Foundation Review

Please thoroughly read all the information on this page, then review the specific degree program instructions in the drop-down menus below, before you register for an interview.

Spring 2026 Instructions

There are two components to the review.

PART 1: PORTFOLIO and WRITTEN STATEMENT

The portfolio is composed of the required course books produced during the Foundation Year. A written statement based on a provided prompt is required for each degree program to which you are applying.

On or before Monday, April 20, you will receive an email containing a link to your individual Box folder.
The deadline for uploading the required materials is 5pm on Thursday, April 30. Missing the deadline will result in forfeiting your ability to participate in the Foundation Review.
Export each required course book as a separate multi-page PDF and upload to your Box folder. Please do not create any sub-folders or submit duplicate course books, as faculty from each degree program will have access to all uploaded materials.
Export a written statement for each program that interests you as a separate single-page PDF and upload to your Box folder. See menu links to the right for more details and writing prompts.
Label each item according to the examples below:
STRICKLAND_Kevin_DES120_Course_Book
STRICKLAND_Kevin_Graphic_Design_Statement
Materials to produce each Foundation course book should be provided by your section instructor. All course book cover templates/fonts are also available in this Box folder. Be sure to update each book cover with your information. Please email your instructor if you are missing anything, or feel free to contact the course coordinator if the instructor isn’t available:
DES 120 / Emma Dwyer (edwyer5@uic.edu)
DES 130 / Norman Teague (nteague@uic.edu)
DES 140 / Jake Rynkiewicz (jrynki@uic.edu)
DES 150 / Linda Bracamontes (lindabr@uic.edu)
DES 160 / Lauren Nichols (laurenmn@uic.edu)
DES 170 / Jennifer Wandro (jwandr3@uic.edu)

PART 2: THE LIVE INTERVIEW

All interviews will be held in person in Architecture and Design Studios on Friday, May 1. Please arrive in Room 3304 at least ten minutes before your scheduled interview, and plan to remain there until the start of your time slot. No congregating in the hallways or atrium will be allowed in order to reduce noise distractions during interviews.

Foundation Review Interview Sign-up Sheet

On Monday, April 20, you will receive an email containing a link to the interview sign-up sheet. You must be logged into your UIC account to access this form.
The deadline for interview registration is 4pm on Wednesday, Apr 22.
BA Design Studies has limited interview slots. If you are interested in this program, sign up for this interview as soon as possible. BDes programs have much larger windows of interview time, so plan accordingly.
When selecting a time slot on the sign-up sheet, be careful not to accidentally delete another student’s information.
It is not possible to reschedule your interview once you have selected a time slot.
You may register to interview for multiple degree programs, but only one time slot per program is allowed—be careful not to select conflicting time slots.
The faculty conducting your interview will display your work on a classroom monitor, so there is no need to bring a laptop. However, feel free to bring any physical items that might contribute to the discussion.
As for attire, wear what best represents you in an interview setting.

Guidance and Feedback
In the weeks leading up to the Foundation Review, the school will hold information sessions and mock reviews to help prepare students. Open Studio peer mentors are available 12–12:50pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Room 3430. We also recommend reaching out to your instructors and classmates for feedback.

Foundation Review Results
The school will email results and registration information within two weeks after the Foundation Review. Students may not register for any second-year Design classes until they have received acceptance into a degree program. You may, however, register for general education courses, including Art History, at your designated registration time.

Students Who Do Not Plan to Participate in the Foundation Review
Please meet with your academic advisor to discuss your future academic plans. You might want to consider these related programs in the School of Art & Art History:

BA Interdisciplinary Education in the Arts (IDEAS) prepares students to think and work both critically and creatively in preparation for cutting-edge, multifaceted careers linking the arts to each other within a context that includes the emerging digital landscape. This degree can be completed in two years by taking courses in all the areas of the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts.
BFA New Media Arts offers students a unique, interdisciplinary curriculum in which leading practitioners come together to work with students as they develop aesthetic and critical perspectives in emergent technologies.
BFA Art / Moving Image focuses on creative and alternate approaches to both experimental and documentary forms of filmmaking.

To discuss transferring to these programs, please email the School of Art & Art History’s Academic Advisor Liv Jordan.

