Art and Design

Bachelor of Arts in Design

The Bachelor of Arts in Design is a four-year degree programme that develops students' creative potential and equips them with the academic and practical skills to solve design problems. Students study design theory, history of art and design, freehand drawing, instrumental drawing, two-dimensional and three-dimensional studies, colour theory, photography, computer-aided design, typography, ergonomics, design communication, entrepreneurship, and design management.

The programme is offered at the University of Nairobi, a CUE-accredited public university, through the Department of Art and Design in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning. Graduates pursue careers as graphic designers, illustrators, product designers, interior designers, fashion designers, textile designers, photographers, design managers, creative directors, and design entrepreneurs.

The programme is delivered through lectures, studio courses, practical laboratory demonstrations, fieldwork, and industrial attachment. Students develop portfolios throughout the programme and undertake a research project in the final year.

Entry-level salaries for design graduates in Kenya range from KES 35,000–60,000/month depending on the role and organisation, with higher earnings in private practice and international design firms. The programme suits students with creative talent and an interest in visual and practical design.

Skills RequiredDesign Theory and PracticeFreehand and Instrumental DrawingTwo-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional DesignComputer-Aided Design (CAD)Photography and Digital MediaTypography and Graphics DesignFashion and Textile DesignInterior Design and ArchitecturePortfolio DevelopmentDesign EntrepreneurshipKey SubjectsDesign TheoryHistory of Art and DesignFreehand DrawingTwo-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional StudiesColour Theory and PracticePhotographyComputer-Aided DesignTypographyErgonomicsDesign ManagementCertificationsDesign Society of Kenya MembershipInternational Council of Design (ico-D) MembershipAdobe Certified Professional in Graphic DesignSpecializationsGraphics DesignFocus on visual communication design — covering advertising, corporate identity, packaging, typography, digital illustration, and the design of visual communication materials for print and digital media. IllustrationFocus on illustration and visual rendering — covering advanced photography, visual rendering, digital illustration, painting, and the creation of illustrations for publications, advertising, and media.

Product DesignFocus on product and industrial design — covering jewellery design, leather products, sculpture, pottery and ceramics, and the design and production of consumer products.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 243,950
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Design Theory
History of Art and Design
Freehand Drawing
Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Studies
Colour Theory and Practice
Photography
Computer-Aided Design
Typography
Ergonomics
Design Management

Modules

12 in the programme

Design Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational design theory — covering design principles, design elements, design process, problem-solving in design, and the theoretical frameworks that guide design practice.
Freehand Drawing I
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Practical drawing skills — covering observational drawing, perspective, proportion, line and tone, composition, and the development of freehand drawing skills for design practice.
Two Dimensional Studies I
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Two-dimensional design — covering 2D design principles, composition, pattern, texture, form, and the creation of two-dimensional design works using various media and techniques.
Colour Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Colour theory and application — covering colour models, colour mixing, colour harmony, colour psychology, and the practical application of colour theory in design.
History of Art and Design I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Historical survey of art and design — covering the evolution of art and design from ancient civilisations through the Renaissance, the development of design movements, and the historical context of...
Photography
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Photography for design — covering camera operation, composition, lighting, exposure, digital photography, image editing, and the use of photography in design practice.
Computer Aided Design
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Computer-aided design software and techniques — covering CAD software, digital design tools, vector and raster graphics, 2D and 3D digital design, and the use of CAD in design practice.
Typography
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Typography and type design — covering type history, type classification, type anatomy, legibility, hierarchy, and the use of typography in graphic design and visual communication.
Design Communication
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Design communication theory and practice — covering visual communication, design messaging, audience analysis, communication strategies, and the effective communication of design ideas.
Design Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Managing design projects and businesses — covering design project management, design business management, client relations, project planning, and the professional management of design practice.
Design Research Methodology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research methods for design — covering design research methods, user research, design analysis, research design, and the application of research methods to design projects.
Design Research Project and Portfolio
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final-year research project and portfolio — demonstrating mastery of design theory and practice through original research, a final design project, and a professional portfolio.

Specialisations

Graphics Design
Focus on visual communication design — covering advertising, corporate identity, packaging, typography, digital illustration, and the design of visual communication materials for print and digital media.
Illustration
Focus on illustration and visual rendering — covering advanced photography, visual rendering, digital illustration, painting, and the creation of illustrations for publications, advertising, and media.
Product Design
Focus on product and industrial design — covering jewellery design, leather products, sculpture, pottery and ceramics, and the design and production of consumer products.
Interior Design
Focus on interior design and architecture — covering furniture design, interior architecture, landscaping, exhibition and display, and the design of interior spaces for residential, commercial, and public buildings.
Fashion and Textile Design
Focus on fashion and textile design — covering fashion design and development, printing and weaving, pattern drafting, garment construction, and the design and production of fashion and textile products.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on design theory, history of art, or ergonomics with afternoon studio courses in freehand drawing, two-dimensional studies, photography, or computer-aided design. Students work on design projects, develop portfolios, and participate in studio critiques and group discussions. Industrial attachment in design agencies, advertising firms, or fashion houses provides hands-on experience, with students working on real design projects under professional supervision. Portfolio development is a continuous process throughout the programme, culminating in a final-year research project and portfolio.

