Design Arts & Practices
Are you passionate about art, design and information, and how they come together and are applied to making a better world? If so, the Bachelor of Arts in Design Arts & Practices (DAP) degree is for you.
This program will give you a foundation in creative thinking and creative making from an interdisciplinary perspective to tackle real-world problems, including public health emergencies and social and environmental issues. Students will choose from three design emphasis areas: visual design, object and spatial.
- Emphasis Areas
- Skills & Career Fields
- Resources & Facilities
- Apply
Emphasis Areas
To pursue a BA in Design Arts & Practices, you must choose one of the following three emphasis areas:
Visual Design
Studies focus on works in digital form, such as websites, games, animation, apps and kiosks; and works on paper, such as publications, posters, games, comics, books and magazines.
Offered to Main Campus and Arizona Online students.
• View and download the 2025-26 BA DAP Visual Design checklist for detailed information and courses.
Object Design
Studies focus on works in 3D, such as hand-held and portable products, furnishings, furniture and systems.
Offered to Main Campus students only, in collaboration with the College of Architecture, Planning & Landscape Architecture (CAPLA).
• View and download the 2025-26 BA DAP Object checklist for detailed info and courses.
Spatial Design
Studies focus on works that involve place, such as human scale environments, situated events, interiors, exhibitions and urban spaces.
Offered to Main Campus students only, in collaboration with the College of Architecture, Planning & Landscape Architecture (CAPLA).
• View and download the 2025-26 BA DAP Spatial checklist for detailed info and courses.
More info
Interdisciplinary: Courses across Art, Design, Information Science, and Technology in distinct, interdisciplinary ways will shape your degree plan moving from foundations and skills over the first two years, to theories and issues, and a culminating capstone project. Capstone projects will be developed through transdisciplinary lenses.
Note: CAPLA partners with the College of Fine Arts on the BA DAP Object Design and Spatial Design emphasis areas. Students have an opportunity to immerse themselves in design thinking in CAPLA courses and facilities, but will graduate with a College of Fine Arts degree.
Undergrad course descriptions:
Degree RequirementsSkills & Career Fields
DAP students will develop core conceptual and technical skills to design artifacts and experiences across a range of scales and media.
Project-based courses will build your abilities in problem solving and seeking, innovating with and through technologies, and developing creative visual strategies to address real-world problems. History, theory, and academic courses will construct cultural frameworks for depth and breadth in research and application.
You’ll be able to apply these skills to a career in fields such as:
- Experience and User Interface Design
- Product Design
- Industrial Design
- Information Design
- Graphic Design/Desktop Publishing
- Interior and Spatial Design
- Set and Exhibition Design
- Environmental and Fashion Design
- Art/Illustration
- Multimedia Design/Animation
- Art Direction
- Web Design
Resources and Facilities
Within the College of Fine Arts there are a number of computer labs reserved exclusively for graphic applications. Through the Office of Student Computing Resources (OSCR), students have access to a wide variety of technologies, training, and support in computer, video and audio production.
Within the School of Art there are numerous studios, labs, and classrooms dedicated to instruction and critique. Most spaces are equipped with digital projection and sound systems, pin-up walls and worktables, wireless connectivity and high speed internet.
Digital Print Studio
The Digital Print Studio uses a service based drop-off system and provides high quality, fine art digital prints using state-of-the-art printers and scanners. The studio also offers finishing services, which include mounting, matting, and framing. Visit the Digital Print Studio website for more information.
Book Art & Letterpress Lab
The Book Art and Letterpress Lab supports on campus letterpress printing, experimental printing, paper techniques, binding and bookery. Visit the Book Art & Letterpress Lab for more information.
ALL SCHOOL FACILITIES & STUDIOS
