M.F.A. – Interdisciplinary Design Studies

Master of Fine Arts Degree Requirements

First Year

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 601Graduate Communication1*
GID 601Interdisciplinary Studio I3
DGR 613Graduate Seminar3
DGR 635Design Thinking3
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Graduate Course Option3
*Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
GID 602Interdisciplinary Studio II3
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Elective3
DGR 620Graduate Research Methods3
Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 711Thesis Project I6
DGR 631Written Thesis3
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Graduate Course Option3
Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 712Thesis Project II6
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Elective3
— —Elective3

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits: 60/61

Graduate Course Option – Interdisciplinary Design Studies (IDS) students will work with their Graduate Department Chair to determine course selections for this requirement and develop a plan of work for their program. Must be approved prior to registration by the Graduate Department Chair.

Elective – Studio or Lecture course from the Graduate (or Undergraduate) level. Must be approved prior to registration by the Graduate Department Chair. Additional permission may be required for confirmed UG credits.

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

M.A. – Interdisciplinary Design Studies

Master of Arts Degree Requirements

First Year

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 601Graduate Communication1*
GID 601Interdisciplinary Studio I3
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Graduate Course Option3
DGR 613Graduate Seminar3
DGR 635Design Thinking3
*Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
GID 602Interdisciplinary Studio II3
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Elective3
DGR 650Final Project3

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits: 30/31

Graduate Course Option – Interdisciplinary Design Studies (IDS) students will work with their Graduate Department Chair to determine course selections for this requirement and develop a plan of work for their program. Must be approved prior to registration by the Graduate Department Chair.

Elective – Studio or Lecture course from the Graduate (or Undergraduate) level. Must be approved prior to registration by the Graduate Department Chair. Additional permission may be required for confirmed UG credits.

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

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

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:

GRT-519 GRADUATE FOUNDATION STUDIO I

The graduate first-year transportation design,experience is divided into two semester-length,studios: one interior-focused, one,exterior-focused. Students taking an,interior-focused studio in the fall semester will,then take an exterior focused studio in the winter,semester, and vice versa. In both interior and,exterior studios, students will be encouraged to,pursue a user-center design approach. Incoming,graduate transportation design students will be,introduced to rendering and modeling techniques,integral to the transportation design process.,Course content may be reinforced through field,trips to local design studios and factories.,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-685 SPECIAL PROJECT

The Special Project course is offered on an,occasional basis, with course content specific to,the area being explored.,
WINTER 2024
,
PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT & PRESENTATION,
,is course is taught in two seven-week modules. The,first focuses on the development of student,portfolios, resumes, and digital presence in,preparation for applying for internships. The,second 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: 3

Prerequisites: