BFA and BA in Studio Art and Design
Study art and design at one of the nation's top research universities.
Whether you want to publish illustrated books, create sculptural installations, design for public health initiatives, launch your own fashion line, produce aerial drone videos, make interactive websites—or anything else you can imagine—we will help you forge the educational path to get there.
AREAS OF STUDY
Bachelor of Fine Arts Program
- More studio-intensive experience
- 65 credits of studio courses (about ½ of your total coursework)
- Majors: Studio Art, Communication Design, Fashion Design
- Capstone experience + annual thesis exhibition
**Students may also earn the BFA as part of a dual-degree program.
Bachelor of Arts Program
- Broader liberal arts focus
- 30-36 credits of studio courses (about ¼ of your total coursework)
- Majors in Studio Art or Design (Communication or Fashion concentration)
- No capstone requirement
Second Majors
- Major in Studio Art or Design
- Open to all WashU undergraduates
- Develops essential skills, like visual thinking + creativity
Minors
- Creative Practice for Social Change
- Design
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Studio Art
The amazing faculty taught me lessons I’ll always carry with me—consideration, fearlessness, failure, hard work—and helped me grow in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
Art and Design Life
Being a Sam Fox School student is a unique experience at WashU. Our wide range of student and faculty projects–from useful apps to humongous installations–keeps things interesting on the East End.
Since 2000, first-years in Arny Nadler’s 3D class have created “Arnymovers,” contraptions designed to hold and move their instructor.
STUDENT AND ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS
Virgil Marti, BFA ‘84, is an artist known for his works in sculpture and installation — which have been described as flamboyant and psychedelic — as well as his many years spent as a master printer.
Deandra J. Nichols, BFA ’10/MSW ’14, leads YouTube’s Culture Lab team, promoting user experience research with marginalized communities.
Recent Student Work
PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS
Undergraduate Art & Design at WashU
Learn about the undergraduate art and design programs we offer.