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-602 STUDIO II: CMD BRAND NARRATIVES

In this course, students explore the role of color,and materials in defining a brand narrative,through Color Materials and Finish (CMF) design. ,Using research, students discuss how organizations,have strategically used design, color, and,materials to advance and elevate their brands. ,Making emotional connections is at the center of,many brand strategies for resonating with their,customers and audiences, and students are,introduced to the visceral and experiential,qualities of materials and color.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: CMD 601

DGR-601 GRADUATE COMMUNICATION

Strong English language skills are essential for,success at CCS and in a future career as an,international designer. In this course, students,will develop and improve English communication,skills. Using a wide range of tools and,assignments, students will talk and write about,design with focus on planning and organization,,visual aids, audience, appropriate vocabulary,,revising based on feedback, and presenting before,a group. The skills acquired in this course will,enable students to produce a presentation on,design research conducted throughout the semester.

Credits: 1

Prerequisites:

GRT-609 TRANSPORTATION DESIGN SEMINAR

This course provides a general introduction and,review of terms, principles, and practices,considered essential for the study and,professional practice of Transportation Design.,Emphasis is placed on verbal discussion, analysis,and critique of formal aesthetic composition,,vehicle design execution, as well as trends and,technologies in the mobility industry.

Credits: 1.5

Prerequisites:

IXD-636 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

As humankind shifts from the era of the Personal,Computer (PC) to that of machine learning (ML),,Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming,ubiquitous, radically changing the relationship,between humans and computing. This course explores,the symbiotic relationship between User Experience,(UX) design and artificial intelligence (AI),,enhancing students’ understanding the core AI,methodologies and their relevance in shaping user,experiences and their diverse applications in,contemporary UX design practices. Students learn,about fundamental AI methods and examine how they,intersect with and enhance the user-centered,design process. Through practical exercises and,projects, students learn various machine learning,approaches and their application to create,next-generation human-AI interfaces to unlock new,human capabilities. Furthermore, they will explore,practical examples of AI applications in multiple,UX design disciplines, such as UI design, gaming,,simulations, and robotics, and understand their,impact on user engagement and interaction.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: IXD 621

MAE-745 DESIGN THINKING

Embracing the integral role of design in,contemporary culture, students will examine the,architecture of design thinking as it applies,conceptually to curriculum design, classroom,management, and design as advocacy for art,education in the larger community. Students will,examine how design thinking has evolved overtime,and its functions historically, juxtaposed with,contemporary culture.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: MAE 702 MAE 730