Design, Bachelor of Arts College of Letters & Science
The Major Program
The Department of Design offers a creative, challenging, and flexible approach to the study of design with emphasis on socially responsible, human centered, and sustainable practice.
The Program
Foundation courses: Introduction to Design; Design Drawing or Drafting and Perspective, Form & Color, and Graphic Design & Computer Technology; and one class in Design History/Theory/Criticism from the DES 040 series; are required of all design majors. Additional coursework in the student's area of interest is required for the Preparatory Subject Matter. Depth Subject Matter courses provide: (1) further exploration of design principles and conceptual, formal and technical issues; (2) conceptual and critical development through a series of history and theory classes; (3) in-depth studio experience with projects that demonstrate a research-based, iterative design process. Optional capstone class. A more detailed explanation is available through the Design Advising office in 101 Art Building; 530-752-0890.
Portfolios
Portfolios are not required for admission to the major. However, it is highly recommended that design students maintain an updated portfolio of visual work for faculty and professional evaluation and consideration for enrollment in specialized courses, including independent study, group study and internship.
Internships, Careers, & Study Abroad
Design students are encouraged to supplement their coursework with internships in design firms, museums, and design-related businesses. Design graduates go directly from this program into further graduate study, or professional work including exhibition, fashion, information, interior architecture & product (lighting & furniture), textiles, visual communications (digital, environmental & print), and sustainable design. In addition, students have become entrepreneurs through freelance and commissioned work in many related areas. The Department of Design encourages students to experience design education abroad through a variety of sponsored programs.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Preparatory Subject Matter | ||
| Design | ||
| DES 001 | Introduction to Design (Fall Only) | 4 |
| DES 014 | Design Drawing | 4 |
| or DES 021 | Drafting & Perspective | |
| DES 015 | Form & Color | 4 |
| DES 016 | Graphic Design & Computer Technology | 4 |
| University Writing Program | ||
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| Popular Science & Technology Writing | ||
| Writing & Visual Rhetoric (Preferred) | ||
| Style in the Essay | ||
| Writing Research Papers | ||
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| Energy, Materials, & Design Over Time | ||
| Ideologies of Design | ||
| Design for Aesthetics & Experience | ||
| Choose two: | 8 | |
| Drafting & Perspective (Can only be used for this requirement if not counted above.) | ||
| Energy, Materials, & Design Over Time (Can only be used for this requirement if not counted above.) | ||
| Ideologies of Design (Can only be used for this requirement if not counted above.) | ||
| Design for Aesthetics & Experience (Can only be used for this requirement if not counted above.) | ||
| Introduction to Three-Dimensional Design | ||
| Computer-Assisted Drawing for Designers | ||
| Introduction to Textile Design Structures | ||
| Introduction to Structural Design for Fashion | ||
| Beginning Video | ||
| Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal | 32 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | ||
| List A: | ||
| Choose three; at least two must be Design (DES) courses from list A: | 12 | |
| Great Cities | ||
| 20th-Century Architecture | ||
| Contemporary Architecture | ||
| The American Home | ||
| Architecture of the United States | ||
| Photography in History | ||
| Sustainable Design | ||
| Biodesign Theory & Practice: Biodesign Challenge Part I | ||
| Materials & Methods in Interior Design | ||
| World Textiles: Eastern Hemisphere | ||
| World Textiles: Western Hemisphere | ||
| History of Fashion | ||
| History of Interior Architecture | ||
| History of Visual Communication | ||
| Information Design: Principles & Practice | ||
| Theatre on Film | ||
| American Theatre & Drama | ||
| Representing Race in Performance | ||
| Introduction to Documentary Studies | ||
| Media Subcultures | ||
| Choose five from lists B & C; one may be a non-Design (DES) course: | 20 | |
| List B: | ||
| Advanced Structural Design for Fashion | ||
| Coding for Designers | ||
| UI/UX Design: Principles & Practices | ||
| Photography & Digital Imaging | ||
| Letterforms & Typography | ||
| Visual Communication: Graphic Design Studio | ||
| Interactive Media I | ||
| Design Ethnography | ||
| Studio Practice in Sustainable Design | ||
| Global Fashion & Product Design | ||
| Textile Design: Woven Structures | ||
| Loom-Constructed Textile Design | ||
| Introduction to Interior Design–Residential | ||
| Introduction to Interior Design–Commercial & Technical Spaces | ||
| Furniture Design & Detailing | ||
| Furniture Design & Prototyping | ||
| Lighting Technology & Design | ||
| Designing with Light–Industrial Design | ||
| Daylighting & Interior Design | ||
| Daylighting Design Studio | ||
| Computer-Assisted Presentations for Interior Architecture | ||
| Type in Motion | ||
| Pattern, Form & Surface | ||
| Graphitecture: Architecture in the Age of New Media | ||
| Textile Surface Design: Patterns & Resists | ||
| Textile Surface Design: Screen & Digital Printing | ||
| Studio Practices in Industrial Design | ||
| Human Centered Design | ||
| Prototyping: From Objects to Systems | ||
| Advanced Explorations in Textile Design | ||
| Experimental Fashion & Textile Design | ||
| Fashion Drawing: Technical & Illustration | ||
| Computer-Assisted Fashion Design | ||
| Advanced Interior Design: Institutional Spaces | ||
| Exhibition Design | ||
| Environmental Graphic Design | ||
| One from the following approved list may count: | ||
| Intermediate Photography: Black & White Analog | ||
| Intermediate Photography: Digital Imaging | ||
| Interdisciplinary Art | ||
| Intermediate Video: Animation | ||
| Experimental Digital Cinema I | ||
| Documentary Production | ||
| Advanced Sound: Performance & Improvisation | ||
| Fundamentals of Computer Graphics | ||
| Character Animation | ||
| Chicana/o Voice/Poster Silk Screen Workshop | ||
| Principles of Theatrical Design: Scenery | ||
| Principles of Theatrical Design: Scenery | ||
| Principles of Theatrical Design: Lighting | ||
| Principles of Theatrical Design: Costume | ||
| Costume Design for Film | ||
| Principles of Theatre Sound | ||
| Approaches to Theatrical Design: Practice & Theory | ||
| Media Theatre | ||
| Community Participation & Design | ||
| List C: | ||
| Capstone Course Option; these courses are the most advanced in the major and prerequisites are strictly enforced: | ||
| Visual Communication: Message Campaign Design | ||
| Interactive Media II | ||
| Design for Understanding | ||
| Fashion Design: Signature Collection | ||
| Advanced Interior Architecture | ||
| Narrative Environments | ||
| Choose two from list A, B, or C that have not been previously counted. | 8 | |
| Note: Substitutions for the listed courses may be allowed under certain circumstances with prior departmental approval. | ||
| Depth Subject Matter Subtotal | 40 | |
| Total Units | 72 | |