College of Fine Arts and Design

As design disciplines continue to grow, design students need an environment in which they can develop their skills, knowledge and identities as designers. With that in mind, the Department of Design was created in 2001 as a part of the College of Fine Arts and Design. UCO is the first university in the region to house its design programs, Graphic Design and Interior Design, in their own Department of Design.

The Department of Design administers undergraduate (BFA) degree options in Graphic Design and Interior Design, a new minor in Design and a graduate (MFA) degree in Design that are pre-professional career preparation programs that provide the necessary facilities, technology, theories, information and skills to help students excel in:

• Developing unique, innovative and effective solutions to design problems
• Clearly communicating concepts and solutions
• Understanding philosophies, theories and terminology of design
• Rendering, executing and producing design
• Presenting concepts and solutions orally and in writing
• Developing high standards of professional practice

Department Accomplishments

• Interior Design program accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)
• The number of design majors has increased steadily to over 400, one of the largest enrollment of design majors in the state
• The Department of Design is the largest department in the College of Fine Arts and Design
• Numerous awards have been earned by students, graduates, and faculty
• Design students and faculty are active in AIGA - American Institute of Graphic Arts, ASID - American Society of Interior Designers, IIDA - International Interior Design Association
• The programs enjoy excellent working relationships with design firms in central Oklahoma through internships, gallery exhibits, guest lectures and study tours
• The programs have strong hiring records with design graduates working in the Oklahoma City metro area, Tulsa, Dallas, Kansas City and other major national markets

Professional Practice
The reputation and success of the Design programs at UCO has perpetuated their strength in placing good students in good jobs as:

• Graphic Designers
• Art Directors
• Illustrators
• New Media and Web Designers
• Pre-Press/Production Artists
• Residential Interior Designers
• Commercial Interior Designers
• Furniture Designers
• Space Planners

Graduates work in design firms, corporate design departments, architectural offices, and design support industries; and many are successfully self-employed.