Associate's UX Design Programs in Washington
Pierce College District — Lakewood, WA
Key Distinction: The program is uniquely aligned with Google UX Design Certificate Program and can be completed entirely online, with state-of-the-art labs offering full new media design and multimedia capabilities.
Hakia Insight: Pierce's alignment with Google's UX Certificate means you're learning the exact frameworks Google uses internally, and the fully online delivery with state-of-the-art labs eliminates the false choice between accessibility and technical depth.
At the associate's level, pierce College District's UX Design program offers comprehensive pathways in New Media and Digital Design with specialized UX/UI focus. The program explores design thinking strategies and emerging technologies including creative computing, interaction design, user experience design, graphic design, and visual communication. Students can pursue either an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in New Media and Digital Design or a one-year UX/UI Design Certificate. The UX/UI certificate is project-based, focusing on creating accessible human-centered design systems and interaction design for cross-platform applications. Students gain experience in researching, analyzing usability data, prototyping, and user testing. The program is aligned with Google UX Design Certificate Program to prepare students for high-demand career fields. Both programs can be completed entirely online and are enhanced by state-of-the-art labs with full new media design and multimedia capabilities.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $52,110.
Notable Faculty
Location Advantages: Multiple campus locations including Fort Steilacoom, Puyallup, and Joint Base Lewis-McChordState-of-the-art lab facilities with full new media design and multimedia capabilities
Skagit Valley College — Mount Vernon, WA
Hakia Insight: Skagit Valley's proximity to the Puget Sound tech corridor means you can intern at Seattle-area agencies while keeping tuition low—a regional advantage most West Coast community colleges don't leverage as deliberately.
At the associate's level, if you're serious about UX design but want to stay close to the Puget Sound region, Skagit Valley's program emphasizes hands-on prototyping and user research fundamentals. You'll build a portfolio with real design tools—Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and wireframing software—while working on projects that mirror what agencies actually do. Many graduates transfer to UW or Washington State University to complete a bachelor's degree in design or human-computer interaction, while others land junior UX roles at regional tech startups and marketing firms in Seattle.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Seattle-area digital agencies, Regional tech startups, Marketing firms in Puget Sound.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Washington
- Washington State University
- Western Washington University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior UX Designer
- UI Designer
- UX Research Assistant
- Interaction Designer
Location Advantages:
Spokane Community College — Spokane, WA
Hakia Insight: Spokane Community College fills the geographic blind spot in Washington UX education: Eastern Washington students can build portfolio-ready skills without the Portland or Seattle cost-of-living penalty, positioning them competitively for remote-first roles.
At the associate's level, in Eastern Washington, Spokane Community College's UX program fills a real gap—teaching professional-grade interaction and visual design without requiring students to relocate to the Seattle corridor. The program focuses on tools like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD alongside user research methods and information architecture. While fewer major tech employers operate in Spokane itself, graduates have strong transfer pathways to WSU and UW, and increasingly find opportunities with remote-first companies and small regional firms.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Spokane-based tech companies, Regional digital agencies, Remote-first companies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- Washington State University
- University of Washington
- Gonzaga University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior UX Designer
- UI Designer
- Web Designer
- Digital Designer
Location Advantages:
Lake Washington Institute of Technology — Kirkland, WA
Key Distinction: LWTech is the only public institute of technology in Washington state, offering hands-on UX design education with small class sizes and direct industry connections in the Seattle tech corridor.
Hakia Insight: LWTech's Amazon LEO partnership gives students direct line-of-sight into how one of the world's largest design organizations thinks about user experience—rare for a two-year program and nearly impossible to replicate at other community colleges.
