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

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

GRT-522 GRAD FOUNDATION:VISUAL COMM II

In this course, students will begin making the,important transition from analog rendering to,digital visualization. This transition will,involve an introduction to popular digital,resources, an emphasis on color theory, and,constant reinforcement of the essential skills,learned in Visual Communication I. Students,prepare a comprehensive presentation at the end of,semester which includes critical self-assessment,and reflection of their developmental strengths,and needs.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: GRT 521

GRT-775 GRADUATE TRANS DESIGN 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:

IXD-790 INTERACTION DESIGN INDEPENDENT STUDY

Independent Study is available to graduate,students with a cumulative grade point average of,3.00 or above. The student may receive approval to,work in an area or on a project that is not,otherwise offered or addressed in the regular,curriculum. An Independent Study should include,opportunities for individual student voice and,provide a space for diverse perspectives. Students,may receive credit toward graduation for no more,than 6 credit hours. The student must,submit to the chairperson of the department in,which they wish to study, an Independent Study,Proposal of 150 words (no less) of the student’s,plan for study and her/his reason for choosing to,study,independently. Once the department chairperson,provides approval and the instructor for the,Independent Study is determined, the faculty,member must write an Independent Study Syllabus,with,education goals, learning outcomes, meeting dates,,course expectations, timelines, and due dates.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

DGR-712 THESIS PROJECT II

This course is designed to help students,articulate and execute a body of work that is the,culmination of his/her graduate study experience.,Students should be able to synthesize external,factors – such as technological, global,,environmental issues and trends, including social,change – translate them into a form that is,meaningful in a business setting, and create,relevant design solutions. “Relevant” in this,context requires that students’ design solutions,resonate with an identified market segment, from,all design and functional standpoints.

Credits: 6

Prerequisites: DGR 711

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