Apr 29, 2026  
FIRST DRAFT 2026-2027 Academic Catalog 
    
FIRST DRAFT 2026-2027 Academic Catalog

Department of Design


Office: Art & Design Building 120
Telephone: 408-924-4343
Email: design@sjsu.edu
Website: www.sjsu.edu/design

Professors
David Chai, Animation & Illustration Program Director
Raquel Coelho, Master of Design Animation Program Director
Connie Hwang, Graphic Design Program Director
Chang Sik Kim
Virginia SanFratello, Department Chair
Joshua Nelson, Master of Design XD Program Director and Industrial Design Program Director

Associate Professors
John Clapp
Yoon Chung Han

Assistant Professors
Leila Ensaniat
Marjan Khatibi
Kevin Mannens
Eleanor Pries, Interior Design Program Director
​Dana Ragouzeos
Kohar Scott
Angela Wu

Overview

The SJSU Department of Design empowers the next generation of designers by integrating creative process, interdisciplinary collaboration, and storytelling within Silicon Valley’s technological ecosystem. We prepare students to work fluently across emerging technologies while grounding them in strong conceptual thinking and practical skills in the fields of animation, graphic design, industrial design, interior design, and experience design.

The Department offers a wide range of majors and minors in Animation & Illustration, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interaction Design, Experience Design, and Interior Design, All of our programs are focused on giving students real-life, practical, design experiences that will help them find their place in the broader design community and in turn, the world. Through internships, funded research, and community engagement projects, we are able to prepare students to launch their careers with a wide range of abilities, including digital design skills such as 3D-printing and augmented and virtual reality knowledge. Because our students are engaged in co-curricular activities beyond the classroom, they learn strategy, leadership, communication, and how social and emotional intelligence can impact design outcomes. 

The Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Professional Design Programs

The Department of Design offers professional programs in Animation & Illustration, Graphic, Industrial, and Interior Design. The curricula of the four programs combine the aesthetic sensitivity and technical knowledge necessary to function creatively in design, business and industry. Internships in design offices are integral to all four programs.

Admission Requirements for Animation & Illustration, Graphic, Industrial, and Interior Design

  1. Meet University admission requirements; attain upper division standing by completing 60 transferable semester units or 90 transferable quarter units prior to enrollment.
  2. Admission to the BFA in Animation and Illustration is determined at the time students apply for admission to the University. There is no internal change of major into this program. Students admitted to the BA Design Studies may be admitted to the BFA in Graphic or Interior Design or the BS in Industrial Design on a space available basis after successfully completing required portfolio reviews in their first two years of study.

Portfolio reviews are typically held each semester for the following semester. Instructions for applying for the BFA or BS are available from each program coordinator. The following courses are required as preparation for the portfolio review:

Programs

    Undergraduate Major(s)

    Master(s)

    Undergraduate Minor(s)

    Roadmaps

    Courses

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