Art and Design - Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago’s Art and Design Department accentuates the importance of a well-rounded education along with the development of students’ technical and conceptual skills in multiple disciplines. We want our students to become creative thinkers and producers as well as great leaders and entrepreneurs. The curriculum of the department, therefore, encourages students to develop their creativity and to learn the importance of the diligence to their success as professional designers, artists, and historians.

During their first year, students learn a variety of basic skills that prepare them for further study in their majors. The foundational courses include drawing, two-dimensional design, and three-dimensional design, as well as photography and art history. These courses are structured to provide practical and creative learning opportunities as students prepare to specialize in one of six Bachelor of Fine Arts majors: Advertising Art Direction, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Architecture, and Product Design. For students who want a more liberal approach to learning and the freedom to investigate a broad range of interests, the department also offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History, as well as Bachelor of Arts in Art & Design.

Our highly skilled faculty possesses a commitment to and exuberance about art, design, and history that is actively communicated to students, both in and outside the classroom. Many are award-winning, internationally exhibiting artists, published writers, or highly talented practitioners in various design fields.

The Art + Design Department has outstanding facilities supported by expert staff. From drawing, painting, and fashion studios to model and wood shops, from graphics and Auto-CAD labs to experimental digital media spaces, we have the tools to teach students how to be professional practitioners within their chosen majors.

As part of a large and vibrant community, the Art + Design Department offers many programs beyond the classroom that supplement the curriculum including lecture series, internships, competitions, study abroad programs, and exhibitions. Manifest, our annual College-wide senior exhibition event, is the largest student art exhibition in the city and allows graduating seniors and graduate students to exhibit their work to the community at large.

Jay Wolke
Chairperson, Art and Design

About Columbia

Notable Alumni

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"You chose your major because you had to. It was your passion: a strong and genuine desire to make the arts and media your life's work. That passion will serve you well." - Warrick L. Carter, President of Columbia College Chicago

Our students come from all walks of life, from a variety of backgrounds and from a multitude of experiences, but however different they may appear, a common ground exists: our students are passionate.

Columbia College Chicago offers an academically rigorous creative learning environment for students eager to study the visual, performing, media, and communication arts. At Columbia we wed theory and practice. Throughout their studies, students are firmly rooted in coursework in the Liberal Arts and Sciences, as well as the fundamental theories and histories that shape their chosen disciplines. Equally important, they get their hands dirty by creating work of their own, collaborating with students from other disciplines, making industry contacts, and working alongside faculty who provide the context and expertise to guide their work.

By their final year Columbia students have developed a Body of Work that gives voice to their talent and personal vision. The countless hours logged at consoles, the late hours spent in practice rooms, the miles ran across stages, and the dog-eared pages of their notebooks demonstrate a unique passion not found on any other campus in the nation.

Student Profile: Vicente Vasquez

Select a photo to enlarge.

