Popular Keywords

Categories

Total Results

No Record Found

View All Results
Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design - fashionabc
contacts Sign In

image

Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Part of Drexel University in Philadelphia

Summary

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University in Philadelphia is a dynamic hub for creativity and innovation, offering comprehensive programs in media, design, and the performing arts. Established in 1891 and renamed in 2005 after a significant philanthropic gift, the college provides eighteen undergraduate majors and nine graduate programs, including degrees in Animation and Visual Effects, Architecture, Fashion Design, Digital Media, and Television and Media Management.

Students benefit from Drexel’s Co-op program, gaining real-world experience in their fields. The college’s state-of-the-art facilities, housed in the award-winning URBN Center, include design studios, television and motion capture labs, a historic costume collection, and performance venues like the Mandell Theater. With a mission to foster creativity, collaboration, and community, the Antoinette Westphal College prepares students to lead in the evolving creative economy.

History

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University in Philadelphia has a rich history that reflects the evolution of higher education in the United States. Established in 1891 as the Department of Domestic Economy within the Drexel Institute, the college initially focused on preparing women for careers in domestic sciences. Over time, the curriculum expanded to include home economics, dietetics, and child development.

In the mid-20th century, the college underwent significant transformations to adapt to the changing educational landscape. In 1967, the College of Home Economics launched an experimental curricular overhaul known as Pilot ’71, which shifted the focus towards design and fine arts. By 1974, these changes culminated in the renaming of the college to the Nesbitt College of Design, Nutrition, Human Relations, and Home Economics, reflecting its broader academic scope and commitment to design education.

In 2001, the Nesbitt College was renamed the College of Media Arts and Design, signaling its expanded focus on media, arts, and design disciplines. This rebranding was part of Drexel University’s strategic initiative to position itself at the forefront of interdisciplinary education in the creative fields. In 2005, the college was renamed the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design in honor of alumna Antoinette Passo Westphal, following one of the largest private donations to Drexel University at the time. This generous contribution enabled the college to further enhance its facilities and academic offerings.

Today, the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design continues to thrive as a dynamic community that seeks to make meaning in our world and transform it through the power of creative, entrepreneurial, and scholarly pursuits. With a mission to unlock the creativity of critical thinkers, makers, and creators, the college prepares students to connect ideas and solve real-world problems, thereby transforming careers and lives.

Courses

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design’s graduate degree programs prepare students to begin or enhance their career in the design, media, and arts and culture sectors.

Westphal College offers graduate degree programs in Arts Administration, Design, Fashion Design, Interior Architecture and Design, Digital Media, Television and Media Management and Urban Strategy. Westphal also offers four graduate minor programs and two certificate programs. All programs are distinctive in content and professionally oriented. These programs combine rigorous academics with creative exploration, cultural awareness, technical skills and professional practice, preparing students to lead in the creative economy.

With 12 nationally ranked programs, the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design prepares students to succeed in competitive art, design and media fields. Programs are largely studio-based with an emphasis on practical application of design and media-making skills, business acumen, and creative problem solving. And, the goal of the Fashion Design program is to integrate an understanding of art, craft, and design with the creation of clothing for the marketplace.

The Fashion Design undergraduate program is comprehensive in design, fashion and art history, business and technology and prepares students for careers in apparel design, knitwear design, textile design, costume design, product design, and technical design. Students have access to state-of-the-art studios and technology labs, including Shima Seiki knitwear studio for knitwear design, programming, and production. Hands-on visits to the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection gallery, with a research and study area, provide a new level of design research integrated into coursework.

Notable Alumni: Gabrielle Bonheur ‘Coco’ Chanel, founder of the iconic luxury fashion brand Chanel, known for revolutionizing women’s fashion with her timeless designs; Tom Ford, former Creative Director of Gucci and founder of his own brand, recognized for his sleek, provocative style; and Donna Karan, founder of DKNY, celebrated for her practical and elegant designs. The college’s interdisciplinary approach has been instrumental in developing such versatile designers.

Job Integration Rate

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University offers a robust cooperative education (co-op) program that significantly enhances students’ career readiness. In the 2022–2023 academic year, 97% of Westphal students participated in co-op experiences, providing them with valuable real-world industry exposure. While 46% of these positions were paid, the program’s emphasis on experiential learning equips students with practical skills and professional connections that are highly regarded by employers.

Graduates of the Westphal College demonstrate impressive employment outcomes. According to Drexel’s One-Year-Out Alumni Survey, 94% of Westphal graduates from the class of 2022 were employed or enrolled in graduate or professional education. Notably, 92% of those employed full-time expressed satisfaction with their positions, and 100% reported contentment with the level of responsibility in their roles. These statistics underscore the effectiveness of Drexel’s co-op program in preparing students for successful careers in the creative industries.

References

Contact with business owner

imageYour request has been submitted successfully.

building Own or work here? Claim Now! Claim Now!

Claiming your business Listing

Claim request is processed after verification..

image