BDes Graphic Design or Industrial Design

Portfolio and Written Statement Details

You are required to submit the following materials to your personal Box folder:

PORTFOLIO: A Foundation student’s portfolio for the BDes program is comprised of the following six course books produced during the Foundation Year:
- DES 120, DES 130, DES 140, DES 150, DES 160, DES 170
  - Materials to produce each Foundation course book should be provided by your section instructor. All course book cover templates/fonts are also available in this Box folder. Be sure to update each book cover with your information. Please email your instructor if you are missing anything, or feel free to contact the course coordinator if the instructor isn’t available.
  - Each course book should be a separate multi-page PDF.
WRITTEN STATEMENT: Your statement should be a separate single-page PDF, based on the following appropriate writing prompt:
- For BDes Graphic Design: Describe the different kinds of work done by graphic designers. Refer to a design project that inspires you, and discuss what it has motivated you to explore.
- For BDes Industrial Design: Select something you interact with daily and describe its design features, along with its specific strengths and weaknesses. Include an image that helps
  support your writing.

BDes Double Degree (GD + ID)

In order to apply for the BDes Double Degree program in Graphic Design and Industrial Design, students must:

Sign up for BOTH BDes degree program interviews; indicate interest in the appropriate field next to your entry on the sign-up sheet.
Upload the six required course books—see the BDes instructions above.
Upload two separate written statements, based on the provided prompt for each degree program—see the BDes instructions above.

Things to consider if you are interested in pursing a double degree:

Faculty from both degree programs must agree to accept a student for the double-degree track. It is possible to pass the Foundation Review for both the Graphic Design and Industrial Design programs but not be approved to pursue a double degree.
The double-degree track is a mandatory five-year program (includes the Foundation Year).
Completing the double-degree program results in two diplomas—one for Graphic Design and one for Industrial Design.
Depending on course scheduling, it may not be possible for double-degree students to take every course within each degree program. A course substitution for a Design elective may be necessary in such instances.

BA Design Studies

Portfolio and Written Statement Details

You are required to submit the following materials to your personal Box folder:

PORTFOLIO: A Foundation student’s portfolio for the BA Design Studies program is composed of the following four course books:
- DES 140, DES 150, DES 160, DES 170
  - Materials to produce each Foundation course book should be provided by your section instructor. All course book cover templates/fonts are also available in this Box folder. Be sure to update each book cover with your information. Please email your instructor if you are missing anything, or feel free to contact the course coordinator if the instructor isn’t available.
  - Each course book should be a separate multi-page PDF.
  - You may upload three additional PDFs with work from other Foundation Year courses or relevant work you wish for the review committee to see. If you choose to submit additional work, please add a cover sheet explaining what you’ve included and why you feel it is relevant to your future studies. For questions about submitting additional work you feel is relevant, you may contact Robert Zolna (robertz@uic.edu), Faculty Lead for BA Design Studies.
WRITTEN STATEMENT: Your statement should be a separate single-page PDF based on the following writing prompt:
- Describe what designers do. Refer to at least one work to support your assertions.

BS Computer Science + Design

Note: This is only applicable for students already enrolled in the BS Computer Science + Design major.

Portfolio and Written Statement Details

You are required to submit the following materials to your personal Box folder:

PORTFOLIO: A Foundation student’s portfolio for the BS Computer Science + Design program is partially comprised of the following two course books produced during the Foundation Year:
- DES 150 and either DES 160 or DES 170
  - Materials to produce each Foundation course book should be provided by your section instructor. All course book cover templates/fonts are also available in this Box folder. Be sure to update each book cover with your information. Please email your instructor if you are missing anything, or feel free to contact the course coordinator if the instructor isn’t available.
  - Each course book should be a separate multi-page PDF.
- You must also submit a supplemental portfolio of no more than five pages of documentation from projects completed in First Year CS courses completed at UIC. Photographs of dimensional/physical work should be combined into one PDF per class. For questions about submitting CS course work, you may contact Pedro Neves (pneves2@uic.edu), Faculty Lead for BS CS + DES.
WRITTEN STATEMENT: Your statement should be a separate single-page PDF based on the following writing prompt:
- Reflect upon your specific interests within the intersection between computer science and design—what you feel enthusiastic about, what you’d like to explore, achieve, or research. Refer to at least one work to support your assertions.

Peer Mentors

All first-year students can take advantage of an “Open Studio” where a peer mentor can answer questions about coursework, degree options, and more. Chat either through the School of Design Discord server or in person 12–12:50pm Tuesday or Thurysday in Room 3420—it’s free and there’s no need to register.

In April, peer mentors will also hold in-person information sessions where students can ask any last-minute questions or participate in mock interviews.

Updated August 9, 2026