At the associate's level, lake Washington Institute of Technology offers comprehensive UX Design education through their User-Centered Design program and integrated design pathways. The program emphasizes real-world projects, meeting deadlines, problem-solving, and enhancing user experiences using industry-standard software. Students learn in small class settings ensuring personalized attention and hands-on training. The curriculum covers design and research methods incorporating technology, human activity, and data to prioritize needs for product/service development. Students master identifying design problems, analyzing research methods, evaluating data, and applying research-driven knowledge to design solutions. The program prepares graduates for careers in design firms, high-tech companies, advertising and branding firms, in-house art departments, and freelance consultancy, with strong emphasis on human-centered design theory and principles of inclusive and accessible design.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Industry Partners
Notable Faculty
- Steve Ater — Design
- Benjamin Meyer — Design
Location Advantages: Located in Kirkland, WA in the Seattle tech corridorAccess to rich digital gaming and tech environmentStrong regional industry connections
Bellevue College — Bellevue, WA
Key Distinction: The program uniquely combines comprehensive JavaScript programming with practical agile development practices and version control experience, preparing students for real-world web development environments.
Hakia Insight: Bellevue College embeds JavaScript and agile workflows into its UX curriculum, meaning graduates arrive at tech jobs already fluent in the development handoff process instead of learning it on the job.
At the associate's level, bellevue College's design and digital media pathway delivers hands-on UX preparation at a community college scale, making it an increasingly attractive entry point or stepping-stone for students pursuing UX careers. The program anchors on practical skills in prototyping, user testing, and digital product design while maintaining accessibility and usability as core principles. Instructors bring active industry experience, teaching current tools (Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch) and methodologies in real-time rather than through dated curriculum. What sets Bellevue apart is its focus on portfolio-ready work: students complete capstone projects with actual user research, iterative design, and documentation that employers recognize. The college's location in the Puget Sound tech corridor provides networking opportunities and internship placements with mid-market tech companies, healthcare organizations, and startups. Many students use the associate degree as a launchpad to four-year programs (articulation agreements with regional universities) or transition directly into junior UX roles with two years of intensive, focused training. The smaller cohort size and supportive faculty mean personalized mentorship and rapid feedback cycles that accelerate portfolio development. Cost-effectiveness makes this an attractive path for students seeking UX skills without the price tag of private design schools.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Location Advantages: Bellevue-Redmond tech corridor accessProximity to Microsoft campus and regional tech companies
Everett Community College — Everett, WA
Hakia Insight: Everett's aerospace and manufacturing partnerships mean you'll design interfaces for cockpits and industrial systems—a specialization that commands premium salaries and exists at almost no other community college.
At the associate's level, design experience meets manufacturing and tech sector know-how at Everett College, where you'll learn UX principles with an eye toward industrial and software applications. The program connects well with local aerospace and engineering firms exploring digital transformation, giving you unique portfolio projects beyond typical web/app design. Most graduates either transfer to UW or WSU's design programs with solid technical foundations, or move into UX roles at manufacturing, aerospace, or regional tech companies.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Aerospace and manufacturing firms, Seattle area tech companies, Regional design firms.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Washington
- Washington State University
- University of Washington Bothell
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior UX Designer
- UI Designer
- Digital Designer
- Interaction Designer
Location Advantages:
Seattle Central College — Seattle, WA
Key Distinction: Seattle Central College offers comprehensive UX Design programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Seattle Central College's location in one of the densest tech labor markets in North America offers unmatched internship accessibility, though prospective students should verify current program depth and faculty expertise directly.
Seattle Central College offers UX Design programs in Seattle, WA. As a public institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region. Visit the school's website for current program offerings, admission requirements, and tuition information.
Shoreline Community College — Shoreline, WA
Key Distinction: The program combines traditional design education with cutting-edge technology in state-of-the-art Mac labs and offers unique self-paced learning opportunities through partnerships with leading industry software providers.
Hakia Insight: Shoreline's on-campus print shop and gallery spaces transform the program from classroom-bound into a functioning design studio, letting students move seamlessly from screen-based UX into tangible portfolio pieces that impress employers.
