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Finlandia University’s International School of Art and Design (ISAD) balances experiences in critical thinking and creative insight with a strong foundation in liberal studies. We emphasize the convergence of technical skill and conceptual innovation.
The program prepares graduates for emerging opportunities in both professional practice and graduate studies, by providing foundations in entrepreneurship, sustainability, and business practices in art and design.
LEARNING OUTCOMES – ISAD
- Communication: Communicate of the Elements & Principles of Design within selected medium.
- Analytical and Critical Thinking/Creative Insight: Integrate knowledge of basic business practices as they relate to entrepreneurial ventures, exhibition opportunities, and professional presentation & portfolio development.
- Analytical and Critical Thinking/Global Perspective: Resource the relevance of history, theory, and criticism, using perspectives and scholarship drawn from the students’ major field and at least one other field.
- Personal Perspective/Global Perspective: Measure decisions involving social, environmental, and ethical issues concerning the production and consumption of Art & Design.
- Creative Insight: Assess the possibilities and limitations of materials and processes, including the potential and current uses of existing and developing materials, technologies, and production methods.
- Personal Perspective: Support an attitude of curiosity, determination, and reflection that will persist beyond graduation.
Occupational Outlook
Below is information provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Employment of arts and design occupations is projected to grow 4 percent from 2016 to 2026, slower than the average for all occupations, adding about 33,700 new jobs. More workers will be needed to meet the growing demand for animation and visual effects in video games, movies, television, and on smartphones, as well as to help create visually appealing and effective layouts of websites and other media platforms. Other arts and design workers are employed in industries that are projected to decline, however, including publishing, manufacturing, and floral shops.
The median annual wage for arts and design occupations was $45,250 in May 2017, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $37,690.
Learn more about the career out look for art and design occupations at bls.gov.

International School of art and design News
News and Notes from Finlandia's Art and Design school
- July 1
Students encouraged to apply for $250 textbook awards
Finlandia students who are enrolled for Fall 2022 are encouraged to apply for a $250 Alumni Board Textbook Award. The Award, given in the form of a North Wind Books gift certificate, is open to all students who meet the following criteria:
Enrolled full-time for Fall 2022 In good academic standing Degree-seekingThe free application will be open until Friday, July 22 and recipients will be notified prior to the start of the semester.
The Alumni Board Textbook Award is funded [...]
- June 14
Textbook Giving Day 2022 is today!
Giving Day 2022 starts now!
Join the Finlandia Alumni Board for a day dedicated to raising money to help students pay for textbooks. The Finlandia Alumni Board seeks to raise $10,000 and is looking to share this message to support their cause. To learn more about how to give back to Finlandia’s students, visit finlandia.edu/givingday. Every $250 awards another FinnU student a textbook scholarship!
Find more ways to follow along on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you would like to donate to [...]
- June 9
Student application now open for $250 textbook awards
Finlandia students who are enrolled for Fall 2022 are encouraged to apply for a $250 Alumni Board Textbook Award. The Award, given in the form of a North Wind Books gift certificate, is open to all students who meet the following the criteria:
Enrolled full-time for Fall 2022 In good academic standing Degree-seekingThe free application will be open until Friday, July 22 and recipients will be notified prior to the start of the semester.