Why Major in Experiential Graphic Design?
Watkins College of Art's Experiential Graphic Design B.F.A. major focuses on human-centered design interactions. The program engages students—on both the technical and conceptual levels—through hands-on learning with individual attention from professors.
Program focus:
- Designer’s social responsibility
- Designing for public spaces
- Commercial applications for experiential design.
The Experiential Graphic Design major builds on the first two years of the core Design Communication (graphic design) courses. Starting at the junior level, you will begin exploring interaction and user experience design in both digital and non-digital environments. At the senior level, you will refine your knowledge of various experiences and user interaction design techniques.
Throughout the program, you will be introduced to web design, motion graphics, kinetic typography and storyboarding. Emphasis is also placed on typography and design history to give a historical context of design and its relationship to culture.
Our program puts you in the heart of Nashville, a fast-growing center of the design and technology industry.
Program Details
Curious about your coursework? View requirements for this degree in the course catalog.
- Study abroad (Semester, Maymester, or Summer)
- Study away for a semester in alternate markets through Belmont USA (N.Y.C., L.A., Washington D.C.)
- Internships- Our relationship to Nashville’s professional creative community is personal and rich. We will assist you with internship placement to ensure the experience is a good fit.
- Four campus gallery spaces to professionally exhibit your work
- Opportunities to present at campus-wide research symposiums and professional conferences
- Kappa Pi, an international honorary art fraternity
- Watkins students are consistently juried into local, regional, and national competitions, including: AAF Student ADDY Awards and Graphics New Talent Annual
We encourage you to explore the exceptional work our students create in their programs.
The Watkins College of Art requires all students applying for a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree to submit a portfolio as a part of the admissions process. You must first be admitted to Belmont before hearing a decision from Watkins.
Portfolios submitted before December 1 will be considered for the Watkins Merit Scholarships. Any applications submitted after December 1 will be considered for admission, but not for departmental scholarships.
View all Portfolio Guidelines
Deadlines for the Portfolio and Belmont application:
December 1 for scholarship consideration
April 1 for incoming freshmen students
June 1 for incoming transfer students
What if I am accepted to Belmont but not the BFA program?
Any applicants not accepted into a BFA program will have the option to be enrolled in a second major of their choice. We encourage applicants to select one of our Bachelor of Arts majors (Art Studies, Art History, or Photographic Studies). At the end of the student’s freshman year and completion of foundational courses, the student will be eligible to reapply to the BFA program through another portfolio review.
The Watkins College of Art has significant scholarship opportunities for students. Last year, the college offered more than 55 scholarships to incoming students valuing over $380,000.
Applicants who intend to pursue a degree in the Watkins College of Art and wish to be considered for the merit-based scholarship must submit a portfolio of work in art and/or design. Students must have their Belmont application and portfolio submitted by December 1 to be eligible for the scholarships.
Please visit the Portfolio Guidelines page for more specific details.
Need-based scholarships will be determined from a student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the official form that families use to apply for college financial assistance from the federal government.
In addition to Belmont University's Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation, the Watkins College of Art is a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
A Closer Look
What sets experiential graphic design apart from traditional art and design programs?
A student exhibition of experiential graphic design projects in the Leu Center for the Visual Arts exemplifies the compelling storytelling work that emerges from Watkins' distinctive program.
Real World Opportunities
Our experiential graphic design students' immersive installations "Prismatic Playground" & "Color Theory" are creating multi-sensory art experiences at the Frist Art Museum in Nashville!
These captivating pieces were born from a class competition challenging students to design accessible, interactive installations for the museum's transformative media space.
Career Possibilities
- User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Application/App Development
- Augmented or Virtual Reality
- Gaming and Entertainment Industry
- Projection-Mapping
- Display and Kiosk Design
- Wayfinding Systems
- Advertising and Marketing
What You'll Learn
- Interactive Design
- Projection-Mapping
- Product Development
- Design for Public Spaces
- App Design
- Web Design Including UX & UI
- Augmented & Virtual Reality (AR and VR)
- Other Emerging Technologies
Alumni Testimonials
Abby Connolly
Experiential Graphic Design
Designer at Ramsey Solutions
“I’d describe Watkins as warm, authentic and creative. There’s encouragement to ask questions and a willingness to help from both peers and professors. It’s exciting to be around – there’s so much momentum happening at Belmont. The school exposes you to all types of creatives and doesn’t put a cap on that creativity.”
Natalie Krause
Experiential Graphic Design
“Experiential Design provides and challenges me to design for the user’s experience. It’s not about designing products or applications, I love that it’s about the experience.”
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Contact Us
Ellie Aldrich
Admissions Coordinator
615.460.6772
Email Ellie