At the associate's level, shoreline Community College's Visual Communications Technology program offers comprehensive training in multimedia design with specialized concentrations in graphic design, animation and video, game art, and project management. The program features state-of-the-art facilities including five Mac computer labs equipped with the latest design software, a full-production print shop, and an equipment library. Students benefit from self-paced online technical software training with leading industry partners, allowing them to learn at their own pace and repeat lessons as needed. The program provides multiple opportunities for students to showcase their work through student-run journals, campus gallery spaces, gallery shows, club sales, and portfolio shows. Program-specific scholarships are available through the Foundation, and students can choose from four focused areas of concentration to ensure subject-matter expertise and mastery of fundamentals.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: design studios, advertising agencies, game and animation studios, advertising or marketing agencies, public relations firms, printing and prepress departments, publishing houses.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Washington
- Washington State University
- University of Washington Tacoma
- Central Washington University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- UX Designer
- Junior Web Designer
- UI Designer
- Web Designer
Location Advantages: Located in Shoreline, WA with access to Seattle's design and tech industryFull-production print shop on campusMultiple campus gallery spaces for student exhibitions
Clover Park Technical College — Lakewood, WA
Hakia Insight: Clover Park's real-world project partnerships skip the 'theoretical exercise' phase entirely—you're solving actual problems for actual organizations from semester one, accelerating the portfolio depth most graduates build over years.
At the associate's level, clover Park's hands-on approach to UX design prioritizes real-world problem solving—you work on actual design challenges from partner organizations, not just theoretical exercises. The program emphasizes both design fundamentals and the soft skills that make junior designers hireable: communication, collaboration, and iteration. Most graduates move directly into design positions at Tacoma and Seattle area companies, or pursue four-year degrees at UW Tacoma and other universities with portfolios that already demonstrate professional capability.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Seattle area tech companies, Tacoma design firms, Regional digital agencies.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Washington Tacoma
- University of Washington
- Washington State University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Junior UX Designer
- UI Designer
- UX/UI Designer
- Web Designer
Location Advantages:
Clark College — Vancouver, WA
Key Distinction: Clark College provides small classroom instruction with extensive hands-on experience using advanced computer technology software and real-world client project work, enabling students to build professional portfolios while developing practical skills.
Hakia Insight: Clark College's $62,109 median graduate salary (10K above Pierce's) reflects its integrated approach: web development and digital media pathways feed students who understand both backend constraints and frontend design, a rare combination at the associate level.
At the associate's level, clark College's UX Design program is delivered through multiple related pathways including Digital Media Arts and Web Development programs. The Digital Media Arts AAT degree prepares students for professional practice in digital art and media design, creating visual content for web, social and digital media platforms. Students develop skills in designing digital art, motion graphics, basic animation, integrated multimedia, video/sound production, user experience, website and interface design. The Web Development program teaches fundamentals of web programming, web design, and development technologies. Both programs emphasize hands-on experience with advanced computer technology software and real-world client work, allowing students to develop professional skills while building portfolios. Clark prides itself on providing small classroom instruction with plenty of practical experience.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $62,109.
Location Advantages: Portland-Vancouver area job market
Bachelor's UX Design Programs in Washington
Western Washington University — Bellingham, WA
Key Distinction: Western Washington's UX program uniquely prioritizes social impact and accessibility from the ground up, embedding ethics and community-centered research into every design phase.
Hakia Insight: Western Washington embeds accessibility and social impact as design principles, not add-ons—this orientation produces graduates who command premium rates at mission-driven tech companies and civic tech firms that increasingly dominate hiring.
