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College of Design

Visit the College of Design

Experience it yourself

You have the opportunity to join an innovative, collaborative, fun, supportive, and life-changing community of artists and designers at the College of Design, located on the west side of Iowa State University’s campus in Ames, Iowa. The best way to see us in action, learn more about our programs, and meet with current students is to visit us in person.

On-campus visits

The Iowa State Office of Admissions provides visit programs nearly every day, and the College of Design participates in on-campus visits Monday through Friday. All weekday visits scheduled through the Office of Admissions include an academic information session and a tour of the college.

We strongly recommend organizing your first visit through the Office of Admissions to ensure you receive a comprehensive view of Iowa State University, but we welcome you to contact us to request more information or to schedule follow-up visits.

Make the most of your visit

In an effort to meet special accommodations for our prospective students after their Office of Admissions visit, the College of Design can help to:

  • Arrange in-person or virtual meetings with members of recruitment staff or faculty
  • Connect you with College of Design alumni in your area for email communication, virtual meetings, shadowing opportunities, or other forms of engagement
  • Provide College of Design visit documents and presentations via email
  • Connect you with current students for email, virtual, or in-person opportunities

The College of Design participates in the university’s open house series, Experience Iowa State, which is arranged through the Office of Admissions, as well as other events like Admitted Student Day and Transfer Experience Day throughout the year that invite people from all over the world to experience our campus.

College of Design Open House – October 24, 2025

Learn about Experience Iowa State

View events calendar

 

Iowa State College of Design faculty and staff participate in several virtual and in-person college fairs and National Portfolio Day events during the academic year. Catch us in a city near you during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Undergraduate Events

Graduate Events

A Closer Look: College of Design Facilities

Despite being the smallest college on Iowa State University’s internationally recognized campus, the College of Design is one of the most comprehensive and interdisciplinary art and design institutions in the United States offering 11 undergraduate majors housed in four buildings in the northwest corner of campus: Design; Armory; Student Innovation Center and Communications. Watch the video to see the highlights of these facilities and resources available to all College of Design students. 

Video Poster

Want to see more of what Iowa State and the College of Design have to offer? Take a virtual tour and explore videos highlighting the resources, support, and opportunities available to students. Watch the resource videos.

Need more information?

Request information on our academic programs for undergraduate and graduate students by filling out the information request form, or by emailing choose_design@iastate.edu. For more immediate needs, contact the College of Design by phone at (515) 294-7428.

College of Design student working on class project.

A Cyclone in the Making

Find your place at Iowa State University’s College of Design, where we like to ask questions, poke and prod, create something new, and make a difference through design.