Design
Design
Design
Design
Design

Design Studio Discipline

Design courses offer students autonomy and agency in the face of an ever-changing cultural landscape. The study of graphic design, design methodologies, modes of production, and design histories, provides our students with the skillsets required to actively participate in visual culture, commerce, and communication.

Students build a body of work demonstrating their mastery of tools, media and concepts to effectively communicate ideas to a target audience. The curriculum includes coursework in composition, typography, strategy and design process, design methodologies and research, portfolio development, web and multimedia design, design entrepreneurship and real-world internships in local design firms. Risk-taking, experimentation and productive criticism are central to our program. Our curriculum works as an on-going design laboratory.

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.

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.

Art & Design Programs

Art & Design studio disciplines are connected to a variety of academic programs, including majors, minors, certificates and graduate programs. This is a full list of all programs offered by the Department of Art & Design.

A UWM Art BA studio in community arts paints a large mural while working on a table in the Kenilworth Gallery.
MajorOn Campus
Black and white illustration of a student working at a cluttered desk with surreal creative elements.
Master’sOn Campus
Two Art MFA students sit cross-legged on an industrial floor while exploring a interactive digital artwork.
Master’sOn Campus
UWM Art Education BFA student works closely with a young child on a piece of art with a box of sixty-four crayons.
MajorOn Campus
Arts Integration and Learning Certificate
Undergraduate CertificateOn Campus
A student is seen on scaffolding with a paint roller while painting a large mural on the side of a brick wall.
Undergraduate CertificateOn Campus
Two graphic design students hang colorful cards from strings during the Design and Visual Communication Capstone event.
MinorOn Campus
A colorful set of 3D printed self portraits designed by UWM Digital Fabrication & Design students.
Undergraduate CertificateOn Campus
Individual engaging with a student created game design in Kenilworth Square East Gallery
Undergraduate CertificateOn Campus
An illustration using blue and gold hues of three individuals wearing round glasses.
Undergraduate CertificateOn Campus
Two photography students hold a negative strip and examine their undeveloped photographs.
MinorOn Campus
Two Studio Art BFA students work back to back while screenprinting patterns onto large sheets of paper.
MajorOn Campus
A studio art student works with a loom with fabric and spools of colorful thread sit on shelves behind them.
MinorOn Campus

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.


  • Lecturer, Art & Design
  • Associate Professor, Design & Visual Communication
  • Co-Area Head, Design & Visual Communication
  • Associate Professor, Digital Fabrication & Design
  • Associate Professor, Design & Visual Communication
  • Area Head, Digital Fabrication & Design
  • Lecturer, Design & Visual Communication
  • Assistant Professor, Design & Visual Communication
  • Co-Area Head, Design & Visual Communication
  • Lecturer, Design & Visual Communication
  • Professor, Design & Visual Communication
  • Co-Area Head, Design & Visual Communication
  • Teaching Faculty II, Design & Visual Communication
  • Lecturer, Design & Visual Communication
  • Faculty Advisor, AIGA UWM
  • Teaching Faculty II, Digital Fabrication & Design
  • Technician, Digital Fabrication & Design
Important Dates

Art & Design

Undergraduate Scholarship Priority Applications
Fall: December 15

Graduate Applications
Fall: January 25
Those eligible for the Advanced Opportunity Program Fellowship (AOP) should apply by December 10.

Contact
Art & Design

Undergraduate Programs
Katie Martin-Meurer, art-admission@uwm.edu

Graduate Programs
Jessica Meuninck Ganger, art-grad-admission@uwm.edu

General Info & Questions
Contact Form | 414-229-4763

Upcoming Art & Design Events