Seattle Central College Transfer Major Planning Guide
DESIGN (GAME, GRAPHIC, INTERIOR)
What can I do with a major in design?
The design field includes a wide range of concentrations and develops a variety of skills and talents that have
direct applications in many industries. While all areas of design require creative thinking, some are very
artistic, while others are closer to engineering. Students who study graphic design may work in advertising
agencies, publishing houses, or as in-house designers for companies or organizations. Interior designers may
design residential interiors or commercial or public spaces such as restaurants, theaters, airports, hospitals,
and office buildings. Designers also work to create new products – from automobiles to furniture to kitchen
gadgets - as well as games, computer applications, and web pages.
Popular design majors include:
• Graphic design (also called visual design or visual communication)
• Game design
• Human-centered design
• Interior design
• Industrial design
How can I prepare at Seattle Central for a major in design?
Students planning to major in design at a baccalaureate institution can start at Seattle Central taking general
education requirements to prepare to transfer. Because design programs can have large numbers of required
studio classes and may or may not accept Seattle Central courses as equivalent, it may be best to transfer after
completing just a few quarters instead of completing an associate degree. Specific transfer credit policies and
minimum credit requirements vary according to the transfer university, so it is STRONGLY recommended that
students begin talking with admissions and transfer advisors at their potential transfer universities in their first
quarters at Seattle Central. Students can then work with an advisor at Seattle Central to ensure they take the
most appropriate classes before they transfer.
Students planning to major in design should consider working toward the Associate of Arts – DTA. Advisors
can help students look at prerequisite requirements and choose the degree that will work best for them.
Consider an emphasis to your associate degree before you transfer, such as Equity and Social Justice or Global
Studies. This can enhance your resume, personal experience and be something you put into your personal
statement. You may even already have completed it without knowing it! For questions on how to plan your
emphasis, please contact your advisor.
Tips for Success as a Design Major
• Many university design programs will require a portfolio of previous work as part of the admissions
process. Check university requirements and take classes at Seattle Central that can help to develop
your portfolio.
Revised 01-2017
• Check prerequisites, admission requirements, and GPA requirements at your intended transfer
university early so you can be well-prepared to transfer.
• Design is a fairly specialized major and is not offered at all universities. Make sure to check carefully to
make sure the universities you are considering offer your preferred major.
• Check both university admission and graduation requirements at your preferred transfer university as
a guide to choosing your classes. Some universities, for example, may require a year of foreign
language as a graduation requirement. It may be much easier (and cheaper!) to meet that
requirement at Seattle Central rather than waiting until later.
Where can I earn a bachelor’s degree in design?
In the Seattle area, the following universities offer bachelor’s degrees in design:
Cornish College of the Arts – Interior Architecture, Visual Communication and Motion Design
DigiPen Institute of Technology – Game Design
Seattle Pacific University – Visual Communications, Interior Design
University of Washington, Seattle – Industrial, Interaction, and Visual Communication Design
If you wish to expand your search beyond the Seattle area, many universities offer undergraduate majors in
design. You can use the College Navigator search engine found at http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
to find
design programs in Washington State or around the country.
What do I need to consider when I look for a transfer university?
Design school vs. university: Design students need to decide if they plan to attend a school that specializes in
design or a comprehensive university that offers majors in design. Students at a design school will usually
spend more of their time in design classes and less time in general education classes. They will be surrounded
by other students studying design, and their programs may be more focused on professional training and job
placement. Students looking for a more traditional college experience, exposure to a wider variety of students
and academic areas, or the opportunity to double-major or minor in a field other than design may be better
served by a comprehensive university or a liberal arts college.
Degree – BFA vs. BA/BS: Another thing aspiring design students should consider is whether they would prefer
to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or a more general Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in their
chosen specialty. The BFA is more commonly offered at design schools, but can be earned at comprehensive
universities as well. It usually requires that a larger percentage of the total credits a student earns be in studio
courses. A BA or BS requires fewer credits of studio design courses which may allow a student to double-major
or earn a minor in another field
Next Steps:
• Contact the universities you are interested in attending early in your time at Seattle Central to find out
what their admission requirements are, what art or design classes offered at Seattle Central they will
accept, and when they recommend that you apply to transfer.
• Meet with an advisor to choose a transfer degree, discuss prerequisites, and plan what classes you
need to take in the next quarter or two.
• Explore the professional organizations in your area of interest for more information about education
and career options.
