The 2024 Design Application is now open. The deadline to apply is May 31 at 11:59pm.
There is a $20 application fee for expenses related to reviewing and processing applications. This fee is non-refundable. No exceptions. By submitting your fee, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to this no-refund policy. For questions concerning the non-refundable fee, please email the School's Advising Office at uaskart@uw.edu.
Eligibility
To be eligible for application, you must be a current UW Seattle student who has taken DESIGN 166, or you must be a transfer student who has already applied for admission to the UW for autumn quarter. Note that UW Bothell and UW Tacoma students are considered transfer students to UW Seattle. For more information on eligibility, read our Bachelor of Design Admissions page.
If you have submitted a Design Application previously and wish to apply for admission again, complete the application form and follow its prompts related to reapplication.
Privacy
The Division of Design does not share your email address, phone number, or other contact information with any other organization or individual. We are committed to following the UW online privacy policy.
Application Requirements
Application to the Bachelor of Design majors (Industrial Design, Interaction Design, and Visual Communication Design) requires the materials listed below. These materials should be submitted via the application form by the date/time listed at the top of this webpage.
The application form requires the uploading of a series of PDFs. Each of these is described further below. Please name your PDFs as follows:
- lastname_firstname_Resume.pdf
- lastname_firstname_Portfolio.pdf
- lastname_firstname_Transcripts.pdf
The form also includes a series of questions for which you should be prepared. The questions are below.
Resume
Include the following information:
- Name and contact information
- High school name/location and GPA
- Current UW GPA and total credits earned
- Previous college GPA and total credits earned
- TOEFL Score (if applicable)
- Extracurricular Activities
- Volunteer and/or Paid Work Experience
- Photograph (optional)
Portfolio
See our sample portfolio (5.1 MB PDF file).
Your portfolio should consist of five to ten samples of design work. You can format your portfolio as:
- A personal portfolio website
- A multi-page Google slide deck (be sure to make the file visible to “anyone with the link”)
- A multi-page letter-size (8.5 x 11”) PDF file
You can use multiple pages to describe a complex project and/or to explain your design process. Please number all pages. For each project, please include a short caption (1–2 sentences) that explains the work being shown. For example, if the project shown was completed in a class, explain the objective and time frame of the assignment. If you have taken DESIGN 166 at UW, please include all of your class projects. If you revise a DESIGN 166 course project after receiving your final grade, please show the original project as well as the revised work. Describe how and why you revised the project(s), and clearly label the new project(s) as "Revised."
For students interested in Industrial Design, we recommend showing:
- Functional products that you have designed (such as furniture, containers, tools, etc.). If possible, show key points in your design process, including prototypes and models.
- Hand-drawn sketches. We are interested in both explanatory drawings (drawings that show/explain how a product or service works) as well as fine art and hobby-based sketches.
- Other 3D objects you have built, especially those that show skills in fabrication and/or special materials. For example, hobby projects (model airplanes, drones, etc.) and art-based projects (sculpture, ceramics, etc.). Explain the purpose and context of the 3-D object shown.
- 3D digital models, renderings or animations. We are interested in any skills you already have with digital tools and digital fabrication.
FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN INTERACTION DESIGN, YOUR PORTFOLIO SHOULD BE A RESPONSE TO THE FOLLOWING TAKE-HOME PROMPT:
Envision a novel way for interacting with computing, environments, and people using a combination of Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence.
Identify a promising and impactful application for this interaction. Share your envisioned experience with us in the form of illustrations, interface designs, and a walkthrough of the experience in the form of a drawn storyboard.
You can find additional information about this take-home assignment here.
Your portfolio should be comprised of 20 pages. Of these 20 pages, dedicate 8–12 pages to the assignment above (e.g. one-page project description, one-page project hero image, four-page storyboard with 2-3 storyboard frames per page, four pages design details — key interface elements, physical components, voice interaction script, etc.)
Add 8-12 pages of other relevant design examples of your choice (can be past projects you’ve worked on, design projects from 166, or other things you are interested in). We are interested in the following aspects of your portfolio:
- Hand-drawn sketches (in pencil or black ink pen - ball pen, fineliner, etc) that show, explain, and/or diagram how an interaction works (Open here…, this gesture evokes this interaction…, on tap a display transforms from this state to that state…) We are also interested in hand-drawn studies of form (interesting formal elements of everyday objects - how two elements are joined, hinges, zippers, folding chairs, umbrella mechanisms, walkthrough of spaces…).
- Hand-drawn storyboards that show an interaction flow for your interaction experience
- Screen-based interface designs for mobile devices, computers, and headsets (hand-drawn and digital)
- Other forms of narratives, scripts, or sketches (e.g. voice interaction scripts, scenarios, diagrams, etc.
For students interested in Visual Communication Design, we recommend showing:
- Posters, page layouts, advertisements, etc., that show your ability to create and communicate a concept with words and images.
- Screen-based designs such as websites and/or mobile/tablet app screens, etc., that show your ability to create and organize an interface.
- Logos or sets of symbols/icons that show your ability to create and communicate with abstract graphic forms.
- Photography. Explain the concept and/or context of the photo (for example, if the photograph was used for a specific purpose).
- Hand drawn or digital illustrations that show your ability to create and communicate with drawings and/or other mediums. Explain the concept and/or context of the illustration.
Transcripts
Include all college transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
Questions
These are the questions included in the application form:
- What aspects of your intended major (Industrial Design, Interaction Design or Visual Communication Design) do you find most interesting and why? (Note: please avoid generic responses such as "everything is design.")
- What experiences or investigations have you had thus far in Industrial Design, Visual Communication Design, and/or Interaction Design? For example, have you completed any volunteer or paid design projects? Do you personally know or follow the work of specific professional designers? Are there specific instances where the design of something has impacted you positively or negatively in a unique way? (Note: please do not generally describe Apple products.)
- Why do you feel our Bachelor of Design program is right for you? (Note: your answer will be more compelling if it goes beyond financial incentives or issues of relocation.)
- What academic interests do you have besides design? Describe specific classes that you have enjoyed or fields of study that you have explored, and explain why you found them interesting.
- What are your extracurricular and personal interests? Are you involved in any clubs or student organizations? Are you passionate about specific activities? Do you work or volunteer at a company or organization while attending UW? Why have you chosen to be involved in these efforts?
- If you are not accepted into the Bachelor of Design program, what would you plan to major in and why?
Notification
Students will be notified by email of their status (accepted, rejected, or wait-listed) by June 22. Accepted students should contact the School's Advising Office by June 30 to accept the offer of the major and register for the Autumn sophomore design classes.
All decisions are final (there is no appeal process). If you are rejected, we suggest meeting with a UW academic adviser to discuss selecting another major. If you are interested in other majors within the School of Art + Art History + Design, we suggest meeting with one of our academic advisers. The UW Career Center also offers a variety of career exploration services.