Digital Design

Digital Design is a graphic design program taught in an urban setting at the University of Colorado Denver in the LoDo neighborhood of downtown Denver. Students integrate creative solutions, visual design, and critical thinking with expertise in advanced electronic media. Courses are taught in state-of-the-art labs using of all the major software used in design and video. As a BFA major, students move beyond technology and consider the social implications of visual communication and the potential for design to solve problems and improve life.

Digital Design graduates are employed in advertising agencies, design firms, motion graphic studios, digital agencies and in-house design departments including nationally recognized firms such as Google, Karsh Hagen, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Victoria’s Secret, J Crew, Michael Kors, EffectiveUI, Mercedes-Benz,  Hewlett-Packard and IBM. Many graduates have applied their knowledge of branding and design to launch startups, create apps, start design firms and to launch streetwear lines.

Alumni have had their work featured in industry publications including Adweek, Branding Magazine, Trendhunters, Design Taxi, and Fast Company Magazine. Graduate accolades include two Emmy Awards for motion graphics, a SXSW interactive award and a D&AD New Blood award for branding.

Through an interdisciplinary approach, the Digital Design program produces designers who use technology in innovative ways and understand the cultural impact of digital technologies to produce solutions for branding, advertising, social causes and to solve human problems. Students become highly competent in visual design using a variety of digital media but they are also focused on why design is valuable, using design thinking and user-centered research to solve complex problems.

Freshman admission consideration for both in-state and out-of-state students is based primarily upon:

1. Quality and number of high school courses (units) attempted (a rigorous academic program of study is preferred)
2. The admission index, which is a numeric score calculated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education based on GPA or rank in class and ACT or SAT test scores.
3. Optional personal essay and letters of recommendation. Though not required, a personal statement or essay and/or letters of recommendation may be considered in the admissions review process

General Admission

You are a strong candidate for general admission if:

1. Your index is 93 or higher
2. You have completed all HEAR requirements AND have no more than two MAPS unit deficiencies

TEST SCORES: ACT/SAT

Results are mandatory for international students who have graduated from a U.S. high school or those seeking freshman admission directly to the College of Engineering and Applied Science programs. For engineering students, admission to CU Denver is still possible without these scores by way of the Pre-Engineering program in the College of Liberal Arts and Science.

TEST SCORES: TOEFL, IELTS, OR PTE

Applicants will be considered to have obtained the required English language proficiency if they meet satisfactory scores (below) or one of the additional options:

SCORE REQUIREMENTS:

TOEFL

Minimum TOEFL Score Accepted: 75 IBT / 537 PBT

IELTS

Minimum IELTS Score Accepted: 6.5

The TOEFL/IELTS requirement can be waived if an applicant has graduated from the ESL Academy. Information regarding other considerations for exemption, including country of citizenship/origin, and special circumstances can be found here. Please note that some graduate level programs will require a higher score on the TOEFL/IELTS and applicants should consult the department for additional details

PTE ACADEMIC

Minimum PTE Academic Score Accepted: 51

TThe Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) is currently in a pilot review at the University of Colorado Denver. We will accept a 51 PTE Academic score with the following subscores:

In addition to national scholarship that may be available for students, the College of Arts & Media (CAM) offers a number of scholarship opportunities specifically for CAM prospective, undergraduate and graduate students.