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.

GID-601 INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIO I

This is the first of two studio courses on the MA,and MFA Interdisciplinary Studies,programs. These studio courses enable students to,explore modes of interdisciplinary,and collaborative practice. Building on,multidisciplinary experiences and technical,knowledge from option courses, or in other,programs of study, students will explore and,develop frameworks for anti-siloed practices that,extend laterally across numerous disciplines, and,when possible, outside of art and design.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

GID-602 INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIO II

This is the second of two studio courses on the MA,and MFA Interdisciplinary Studies,programs. These studio courses enable students to,explore modes of interdisciplinary,and collaborative practice. Building on,multidisciplinary experiences and technical,knowledge from option courses, or in other,programs of study, students will explore and,develop frameworks for anti-siloed practices that,extend laterally across numerous disciplines, and,when possible, outside of art and design.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: GID 601

CLA-722 ADVOCACY IN CLIMATE POLICY

In this course, students reflect on their program,studies so far and make persuasive cases for,policy and political change. Understanding global,mapping of climate action politics, business,practices, and social justice is necessary for,effective advocacy for change. Students learn,about geo-political, economic and trading factors,that impact climate change.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

GRT-607 ANALYTICAL DRAWING & RENDERING I

This course reviews both fundamental and advanced,tools and techniques for analytical drawing and,rendering of a variety of form and material,expressions across a range of vehicle exterior,proportions. At the end of this course, students,will have developed the ability to deconstruct,complex form compositions into primary structural,elements. Thus, they will be able to draw and,render clear and communicative 2D depictions of,observed and imagined formal expressions. This,course will also introduce professional,documentation and presentation of creative work,during its development and for final display. ,Professional 2D and 3D digital software being used,within the transportation design industry will be,used extensively in this course.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

IXD-621 HUMAN FACTORS

Designing excellent user experiences requires an,understanding of the human factors that underlie a,user’s comprehension of the world. This course,looks at the science that formulates the way,humans make sense of the world around them and how,to leverage that innate human experience to design,successful human-compute experiences. Particularly,relevant to designers working on human-centered,interactions with new technologies, this course,helps students to craft experiences compatible,with the strengths and weaknesses of the human’s,embodied mind. Students will learn how to leverage,human perception, ergonomics, and information,systems to generate intuitive interactions with,new technologies.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

MAE-730 IMMERSIVE RESEARCH IN ART ED

During this course, students will examine the,purpose, history, and structure of research issues,past and present that impact art education. This,course will prepare students to become aware of,the role research plays in the development of new,theories, practices, and ideologies as found in,the art education research literature and to,understand the role of the teacher as researcher,and decision maker. As an effective,,response/able educator, the professional knowledge,of these contexts will become an integral part of,the student’s practice.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

CMD-601 STUDIO I: CMD EXPERIENCE

In this course, students learn how to use the,categories of color, materials and finish (CMF),design to create a meaningful narrative that,connects ideas, artifacts and experiences to,people. ,Working in experiential and sometimes,interdisciplinary projects students collaborate,alongside their peers with industry and other,external partners in industry. Color and Material,designers participate in a range of complex,activities. Roles in the design industry span,from materials research and innovation to liaising,with color and materials development teams for the,purposes of manufacture and delivery of the design,intent. ,The course will serve as a foundation for students,pursuing CMF Design position’s in industry.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: