- Ceramicist
- Commercial Artist
- Community Artist
- Community Organizer
- Consultant
- Costume Designer
- Creative Services Manager
- Curator
- Design Manager
- Designer
- Director of Community Engagement
- Educator
- Entrepreneur
- Exhibit Designer
- Fabricator
- Fashion Designer
- Fine Artist
- Floral Designer
- Font Designer
- Freelance Artist
- Furniture Designer / Restorer
- Game Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Graphic Artist
- Illustrator
- Industrial Designer
- Interactive Designer
- Interior Designer
- Jewelry Designer / Maker
- Lighting Designer
- Makeup Artist
- Marketing & Sales Director
- Metalsmith
- Mixed Media Artist
- Muralist
- Museum Director
- Packaging Designer
- Painter
- Photographer
- Photographic Stylist
- Photographic Technician
- Printmaker
- Product Designer
- Production Artist
- Program Director / Coordinator
- Prop Maker
- Public Artist
- Public Relations Director
- Sculptor
- Set Designer
- Sketch Artist
- Stylist
- Technical Designer, Apparel
- Textile Designer
- Toy Maker
- User Experience / User Interface Designer
- Visual Merchandiser
- Visual / Special Effects Artist
- Web Designer / Developer
Design Minor Program Faculty
Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Art & Design faculty and staff please click the button below.
- Associate Professor, Design & Visual Communication
- Co-Area Head, Design & Visual Communication
- grame@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4258
- Art Building 430B
- Associate Professor, Digital Fabrication & Design
- Associate Professor, Design & Visual Communication
- Area Head, Digital Fabrication & Design
- hawk@uwm.edu
- Art Building 430B
- Assistant Professor, Design & Visual Communication
- larsenw@uwm.edu
- 817-805-3409
- Kenilworth Square East 545
- Professor, Design & Visual Communication
- Co-Area Head, Design & Visual Communication
- lmoline@uwm.edu
- Art Building 417
- Lecturer, Design & Visual Communication
- Faculty Advisor, AIGA UWM
- amryan@uwm.edu
- Art Building 417
- Teaching Faculty II, Digital Fabrication & Design
- Technician, Digital Fabrication & Design
- vivirito@uwm.edu
- Kenilworth Square East 368