The trade offs

In its favour

Five specialisation options — students can specialise in Graphics Design, Illustration, Product Design, Interior Design, or Fashion and Textile Design in Year 3, providing diverse career paths.
Studio-based learning — the programme emphasises practical studio courses, portfolio development, and industrial attachment, giving graduates hands-on design experience.
Growing creative industry — Kenya's growing creative economy, advertising sector, and fashion industry create demand for trained design professionals.
Entrepreneurship opportunities — design graduates can start their own design studios, fashion labels, or freelance practices, offering flexibility and independence.

Against it

Single university offering — the programme is offered only at the University of Nairobi, limiting choice for students.
Portfolio-based assessment — assessment relies heavily on portfolios, which can be subjective and time-consuming compared to written examinations.
Variable starting salaries — entry-level design positions may have lower salaries compared to technical fields, with higher earnings requiring experience and portfolio building.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 73 art and design courses

Public204k to 244k

204k at Kenyatta University244k at University of Nairobi

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN official page: BA Design 244K/yr; KU BA Fine Arts 204K/yr. Private: unverified

Students can access HELB loans, university internal scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some design organisations and creative industry initiatives offer sponsorships for design students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
University of Nairobi Scholarships and Bursaries
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
University of Nairobi Internal Scholarships
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
Merit-based and need-based scholarships offered by the University of Nairobi, applied through the financial aid office.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Bursaries provided by county governments for needy students from their respective counties.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited university programmes.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C- with a Certificate and Diploma in a relevant discipline (Graphics, Fashion, Fine Art, Interior Design, Information Technology, Animation, Visual Rendering), or A Level with two principal passes, or Diploma from a recognised institution with KCSE aggregate C.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework20% of the mark
Written tests covering design theory, history of art and design, ergonomics, and design management — assessed through mid-semester and end-of-semester examinations.
Studio Portfolios
Coursework40% of the mark
Portfolio assessments for studio courses — covering freehand drawing, two-dimensional and three-dimensional studies, photography, computer-aided design, and specialised design projects, assessed through portfolio review.
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework15% of the mark
Report from industrial attachment in a design agency, advertising firm, fashion house, or related organisation — documenting practical experience, projects completed, and professional reflection.
Final Research Project and Portfolio
Examination25% of the mark
Final-year research project paper, design seminars, and portfolio — demonstrating mastery of design theory, research, and practice through original research and a professional design portfolio.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) at the University of Nairobi. The programme is offered through the Department of Art and Design in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities offering degree programmes. The Bachelor of Arts in Design is CUE-accredited at the University of Nairobi through the Department of Art and Design.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Graphic Designer
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Creates visual communication materials — covering branding, advertising, packaging, digital design, and corporate identity for design agencies, advertising firms, and corporate communications departments.
Interior Designer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 65,000
Designs interior spaces — covering space planning, furniture selection, colour schemes, lighting, and interior decoration for residential, commercial, and public buildings.
Fashion Designer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Designs fashion and textile products — covering fashion design, pattern drafting, garment construction, textile design, and the development of fashion collections for fashion houses and private practice.
Product Designer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 65,000
Designs consumer products — covering product design, jewellery design, leather products, ceramics, and the design and development of consumer products for manufacturing companies.
Photographer / Illustrator
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 55,000
Creates photographic and illustrative content — covering commercial photography, digital illustration, visual rendering, and the production of visual content for media, advertising, and publishing.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as graphic designers, illustrators, product designers, interior designers, fashion designers, textile designers, and photographers — in design agencies, advertising firms, fashion houses, manufacturing companies, and private practice.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
SoftwarePrimary
Industry-standard design software — covering photo editing, vector graphics, page layout, digital illustration, and the production of print and digital design materials.
AutoCAD
SoftwarePrimary
Computer-aided design software — covering 2D and 3D drafting, technical drawing, interior design plans, product design modelling, and the production of technical design drawings.
CorelDRAW
Software
Vector graphics editor — covering logo design, illustration, page layout, and the production of vector-based design materials for print and digital media.
Design Studio Equipment
Resource
University design studio facilities — providing drawing tables, printmaking equipment, photography studios, ceramics kilns, and textile production equipment for practical design work.
University Library and Design Archives
Resource
University library resources — providing access to design journals, art history references, design archives, and case study materials for design research.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Design is just about making things look good.
Design involves problem-solving, research, ergonomics, user experience, materials science, and design theory — it is a rigorous academic discipline that combines creativity with technical and analytical skills.
Design graduates can only work as graphic designers.
The programme offers five specialisations — Graphics Design, Illustration, Product Design, Interior Design, and Fashion and Textile Design — leading to diverse career paths across multiple industries.
You need to be naturally talented to study design.
While creative aptitude helps, the programme teaches design theory, technical skills, drawing, computer-aided design, and portfolio development — design skills can be learned and developed through structured training.
There are no jobs in design in Kenya.
Growing demand for branding, advertising, fashion, interior design, and product design in Kenya creates opportunities for design graduates in agencies, companies, and private practice.
Design is not academically rigorous.
The programme involves design theory, history of art, research methodology, ergonomics, entrepreneurship, and a research project — it is a demanding four-year degree combining theory with practical studio work.