Resources for Students

Design at San Francisco State is a community of students, professors and staff working and living in one of the most dynamic design cities in the world. This section of our website is where you will learn about resources on and off-campus, including scholarship opportunities, groups, and clubs in Design, how to find internships, and more! Check back often, as this section will grow over the coming year.

Professor and Student taking a selfie

Through generous donor support, the School of Design offers students the following targeted scholarships:  detailed information on each scholarship and the option to apply can be found at the SF State Academic Works portal.

 

Martin Linder Scholarship

To support underrepresented and deserving students in pursuing Industrial Design studies in the School of Design.

Award: Varies (usually $2000.00)

 

Design and Industry Scholarship

To support deserving students in pursuing Visual Communication Design studies in the School of Design.

Award: Varies (usually $2000.00)

 

Dr. Wan-Lee Cheng Design Innovation Honors & Merit Award

Awarded to outstanding School of Design, DES students in the areas of honors convocation, design research, social impact and technology innovation.

Award: Varies

 

Hearth Homes Inclusive Design Scholarship

The purpose of the Hearth Homes Inclusive Design Scholarship is to assist, encourage and attract promising SF State students to the field of inclusive (universal) design.

Award: Varies

 

Academic Works Scholarship Portal

Apply to these scholarships and search for University-wide opportunities on Academic Works. To find a specific scholarship, search for the scholarship name. You can also look for open opportunities for our college and the entire University using the search tool on Academic Works home page.

 

You can also view scholarships offered within the College of Liberal & Creative Arts.

Internships are an important part of a young designer’s education. The key is to understand your education’s two complementary components: First, the skills, knowledge and methodologies you will learn in your classes. Then, on the job you learn professionalism, work ethic and the all-important speed with which most design is produced.

The School of Design offers opportunities for internship credit through our DES 576 class. Students find internships either through opportunities forwarded by the office (check your sfsu.edu email regularly for these blasts) and through the office of Career Services. They also offer career development advice, such as interview skills, writing resumes and cover letters, and networking tips.

Sign up with Handshake by using your SF State email and launch your internship search today.

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Student Group at SF State 

Contact: Saskia Van Kampen, Faculty Advisor

Our group promotes design and gives an opportunity for students to network with each other and the local design community. We utilize the tools at hand to positively influence the School of Design at SF State, the University as a whole, and local design in San Francisco.

Visit the AIGA website

 

Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) Student Group at SF State

Contact: Ricardo Gomes, Faculty Advisor

This group promotes design and gives an opportunity for students to network with each other and the local product design community. We utilize the tools at hand to positively influence the School of Design at SF State, the University as a whole, and local design in San Francisco.

Visit the IDSA website

 

Epsilon PI Tau (EPT): Beta Beta Chapter 

Contact: Ricardo Gomes, Chapter Trustee

Epsilon Pi Tau is an academic and professional honor society that encourages academic excellence of students in fields devoted to the general study of technology and the preparation of practitioners for the technology professions. It recognizes and provides services to students in degree and certificate programs in accredited higher education institutions offering from associate through doctoral degree programs.

Visit the Epsilon Pi Tau website

 

The Design Guild

Design Guild was created to push the concept and practice of design thinking forward through member interaction, events, fundraisers, activities, labs and workshops.

Visit the Design Guild website

The Connect Lecture Series is a visiting speaker series of designers and other creators hosted by the School of Design.

2019 Speakers:

  • October 31: Tyler Musgrave, Restorative Designer, Operations Coordinator at Mursion

  • October 3: Max Beach, Partner at Linespace

  • September 30: Jay Wall, Principal and Creative Director at Rally Rally

All SF State students have great deals on key software.

  • Microsoft Office is a free software for all SF State students! Follow the directions on the ITS website.
  • Anti-Virus Software is free for all SF State students
  • Use your student ID to purchase Adobe Creative Cloud for their Student Discount.

In addition to the shops and studios in the School of Design, the following resources are available on campus:

  • Digital Media Studio/MakerSpace:  A digital media lab and maker space with 2D and 3D Printers. Library, 2nd Floor

  • Adobe CC Classroom in a Book Series:  Official training from Adobe for the entire Creative Cloud available online for SF State Students

  • Universal Methods of Design:  Online access for SF State students to a key reference book for designers. “Universal Methods of Design is a landmark method book for the field of design. This tidy text compiles and summarizes 100 of the most widely applicable and effective methods of design research, analysis, and ideation the methods that every graduate of a design program should know, and every professional designer should employ.” — David Sherwin, Frog Design

  • Video Tutorials: Creative Cloud, Coding, 3D Modeling and Prototyping tutorial videos