Design Institute

The Institutes at Perkiomen: Design Institute

The Design Institute encompasses all of the visual arts, physical and digital. It offers students an opportunity to expand and evolve their unique artistic vision. Through exploration of the design process and mastering the fundamental elements and principles of art, students will maximize their creative potential. 

Design is fundamental.  We are witnessing how the field is being called upon to address complex issues in all areas of life. As the workplace evolves to rely on multidisciplinary strengths, we want to provide students with experiences now that will prepare them to shape the future.

Research on employment trends shows that visual arts education is essential to every learner’s educational foundation for future employment in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It develops skills of deeper understanding and divergent thinking. It also plays a vital role in cultivating collaboration, communication, critical thinking, curiosity, innovation, and problem solving, which are key competencies desired by employers. Visual arts education also develops emotional intelligence, the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.

The interconnectedness of arts, design, innovation, entrepreneurship, medicine, and artificial intelligence has benefits for all students and will expand their discovery. Making connections with artists, designers, and influencers, and experiencing their work firsthand, has great potential to be the inspiration behind our students’ creativity and vision.