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-606 MATERIAL LAB: CRAFTED SCIENCE

In this course, students explore the intersection,of design, craft, and science through engaging in,a series of material experiments to examine,properties, technique, mechanics, potential, and,failure to develop innovations in color,,materials, and finish design. The course supports,the student in developing and innovating ideas,using both proven and non-traditional techniques.,Students work in the wood, metal, glass, and,ceramic studios to create a series of surfaces and,artifacts – with the fundamental understanding of,the chemistry behind each process – to support,their concepts within their CMD studio courses.,Working in shop and studio environments, the,projects immerse students in both 2D and 3D,surface and form to present forward-thinking,concepts. The course offers both structured group,projects and self-directed learning.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: CMD 605

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

GRT-612 3D RENDERING & ANIMATION II

This course introduces advanced 3D digital,animation techniques for animating vehicle designs,and interactive interior experiences. Students,will be introduced to Blender as the main,animation & rendering software and will also,incorporate other digital assets and software for,rigging 3D models and video editing.

Credits: 1.5

Prerequisites: GRT-611

IXD-702 UX DESIGN STUDIO IV

The Graduate Studio I, II, III, and IV courses are,designed to address projects of increasing,complexity and progressively strengthen your,problem-solving skills in UX Design. Students,solve a design problem rooted in a creative,industries-related context, requiring substantive,research and concept development phases,,refinement, and execution phases. Research,methodologies, design approaches, and techniques,students learned in the UX-centered courses will,be applied to develop and evaluate their,solutions. These courses are structured to,simulate the professional studio environment with,formally scheduled milestones and defined,deliverables and will be reviewed by faculty and,industry professionals through formal,presentations.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: IXD 701

DGR-640 MINOR PROJECT

“On average, it takes a (design) graduate two,years to get their first job, but 76% of Student,Award winners walk into a job or placement within,3 months.” The minor project is an opportunity,for students to diversify their portfolios and,broaden career opportunities with a project(s),taken from national and international student,design competitions. By working on briefs set,outside of the college, students can widen their,scope for employment and evidence successful,team-working on their resume and in portfolios.,It enables students to assess their professional,skills, redefine ideas and strategies for art,,media and design and provide quickly visualized,outcomes in response to creative briefs.,Students are encouraged to take risks, but also,work to their strengths. However, while there is,a range of project briefs to choose from, students,are cautioned not to venture into creative,disciplines that are beyond their skillset.,Students are required to work in teams of two or,three, and interdisciplinary groups drawn from,across programs and year groups* are strongly,encouraged.,*NOTE: The course is also offered as an elective.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

CMD-607 APPLIED MATERIALS & PROCESSES

In this course, students will increase their,experiential knowledge of industry standards,regarding engineered materials, manufacturing,processes, and relevant applications through a,series of local and regional field trips, guest,lectures, workshops, in-studio prototyping, and,self-led projects.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: CMD 604