Category: Graduate

2026-2027 Academic Catalog

  • 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

  • CMD-604 TREND RESEARCH METHODS,PLANNING

    In this course, students learn how to identify,,assess, and forecast both long-term and,short-term trends that can be researched through,a variety of information sources, consumer,demographics, developments in technology,,manufacturing and the sciences, as well as,cultural, social, environmental and economic,influences. Students explore how trends shape,values and behaviors that lie deep in all of us;,and how these values and behaviors influence the,ways we perceive and adopt new ideas. Uncovering,these insights in a rapidly changing world is an,increasingly important challenge for all,professional designers. The ability to understand,and identify trends and their impact on consumer,behavior is an important skill that will be,utilized within the structure of the Color and,Materials Design courses.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • CMD-605 COLOR LAB: THEORY & SCIENCE

    In this course, students are introduced to the,discipline of color, materials and finish (CMF),design to create meaningful narratives that,connect ideas, artifacts and experiences to,individuals and communities. Working in,experiential – and sometimes interdisciplinary -,projects, students collaborate alongside their,peers with design teams and external partners,within the industry. The role of a Color and,Material Designer is to participate in a range of,complex activities, including graphic-led visual,storytelling, materials research and innovation,,collaborating with color and materials development,teams for the purposes of manufacture, digitally,applying CMF strategies to virtual models, and the,delivery of the final design intent through visual,and verbal presentations. This course will serve,as the foundation for students intending on,pursuing CMF Design, Color Design, Material,Design, and adjacent positions within the industry,and entrepreneurism.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • 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

  • 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

  • CMD-609 DIGITAL VIS FOR COLOR & MATERIAL DESIGN

    The course is an advanced digital visualizations,course that will prepare students to be able to,apply color, materials and finish concepts to a,range of products and by doing so visualize their,final concepts and produce compelling,presentations at a professionally competent level,that visually articulate the design intent.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • CMD-610 ADV. DIGITAL VIS FOR CMF

    This course focuses on advanced digital,visualizations in modeling and animation that,prepares students to apply color, materials, and,finish concepts to a range of products. Students,visualize final concepts from Studio, Thesis, and,Final Project courses to produce compelling,presentations at a professionally competent level,that visually articulate the design intent.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • CMD-619 FOOTWEAR DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS

    In this course, students will explore the process,of designing a research-driven,,culturally-appropriate, and professionally,presented footwear collection. Students will gain,insight into conducting trend- and self-led,research to translate into marketable concepts for,entrepreneurial or industry landscapes,,understanding how color, material and finish can,play an influential role within the design process,of the product. The knowledge acquired in the,course will be applied by students to construct a,comprehensive design package that includes key,elements such as mood and lifestyle boards, color,schemes, material selection, illustrations, and,technical drawings.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • 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

  • 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