At the bachelor's level, western Washington's design program emphasizes human-centered problem solving through a curriculum that bridges visual communication, interaction design, and sustainable practice. Students engage in real-world projects alongside faculty who bring industry experience in digital product design and environmental design thinking. The program's strength lies in its integration of user research methods early in the sequence, requiring students to conduct ethnographic studies and usability testing before moving into high-fidelity prototyping. What distinguishes this pathway is the emphasis on ethics and social impact—UX students here regularly tackle accessibility challenges and design for underserved communities rather than consumer-facing products alone. The proximity to Seattle's tech ecosystem means guest practitioners regularly visit, and students have built internship pipelines with regional companies focused on healthcare technology and civic design. Graduates consistently move into UX researcher, interaction designer, and design systems roles at mid-sized and enterprise organizations. The program's smaller cohort size (compared to larger state schools) creates tight collaboration between students and allows faculty to provide detailed portfolio mentorship before graduation.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Amazon, Alaska Airlines, Acrylicize, Disney, Elva, Indigo Slate, Mentor, Modern Species, Smashing Ideas, Starbucks, Ten Gun Design, Toolhouse.
Location Advantages: Access to Seattle tech talent pipelineProximity to regional healthcare and civic tech companies
University of Washington-Seattle Campus — Seattle, WA
Key Distinction: Direct to College admission pathway through College of Engineering. Dual application process required (UW general admission plus department application)
Hakia Insight: UW-Seattle's HCDE program is the only one here backed by active research labs and faculty like Jon Froehlich who publish in top-tier venues; undergraduates often contribute to research that shapes industry standards, not just apply existing ones.
The Human Centered Design and Engineering (HCDE) Bachelor of Science program combines engineering processes with design thinking to solve problems through deep understanding of people and contexts. Students develop expertise in user experience design, interface design, user research, information visualization, web development, and web technologies. The program provides a strong foundation in both technical engineering skills and human-centered design methodologies. Graduates typically find employment as UX researchers and designers, multimedia and web developers, usability engineers, interface designers, and information architects at technology companies. This is a capacity-constrained program requiring competitive admission beyond general UW admission, with actual admitted student GPAs significantly higher than the 2.5 minimum prerequisite GPA requirement.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Human Centered Design and Engineering — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
- CREATE Lab
Industry Partners
- Amazon (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
- Google (corporate)
- Meta (corporate)
Notable Faculty
- Jon Froehlich — Accessible design, ubiquitous computing, social computing
Location Advantages: Seattle tech hub with Amazon, Microsoft regional headquartersProximity to Puget Sound tech companies and startups
Eastern Washington University — Cheney, WA
Key Distinction: EWU's UX program stands out for integrating human-centered research methodologies and systems thinking across both digital and physical design contexts, with strong regional industry connections in Spokane's emerging tech sector.
Hakia Insight: EWU's systems-thinking approach to both digital and physical design is unusual for a bachelor's program and positions graduates for emerging roles in spatial computing and IoT—markets where most UX programs still teach 2D screen design.
At the bachelor's level, eastern Washington University's UX design program emphasizes practical, human-centered design grounded in real-world problem-solving. Rather than treating UX as a purely digital discipline, the curriculum integrates research methodologies, prototyping, and usability testing across physical and digital spaces—preparing students to think systemically about user experience in contexts ranging from healthcare interfaces to industrial design. The program benefits from EWU's location in Spokane's growing tech ecosystem and maintains active partnerships with regional companies seeking design talent. Faculty bring industry experience alongside academic rigor, mentoring students through capstone projects that often address genuine client briefs. Students gain hands-on experience in the university's design labs, where they conduct user research, iterate on prototypes, and test designs with real participants. The cohort-based structure fosters collaboration and peer learning, while electives allow specialization in areas like interaction design, user research, or design strategy. Graduates report strong placement in tech companies, design agencies, and corporate innovation teams throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond, with many citing the program's emphasis on research-backed design decisions as a competitive advantage in interviews.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Access to Spokane's growing regional tech sector and design agencies
University of Washington-Bothell Campus — Bothell, WA
Key Distinction: UW Bothell's UX program prioritizes designer-engineer collaboration and product-team integration, ideal for students pursuing roles in software-driven design.
Hakia Insight: UW Bothell's smaller cohort size and deliberate focus on designer-engineer pairing means you'll graduate with deeper cross-functional credibility than peers at larger programs, a competitive edge for product-focused roles at mid-market tech companies.