Vicente Vasquez Portfolio Graphic Design Graduation Year 2012 Des Moines, IA
What made Columbia College Chicago the school for you?		Shopping around for which art school to attend can be a task in its self. I found Columbia through a friend who was attending and attended an open house. During open house I felt an energy from the staff and students that was like no other school I had visited: it was a whole school filled with people just like me. I was thrilled that I could start my major my first semester and really dive right into the program.
Tell us about your first semester here.		I must say not only my first semester but my first year at Columbia was amazing. I met some amazing people in the dorms and had a blast getting to know more about the school and being out and about in the city. I was a bit nervous like any freshman would be coming to a new school, in new city, where I knew no one, but I quickly met people during weeks of welcome and quickly developed a family with the people on our floor, followed with family dinners at least twice a week where we would all cook dinner together and enjoy a movie or sometimes homework.
What are three things every Columbia student needs in their dorm room?		Penne Sandwich Maker is a must. Make some of the worlds best grilled cheese sandwiches like the cafes down the street for half the cost and all your friends will be jealous. Coffee Maker. Coffee will be one of the most beautiful things when you get up in the city and need an extra boost to get you to your next event. House slippers so you can easily throw them on to visit your floormates.
What's the first thing new students should do when they get here?		New students should mix and mingle with as many people as possible when they first arrive. Also link up with some cool upperclassmen who can also help you out. Having a new group of people to network really will make the rest of your experience interesting.
Why did you choose your major?		I was lucky enough to be able to take a graphic design class in studio style setting when I was in high school. After taking art classes over the years, it was this class that opened my eyes to the industry of graphic design and all of the great things I could do with this major. I love how with this career choice I have the many options of what I can do as a young professional now and yet can explore the opportunity to mix up my job choices in the future.
What are three things every student needs to know about your major?		Graphic Design is a broad degree with many job options and fields after graduation. The field of graphic design is just as competitive as any other arts career. Graphic designers are truly here to communicate with the world in a visually pleasing manner.
What do you think has changed about you most since coming to Columbia?		My body of work. If you look at the work I was producing in high school compared to now you'd almost think two different people made these portfolios. Being in a urban enviroment with so much around me, the people, the art, the venues, has truly influced my work in a great way.

Student Organizations

Housing

Columbia’s urban campus is home to some of the most innovative student housing available. Our four residence centers are centrally located on campus, each with their own unique vibe, and provide ideal settings for creative students. Each building features its own unique set of amenities (from music practice rooms, fitness centers, bicycle storage, to a graffiti room), and each uniquely embodies the innovative mindset of the College. Columbia’s residence centers are a hub of social activity—actively building strong communities by providing the events, social support, and resources that truly make it their home-away-from-home.

Those interested in an immersive residential environment are encouraged to explore the Visual Arts Living Learning Community, which brings together students who like to paint, draw, photograph, graffiti, collage or explore any of the visual art forms.

Of note, Columbia’s on-campus housing is situated in the heart of the “South Loop Education Corridor” of Chicago, among the safest neighborhoods in the third largest city in the United States with steps-away access to mass transit. The adventurous will appreciate the numerous cultural, career and social opportunities awaiting them at the nearby clubs, theatre companies, and media agencies; the homesick will take comfort in experiencing that a short walk or brief ride will take them to a meal as good as mom made, be it a classic American diner in the Loop or a beloved pho restaurant in Little Vietnam.

How to Apply for Housing

Students who apply for Admission using Columbia’s Online Application should complete the On-Campus Housing section of the application. Students who apply for Admission using the Common Application will be asked to complete an On-Campus Housing application separately.

Important Note: Housing is assigned on a first-come first-served basis, and we do our best to match students with the “room-type” and/or roommate preference they indicate on the application. Housing assignments are made exclusively by room-type, and not by building. More information about residence life and housing are available here.

Thank you for your interest in applying to Columbia College Chicago. We welcome applications from all students interested in becoming part of our diverse and uniquely creative community. We look forward to reviewing your application!

Ready to apply?
Visit our Apply page to begin.

For all domestic students, there are three key parts to Columbia’s application:

1 of 3		Application, including housing portion, essay and application fee
2 of 3		Letter of recommendation
3 of 3		Official transcript(s)

Regarding test scores: If you have taken the ACT or SAT, and your scores are not on your transcript, please arrange to have your test results forwarded separately to the Admissions Office. Although the ACT or SAT is not required for admission to Columbia College Chicago, these tests are valuable tools for advising new students. In many cases ACT scores may be used as an alternative to the college's assessment test. All students are strongly urged to complete one of these tests while they are in high school.

Detailed information about the application process is available on the Apply page.

International applicants are welcome: please view special instructions to ensure your application is completed properly.

Fall 2013 Applicants
January 1, 2013		FAFSA Application process opens
May 1, 2013		General deadline for Fall 2013
July 31, 2013		Final decision date for Fall 2013

About Columbia

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Student Profile: Vicente Vasquez

Student Organizations

Housing

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