Business of Design

Over a dozen industry stakeholders were interviewed for the creation of this course including hiring managers, agency owners and marketing VPs. This was done to ensure the learning outcomes would reflect the needs of creative industry hiring managers.

ART 418 is an upper-division course developed based on my years of running a multi-million dollar design agency. The goal is to bridge academic training with the realities of contemporary design practice, drawing on experience leading a creative agency, building a curriculum that immerses students in authentic professional processes. Throughout the course, students engage in proposal writing, responding to RFPs, working with CRMs, navigating negotiation scenarios, interviewing, using project-management software, and developing presentation and critique frameworks that mirror industry expectations. The curriculum emphasizes ethical and sustainable decision-making, client communication, pricing structures, and the integration of emerging technologies—including AI-assisted tools—within responsible and transparent workflows. Through applied projects that simulate agency environments, students learn to manage complexity, collaborate effectively, and develop the strategic thinking essential for long-term success in design careers. The course functions as a capstone for professional readiness, equipping students with both practical systems knowledge and the adaptability expected in future-focused design programs.