The Department of Art and Design was established in April 2021 through the merger of the Product Design Department of the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, the Digital Media Art Program of the School of Information Science and Technology, and the Music and Dance Education Center and the Fine Arts and Calligraphy Education Center of the National College Students' Cultural Quality Education Base under the School of Humanities and Law. The Product Design Department originated from the Industrial Design Department (engineering-focused), established in 2005 and began enrolling arts students in 2009. The department developed into two specialized tracks: Product Design and Exhibition Design. The Digital Media Art Program was founded in 2015 and has developed a specialized focus on digital media art alongside the growth of the digital creative industry. The College Students’ Cultural Quality Education Base was established in 2001 and was recognized by the Ministry of Education as a National Cultural Quality Education Base in 2006.

The Department of Art and Design boasts a young, dynamic, innovative faculty team. There are five professors and 12 associate professors among the full-time faculty members. Notable faculty achievements include one recipient of the National Art Fund, one recipient of the National Social Science Fund, 1 participant in the National Natural Science Fund, four recipients of the Ministry of Education’s Humanities and Social Sciences Fund, and two recipients of the Beijing Social Science Fund. Faculty members have received over ten international awards, over twenty national awards, and dozens of provincial and ministerial-level scientific research awards for their academic achievements and artistic works. The department has also directed the university’s high-level art troupe in cultural exchange performances in Hungary, Poland, Australia, Fiji, and other countries and participated in prominent events such as performances for China Central Television (CCTV), Beijing Television (BTV), and the APEC Leaders’ Welcome Dinner.

Committed to educational reform and innovation, the Department of Art and Design has established a high-quality talent cultivation system, taking the lead in implementing small-class teaching to improve the quality of education. The Product Design and Digital Media Art programs have been recognized as Beijing First-Class Disciplines, and faculty members have received five teaching achievement awards. The department currently enrolls over 500 undergraduate and graduate students. These students have achieved remarkable results in various international and domestic competitions, winning over 40 international awards, over 200 national awards, and over 800 provincial and ministerial awards.

Graduates of the Department of Art and Design have pursued further studies at prestigious universities both domestically and internationally, such as Tsinghua University, the Royal College of Art in the United Kingdom, and Chiba University in Japan, or have joined renowned companies such as ByteDance, Lenovo, and BOE Technology.

“Guided by virtue, rooted in morality, embracing humanity, and flourishing through art.” The Department of Art and Design actively explores and innovates in aesthetic education reform in the new era, striving to play an essential role in the comprehensive educational system of Beijing University of Chemical Technology.