Welcome to the Department of Art and Design
The Cal Poly Department of Art and Design offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with major concentrations in graphic design, photography, and studio art. We are accredited by NASAD, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, as a professional degree program. With its emphasis on solid foundations and the development of studio practice tied to a focus on conceptual abilities, Cal Poly Art and Design has built a national reputation for producing graduates with an ability to contribute and innovate in their chosen field. The quality of our students is exceptional.
Visiting Campus?
When planning a campus visit, we suggest that you plan ahead, to make sure you'll be able to meet with select faculty. To view faculty office hours please click here. When arriving on campus, enter via Grand Ave and stop at the visitor's booth for a campus map and parking information. Art and Design is located in Dexter Bldg 34 next to the Kennedy Library. You may download a self-guided walking tour (PDF) for your convenience. We look forward to meeting you!
Parking and visitor center
Map to the Department
Art and Design Students Win Cal Poly Arts Award
Chris Iseri('11) and Kenny Sing (‘11) split the Cal Poly Arts Achievement in Art Award. These awards recognize current Cal Poly students who have either maintained high levels of involvement in the arts, or who have executed superb specific art projects during his or her enrollment at the University.
Headlines
Geoff McFetridge
Friday, January 13, 2012Artist Lecture: 5-6pm
Opening: 6pm-7:30pm
The University Art Gallery is located in the Dexter Building, Room 171.
Hiroki Asai—2010 College of Liberal Arts Honored Alumnus
Hiroki Asai (Art and Design ‘92) has been named the 2010 Honored Alumnus for Cal Poly's College of Liberal Arts. Asai, Apple Computer, Inc.'s executive creative director of graphic design, supervises more than 200 artists and designers who are responsible for all of the packaging, retail store graphics, Web site, online store, direct marketing, videos and event graphics for Apple's international market. His creative team is the only one of its size that designs, produces and engineers a company's communications work—from every creative discipline—in house.
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Design Student Wins CSU Research Competition
Elise Bartley (‘10) a graphic design student from Colorado Springs, Colorado, was awarded first place in the creative arts and design category in the 24th Annual California State University Student Research Competition. Her development of an identity, branding, and marketing program for a women’s outdoor equipment company in Colorado was choosen from more than 205 students representing 21 campuses.
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Spotlight on Student Work
Students send posters about food to Michelle Obama at the White House
Graphic Design professor Charmaine Martinez's students are sending a message to the White House.
Students in her Type III class have offered their support for Michelle Obama's Healthy Food Initiative. Each student designed a poster that promoted one of Michael Pollan's 7 Rules for Healthy Eating. The other side of the poster contains A Good Food Manifesto for America by food activist, farmer, and MacArthur Grant recipient Will Allen. The posters fold down to a mailer, and the students will be sending them to the White House this spring.
Calendar of Events
Speakers
Richard Koci Hernandez
Friday, May 4, 2012
Artist Lecture
Emmy winning multimedia journalist. Richard's work has appeared in Time, Newsweek, and The New York Times. He earned two Pulitzer Prize nominations while working for 15 years as a photographer for the San Jose Mercury News.
Diversity Colloquim
Friday, February 6, 2012 5 pm to 7:30 pm
Reception – 7:30 PM
Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center at Cal Poly
Guest speakers: Paul Gardullo — Curator, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington, DC
James A. Miller — Professor of English and American Studies & Director of the Center for the Study of Public History and Culture, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
Joseph Schwartz — 98-year-old local humanist and folk photographer, and author of “Folk Photography — Poems I’ve Never Written”