At the bachelor's level, UW Bothell's design program operates as a more intimate alternative to the Seattle campus while maintaining connection to the larger university's research infrastructure and industry partnerships. The curriculum emphasizes applied interaction design and user-centered development, with a focus on how design integrates within software engineering teams—particularly valuable for students interested in product management or cross-functional collaboration. Faculty are active practitioners who teach design thinking, rapid prototyping, and usability evaluation in service of real student projects. The Bothell location places students closer to the Puget Sound's growing design consultancy scene and mid-size tech companies, creating different internship and networking opportunities than the Seattle-based program. Students benefit from the university's reputation while engaging in smaller classes and more direct faculty mentorship. The program bridges design and computing, allowing students to take courses in both disciplines and develop literacy in how designers work alongside engineers—a practical advantage for product-focused roles. Graduates move into UX designer and product designer roles at regional companies and increasingly at Seattle-based firms that recruit from both UW campuses.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Bothell-Redmond tech corridorProximity to Microsoft and mid-market tech companiesSeattle commute available for internships
Whitman College — Walla Walla, WA
Hakia Insight: Whitman College's lack of a dedicated UX design program means students must architect their own interdisciplinary path—a constraint that actually mirrors real-world design work, where the best practitioners draw equally from psychology, business, and liberal arts.
At the bachelor's level, whitman College does not currently offer a dedicated UX design degree or program. Students interested in design-related work pursue interdisciplinary paths through art, computer science, and cognitive science coursework, but there is no structured UX major, minor, or specialization. Prospective UX-focused students should consider this a liberal arts foundation that allows self-directed design study rather than a program with dedicated UX infrastructure, faculty, or career pathways.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Highline College — Des Moines, WA
Key Distinction: Highline College's program uniquely combines traditional graphic design with UX/UI design elements and offers a seamless pathway from associate to bachelor's degree within the same institution, featuring industry-designed courses and mandatory internship experience.
Hakia Insight: Highline's 2.0 GPA floor and built-in associate-to-bachelor pipeline lower barriers for students who didn't start college-ready, yet graduates still earn $57,990 median salaries—proving that access to Seattle's creative ecosystem matters more than prestige gatekeeping.
At the bachelor's level, highline College's Visual Communications Program offers a comprehensive Graphic Design pathway that builds a strong foundation in design principles and industry-standard software skills. The program covers both print and online media, including logo and brand design, web page development, character design, animation, and advertising and marketing. Students use industry-standard software and equipment to design creative solutions while developing professional portfolios through real-world projects designed by industry professionals. The program offers flexible instruction modes including in-person, online, and hybrid formats, allowing students to complete coursework while maintaining work-life balance. Students gain hands-on experience through internships and can transfer seamlessly into the Bachelor of Applied Science in Integrated Design at Highline College.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $57,990.
Notable Faculty
- Tamara Hilton — Graphic Design
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.0.
Requirements:
Location Advantages: Located in Des Moines, WA with access to Seattle's creative industryLight rail and bus route accessibility
Lake Washington Institute of Technology — Kirkland, WA
Key Distinction: LWTech is the only public institute of technology in Washington state, offering hands-on UX design education with small class sizes and direct industry connections in the Seattle tech corridor.
Hakia Insight: LWTech's partnership with Amazon LEO and position as Washington's only public tech institute creates a rare advantage: small cohorts learning hands-on UX inside the Seattle corridor's most active hiring zone, without the $40K+ annual tuition of private design schools.
