Kendall College of Art and Design
(800) 676-2787
17 Fountain St. NW,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Associate Degree
Locations:
Kendall College of Art & Design
Classes are held on the campus of Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, online, or in a mixed delivery format. ferris.edu/art-design
The Associate of Fine Arts in Design Studies at Kendall College of Art and Design is a two-year program that builds a strong foundation for continued study in professional design fields. Students begin with a shared first-year experience centered on essential studio skills, visual literacy, and creative exploration. In the second year, students are introduced to a design discipline of their choice, gaining exposure to the concepts and tools used across the design industry.
Throughout the program, students learn to generate and develop ideas, understand the design process, and collaborate effectively in both individual and team environments. The AFA in Design Studies is ideal for students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in design, offering a smooth and intentional transition into more specialized areas of study.
Program Details
Admission Requirements
New Student Admission Requirements
- 2.50 High School GPA (on a 4.00 scale)
- Students with a lower GPA are still encouraged to apply.
- While a portfolio is required for admission to KCAD bachelor's degree programs, you do NOT need to submit a portfolio when applying to our associate degree programs.
Transfer Student Admission Requirements
- 2.50 College GPA (on a 4.00 scale)
College Requirements
Supportive Studio 15 Credit Hours
- KCFN 113 - Color: Apply Credit Hours: 3
- KCFN 116 - Design: Image Credit Hours: 3
- KCFN 118 - Making: Product Credit Hours: 3
- KCFN 133 - Drawing: Learn Credit Hours: 3
- KCFN 134 - Drawing: Practice Credit Hours: 3
Art History 9 Credit Hours
- KCAH 101 - Global Art I: Prehistory - 14th Century Credit Hours: 3
- KCAH 102 - Global Art II: 15th Century - Present Credit Hours: 3
- KCAH ___ Art History Elective Credit Hours: 3
Major Studio 18 Credit Hours *
A studio concentration area is selected by the student and advised by the program chair, consisting of up to five courses from the program's supportive and major studio courses.
* See Studio Concentration Areas (Select One).
- KCFN 115 - Design: Text Credit Hours: 3
- KC__ ___ Credit Hours: 3
- KC__ ___ Credit Hours: 3
- KC__ ___ Credit Hours: 3
- KC__ ___ Credit Hours: 3
- KC__ ___ Credit Hours: 3
Studio Concentration Areas (Select One) *
Collaborative Design
1st Year
2nd Semester
- KCDC 216 - Dialogue and Personality Credit Hours: 3
2nd Year
1st Semester
- KCDC 215 - Sustainability and Design Credit Hours: 3
- KCDC 311 - User-Centered Design Credit Hours: 3
2nd Semester
- KCDC 321 - Visual Literacy: Seeing Credit Hours: 3
- KCDC 315 - Collaborative Projects Credit Hours: 3
Digital Art & Design
1st Year
2nd Semester
- KCDM 241 - Digital Imaging I Credit Hours: 3
2nd Year
1st Semester
- KCDM 231 - Sound Design Credit Hours: 3
- KCDM 243 - Digital Imaging II Credit Hours: 3
2nd Semester
- KCDM 235 - Interactive Multimedia Design Credit Hours: 3
- KCDM 294 - Animation Processes Credit Hours: 3
Fashion Studies
1st Year
2nd Semester
- KCFS 120 - Introduction to Fashion Studies Credit Hours: 3
2nd Year
1st Semester
- KCFS 210 - Fashion Design/Construction I Credit Hours: 3
- KCFS 211 - Fashion Illustration I Credit Hours: 3
2nd Semester
- KCFS 220 - Fashion Design/Construction II Credit Hours: 3
-
- KCFS 312 - Fashion Illustration II Credit Hours: 3
-
or
- KCFS 303 - Special Topics in Fashion Studies Credit Hours: 3
Graphic Design
1st Year
2nd Semester
- KCGD 214 - Typography I Credit Hours: 3
2nd Year
1st Semester
- KCGD 120 - Graphic Design Processes Credit Hours: 3
- KCGD 222 - Graphic Design Narratives Credit Hours: 3
- KCGD 240 - Graphic Design Production and Management Credit Hours: 3
2nd Semester
- KCGD 220 - Typography II Credit Hours: 3
-
or
- KCGD 310 - Concept and Strategy Credit Hours: 3
Illustration
1st Year
2nd Semester
- KCIL 120 - Introduction to Illustration Credit Hours: 3
2nd Year
1st Semester
- KCIL 234 - Illustration Techniques Credit Hours: 3
- KCIL 244 - Narrative Perspective Credit Hours: 3
2nd Semester
- KCIL 242 - Rendering Credit Hours: 3
- KCIL 243 - Digital Illustration Painting I Credit Hours: 3
Interior Design
1st Year
2nd Semester
- KCID 100 - Drafting Basics Credit Hours: 3
2nd Year
1st Semester
- KCID 125 - Principles of Interior Design Credit Hours: 3
- KCID 130 - Essentials of Interior Design Credit Hours: 3
2nd Semester
- KCID 235 - Workplace Design Credit Hours: 3
-
- KCID 250 - Retail Design Credit Hours: 3
-
or
- KCID 260 - Residential Construction Design Credit Hours: 3
Photography
1st Year
2nd Semester
- KCPH 120 - Introduction to Photography Credit Hours: 3
2nd Year
1st Semester
- KCPH 220 - Intermediate Photography Credit Hours: 3
- KCPH 225 - Digital Image Processing Credit Hours: 3
2nd Semester
- KCPH 230 - Color Photography Credit Hours: 3
- KCPH 240 - Lighting for Photography Credit Hours: 3
Product Design
1st Year
2nd Semester
- KCPD 260 - Digital Modeling I Credit Hours: 3
2nd Year
1st Semester
- KCPD 220 - Product Design Process Credit Hours: 3
- KCPD 231 - Visual Presentation I Credit Hours: 3
2nd Semester
Select 2:
- KCPD 221 - Furniture Design I Credit Hours: 3
- KCPD 235 - Metals/Jewelry Design I Credit Hours: 3
- KCPD 313 - Industrial Design I Credit Hours: 3