Bachelor of Design Degree Program Guide

Join the University of Alberta’s Bachelor of Design (BDes) program to harness your creativity, master design principles, and embark on a transformative journey that prepares you for a successful career in the ever-evolving field of design.

Our specialized and competitive BDes is the perfect way to start your journey towards a career in Design, whether that means starting your own design business, applying for positions within a larger firm, going on to do a degree in Architecture, or myriad other design-related careers.

Our BDes students can focus on Industrial Design, Visual Communication Design, or they may choose to do both. Whichever path they decide, students in this program are certain to have exciting futures as innovative and impactful designers.

Academic Requirements for Bachelor of Design students

The University of Alberta Calendar will always contain the most up-to-date degree requirements for your program, and your requirements are determined by the calendar year you were admitted in.

What kinds of careers can you pursue with a Bachelor of Design degree?

There are many different fields and career paths that students can pursue with a Bachelor of Design degree. From performing arts to visual communications, graduates are equipped with project management, attention to detail and creative thinking skills to name a few, that are assets in today’s job market. Although there is a list of career options below, it is important to understand that careers are not linear. Intentionally engaging in a variety of activities and following your curiosities will open new opportunities that you might not have expected. To learn more about how you can put your Arts degree to work, stop by the HUB Career Centre (8917 HUB Mall) for more information.

  • Professional Artists
  • Printmaker
  • Graphic and Visual Communications Designer
  • UX/UI (User Experience/User Interface) Designer
  • Illustrator
  • 2D/3D Animation Modeler
  • Product Creator
  • Industrial Designer
  • Educator (Professor, Secondary or Primary)
  • Curator & Gallery Director
  • Exhibition Designer
  • Museum Educator
  • Arts & Cultural Manager
  • Communications and Marketing Consultant 
  • Video Communications Specialist
  • +More!

Interested in gaining work experience related to your career goals? If so, apply to Arts Work Experience to gain full-time, PAID, work experience before you graduate!

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