At the bachelor's level, lake Washington Institute of Technology offers comprehensive UX Design education through their User-Centered Design program and integrated design pathways. The program emphasizes real-world projects, meeting deadlines, problem-solving, and enhancing user experiences using industry-standard software. Students learn in small class settings ensuring personalized attention and hands-on training. The curriculum covers design and research methods incorporating technology, human activity, and data to prioritize needs for product/service development. Students master identifying design problems, analyzing research methods, evaluating data, and applying research-driven knowledge to design solutions. The program prepares graduates for careers in design firms, high-tech companies, advertising and branding firms, in-house art departments, and freelance consultancy, with strong emphasis on human-centered design theory and principles of inclusive and accessible design.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
Notable Faculty
- Steve Ater — Design
- Benjamin Meyer — Design
Location Advantages: Located in Kirkland, WA in the Seattle tech corridorAccess to rich digital gaming and tech environmentStrong regional industry connections
Northwest College of Art & Design — Tacoma, WA
Key Distinction: Northwest College of Art & Design offers comprehensive UX Design programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Northwest College of Art & Design operates in Tacoma—30 minutes from Seattle's design market but with significantly lower cost of living and tuition, making it an underrated option for students seeking Pacific Northwest access without premium pricing.
Northwest College of Art & Design offers UX Design programs in Tacoma, WA. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region. Visit the school's website for current program offerings, admission requirements, and tuition information.
Seattle Pacific University — Seattle, WA
Key Distinction: The program uniquely integrates UI/UX design education within a faith-based interdisciplinary art curriculum that combines technical expertise with spiritual inquiry and cultural interpretation.
Hakia Insight: Seattle Pacific University's integration of spiritual and cultural inquiry into UI/UX design is unusual precisely because it works: students build portfolios that address human experience holistically, a perspective increasingly valued in healthcare, nonprofit, and social impact design roles.
At the bachelor's level, seattle Pacific University's Art and Design major offers an interdisciplinary education integrating creative practice, historical inquiry, and professional application through four specialized tracks: Photography, Studio, Visual Communication, and Visual Studies. The Visual Communication track specifically prepares students in UI/UX design alongside typography, brand design, and digital media. Students gain technical expertise across drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, digital video, typography, brand design, and UI/UX while developing critical thinking and professional communication skills. Grounded in Christian faith, the curriculum invites students to explore creativity as spiritual inquiry and shared human experience. The program is housed in the Seattle Pacific Art Center (SPAC) with dedicated studios for drawing/painting, sculpture, metals, design, computer lab, and the SPAC Gallery for exhibitions.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Notable Faculty
- Karen Gutowsky-Zimmerman — Typography and Surface Design
- Zack Bent — Photography and Time-based Media
- Adam Kenney — Drawing and Painting
- Katie Kresser — Art History
Location Advantages: Located in Seattle with access to vibrant arts and design communityPacific Northwest cultural position
Cornish College of the Arts — Seattle, WA
Key Distinction: This program uniquely combines traditional art school training with cutting-edge UX design education, emphasizing both technical skills and human-centered design principles while providing access to comprehensive fabrication labs and real-world industry partnerships.
Hakia Insight: Cornish's BFA in Interaction Design includes access to comprehensive fabrication labs—a rare advantage for UX students that enables hardware prototyping, physical interaction design, and cross-disciplinary collaboration that most design programs reserve for industrial design majors.
At the bachelor's level, the Interaction (UX) Design program at Cornish College of the Arts for Seattle University offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Fine Arts degree focused on creating meaningful interactions between users and digital systems. This 120-credit, 4-year program emphasizes human-centered design principles and prepares students for in-demand UX careers. The curriculum covers user research, app development, interface design, and emerging technologies including virtual and augmented reality. Students gain proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and industry-standard UX/UI design tools. With small class sizes averaging 15 students, the program provides personalized instruction from experienced professional faculty. The program features a two-phase structure: foundational instruction followed by self-directed study, allowing students to specialize in areas ranging from interaction design to interior architecture. Students have access to comprehensive facilities including materials labs with laser cutting and 3D printing, multimedia resources, and opportunities for real-world projects and internships with design firms and tech companies.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Located in Seattle's South Lake Union tech hubAccess to major tech companies and design firmsStrong local industry connections for internships
