Category: Color & Materials Design

Catalog

M.F.A. – Color & Materials Design

Master of Fine Arts Degree Requirements

First Year

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 601Graduate Communication1*
CMD 601Studio I: CMD Experience3
DGR 613Graduate Seminar3
CMD 604Trend Research Methods3
CMD 605Color Lab: Theory & Science3
CMD 609Digital Visualization for Color & Materials Design3
*Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
CMD 602Studio II: CMD Brand Narratives3
CMD 606Material Lab: Crafted Science3
DGR 620Graduate Research Methods3
DGR 721Professional Practice3
DGR 775Graduate Studies Internship3*
—–Assigned Elective3*
*Choose one of the indicated courses.

Second Year

Third Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 711Thesis Project I6
CMD 701Studio III: CMD Impact3
CMD 607Applied Material and Processes3
DGR 631Written Thesis3

Fourth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 712Thesis Project II6
CMD 702Studio IV: CMF 3603
CMD 790Color & Materials Independent Study3*
—–Assigned Elective3*
DGR 775Graduate Studies Internship3†
—–Assigned Elective3†
*Choose one of the indicated courses.
†Choose one of the indicated courses.

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits: 30/31

Assigned Electives – Studio or Lecture course assigned from a specific list of approved courses. Students are required to meet with their Graduate Department Chair for final confirmation of elective selection, prior to registration.

Students enrolled in Graduate Level Programs must maintain the required 3.0 cumulative GPA.

M.A. – Color & Materials Design

Master of Arts Degree Requirements

First Year

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 601Graduate Communication1*
CMD 601Studio I: CMD Experience3
DGR 613Graduate Seminar3
CMD 604Trend Research Methods3
CMD 605Color Lab: Theory & Science3
CMD 609Digital Visualization for Color & Materials Design3
*Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
CMD 602Studio II: CMD Brand Narratives3
CMD 606Material Lab: Crafted Science3
DGR 620Graduate Research Methods3
DGR 650Final Project
DGR 775Graduate Studies Internship3*
—–Assigned Elective3*
*Choose one of the indicated courses.

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits: 30/31

Assigned Electives – Studio or Lecture course assigned from a specific list of approved courses. Students are required to meet with their Graduate Department Chair for final confirmation of elective selection, prior to registration.

Students enrolled in Graduate Level Programs must maintain the required 3.0 cumulative GPA.

CMD-619 FOOTWEAR DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS

In this course, students will explore the process,of designing a research-driven,,culturally-appropriate, and professionally,presented footwear collection. Students will gain,insight into conducting trend- and self-led,research to translate into marketable concepts for,entrepreneurial or industry landscapes,,understanding how color, material and finish can,play an influential role within the design process,of the product. The knowledge acquired in the,course will be applied by students to construct a,comprehensive design package that includes key,elements such as mood and lifestyle boards, color,schemes, material selection, illustrations, and,technical drawings.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

DGR-650 FINAL PROJECT

This course is a self-directed project that forms,the capstone of the MA degree. Students will,critically situate the project in a specific,context and it will be informed by robust,contextualization. Students will develop a body,of well-documented iteractive Ideation, leading to,thematically relevant creative outcomes evidencing,practical impact and/or a critical provocation.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: DGR 613

CMD-621 INTERMEDIATE FOOTWEAR DESIGN

In this course, students conduct an in-depth,exploration of intermediate techniques in,researching and constructing footwear. The,curriculum covers patternmaking, cutting, sewing,,and the creation of one shoe in several iterations,of color and materials. The coursework focuses on,transforming concepts from two-dimensional paper,patterns into three-dimensional products,,utilizing diverse materials that are integral to,Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) design in,footwear. Moreover, students gain insight into the,operation and maintenance of industrial machinery,essential to the shoemaking process.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: CMD-619

CMD-622 ADVANCED FOOTWEAR DESIGN

Within this course, students engage with advanced,techniques in crafting luxury footwear, fostering,an inclusive environment with a curriculum that,includes advanced patternmaking, cutting, sewing,,and the creation of varied footwear styles,,including pumps, boots, sandals, and sneaker,constructions. The final outcome will result in,students producing a footwear collection,,developing a deep understanding of diverse color,and finish strategies for materials and hardware,,and reflecting on a spectrum of cultural,influences. Students are trained on various,industrial machines and how to make sole and heel,components with leather, including high-heel,attachment techniques. This inclusive approach,nurtures skills in CMF design while acknowledging,and valuing diverse perspectives, cultural,influences, and material choices in the field of,footwear design.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: CMD-621

CMD-685 SPECIAL PROJECT

The Special Project course is offered on an,occasional basis, with course content specific to,the area being explored.,
,WINTER 2024,
,TEXTILES FOR CMF DESIGN,
, In this course, students will explore the,potential of textile design and practices to gain,expertise in making informed decisions for Color,and Materials Design strategies, including textile,provenance, construction, science and dye,chemistry, sustainable practices, appropriateness,,and specification for a broad range of industries.,Students will research, source, make, and test a,library of samples that include wovens,,non-wovens, knits, sewn goods, adjacent materials,,and finishing techniques. Students will apply,their knowledge to user scenarios within the,context of CMF strategies appropriate for the,identified industries, including identifying,relevant trends, sourcing and making physical,material samples, and applying material concepts,to 3D-rendered products, environments, and,experiences.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

CMD-701 STUDIO III: CMD IMPACT

In this course, students explore the consequences,of their decision-making as Color and Material,designers, and question subsequent social,,economic, and environmental impacts. They deploy,their creative abilities using color and material,design to create positive design strategies that,are forward-thinking and consider sustainability,,circular economics, and social justice at a local,and global level.,The course questions the provenance of materials,,processes, and commodity chains. Students explore,possibilities for using materials and processes,where there is no harm to nature or human,well-being; and whether locally sourced materials,and processes can be specified to advance social,enterprise and closed-loop systems.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: CMD 601, CMD 602

CMD-702 STUDIO IV: CMF 360

Today, designers need to show their understanding,of the whole story surrounding materials,selection; their origin, provenance,,characteristics, properties, environmental impact,,and end of life. Being material-minded is an,integral part of the design process. ,In this course, student’s conduct in-depth,research and prototyping that will lead to,thoughtful and relevant material concepts and,narratives. The curriculum supports both analog,and rapid prototyping processes.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: CMD 601, CMD 602, CMD 701

CMD-775 GRADUATE STUDIES INTERNSHIP

Participation in an internship experience allows,students to use classroom-learned skills in a,related employment experience. Students must work,a minimum of 135 hours over the course of the,entire semester. Students must have a minimum,cumulative GPA of 3.0. All internships must be,approved by the graduate program department,chairperson.,

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: