Art, Architecture & Design

In the department of art, architecture and design, the emphasis is on design. The common foundation of design is enhanced by your one-on-one relationship with faculty and the development of your skills and attainment of knowledge.

About the Majors :

Architecture

Architecture is a pre-professional major that draws upon many of Lehigh’s strengths and resources. Design plays a major role in this program, which requires courses in the history, theory, technology, and broader intellectual context of architecture. If you choose architecture as a career, this major is the best foundation for continued training leading toward the master’s degree.

Art

The art major stresses participation in the studio arts, which have developed the creative abilities of many people throughout their lives. The art major includes applied study in industrial product and graphic design. Lehigh offers instruction in drawing, painting, sculpture, graphic communications, printmaking and photography. Ceramics and other arts are offered through the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges.

Design

The design major engages students in creative work that focuses on visual communication design with an emphasis on digital media. The program emphasizes the creation of art and design using digital and advanced technologies. The major is designed to provide a firm foundation in traditional studio work. Foundation courses enhance all concentrations within the design major and provide a common background of experience and knowledge. The program also contains a wide range of intellectual bases in theory and history in order to afford each individual student a broad perspective.

Facilities and Related Opportunities
Students have access to a variety of studio spaces and develop a sense of ownership as they exercise their creative talents with the guidance of faculty. A wide range of temporary exhibitions is scheduled each semester and lectures, gallery talks, visiting artists and architects supplement classroom and studio work. Through the Lehigh University Art Gallery museum operations, students have access to a vast and varied permanent collection of paintings, sculpture and photography.

Internship, Research, and Study-Abroad Opportunities
Internships in architecture, graphic communication, design, and museum studies can be arranged. A summer study program in Vicenza, Italy is available as well.

Five-Year Programs and Selected Double Majors
In the arts-engineering five-year degree program, students earn a B.A. in architecture and a B.S. in civil engineering. There is also a double major with urban studies.

Individually Structured Programs
Programs can be individually tailored to emphasize art history, art with a focus on architectural design, art history with a focus on museum training, art education, set design, and architecture with a concentration on planning, urban studies, graphic communications, or government. There also are architectural competitions in design.

After earning a B.A. in art or architecture, you may pursue graduate work elsewhere and obtain a M.Arch., a M.F.A. in studio specialty, or a M.F.A. and M.G.D. in graphic communication, or pursue graduate work in museum studies. For example, students in architecture have done graduate study at Yale University, Harvard University, Penn State University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Calif.-Berkeley, University of Maryland, and Washington University – St. Louis. Students have pursued careers as architectural professionals, graphic designers, museum professionals and in urban studies, civil engineering, planning, and construction management.