Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Design
Launching Fall 2026
Take the next step toward your professional calling. At Seaver College, our BA in
Design is a forward-thinking program designed for students who want to merge creative
mastery with purposeful service. Whether your passion lies in the tactile world of
fashion or the digital frontier of game design, our curriculum prepares you to lead
with integrity in a rapidly evolving industry.
Future Career Preparation
Prepares students for creative careers in fields like freelance design, animation, fashion, game design, and other visual communication roles.
Design for a Better Future
A unique focus rooted in ethics,
Christian values, and sustainability, integrating creativity with service and social
responsibility.
Rigorous Media Arts Curriculum
Strong emphasis on exploring design across diverse platforms, including photography, print, digital screens, and immersive experiences.
Structured Professional Experience
Access to structured internships with nonprofits, ministries, NGOs, and design studios.
A Curriculum Without Borders
Design at Seaver College is built on the principle of Transdisciplinary Innovation.
We break down the silos between traditional art school disciplines to foster a culture
of radical collaboration. Our students don’t just learn to create; they learn to think
across systems.
Design Major Requirements
In addition to the Seaver Core requirements, Design majors must complete seven Design
Core courses and choose either the Graphic Design emphasis or the Computer Graphics
emphasis.
Required:
ART 101 Art Fundamentals (CA) (4 units)
CS 110 Programming Principles I (3 units)
ART 230 Digital Arts I (CA) (4 units)
Art 330 Digital Arts II (4 units)
ART 376 Photography (4 units)
Applied Practice ART 495 Studio Art Internship
(1 course, 1- 4 units)
Advanced Studio ART 430 Digital Arts III
(Fall, 4 units)
Senior Studio ART 496 Senior Studio: Digital Arts (Spring, 4 units)
Choose one of the following:
ART 370 Collage (CA) (4 units)
ART 372 Printmaking (CA) (4 units)
Emphases
Graphic Design Emphasis
The Graphic Design emphasis (19 units) offers a rigorous, hands-on curriculum designed to bridge traditional fine arts with modern digital media. Students begin by establishing a foundational aesthetic through a choice of Painting I or Sculpture I, ensuring a tactile understanding of form and color. The core progression then moves through advanced technical training, covering Video, Graphic Design, and Advanced Graphic Design. The sequence culminates with Animation, equipping students with a diverse toolkit to excel in today’s evolving visual communications industry.
Required:
ART 364 Video (4 units)
ART 416 Graphic Design (4 units)
ART 417 Advanced Graphic Design (4 units)
ART 420 Animation (3 units)
Choose one of the following:
ART 210 Painting I (CA) (4 units)
ART 250 Sculpture I (CA) (4 units)
Computer Graphics Emphasis
The Computer Graphics emphasis (18 units) merges technical programming with high-end digital artistry to prepare students for the frontiers of interactive media. Building on a foundation of Programming Principles II, the curriculum advances into dynamic visual storytelling through Video and 3D Modeling and Special Effects. Students then master the mechanics of movement in Animation before culminating their studies with Game Engines and XR (Extended Reality). This track is ideal for those looking to master the tools behind game development, virtual reality, and cinematic visual effects.
Required:
CS 111 Programming Principles II (3 units)
ART 364 Video (4 units)
ART 366 3D Modeling and Special Effects (4 units)
ART 420 Animation (3 units)
ART 422 Game Engines and XR (4 units)
Interdisciplinary Study
Our courses are transdisciplinary, and also focus on ethics and sustainability. We work closely with the Sustainability Department, as well as with Screen Arts, Film Studies, Computer Science, Art History, Advertising, and Integrated Marketing Communications.
Why Pepperdine
Pepperdine Seaver College is consistently recognized among the top-ranked universities in California and the United States. We are a Christian university where students grow in knowledge and character. As a liberal arts institution, we focus on providing rich opportunities for intellectual and spiritual exploration for students within a diverse community.
Located in Malibu, CA
13:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio
80% of Students Participate in an International Program
120,000 + Alumni Network
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Contact Us
Fine Arts Division
Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263
Office: CAC 200
Fine Arts Recruitment Office
310.506.4111
fineartsrecruit@pepperdine.edu
FA Recruitment Office: MB 301
N. Lincoln Hanks
Divisional Dean & Professor of Music
Danah H. Sanders
Office Manager
Bronson Somerville
Academic Support Resources Specialist (ASRS)
Christopher Jerabek
Administrative Assistant Recruiting