UC Davis offers the University of California's only comprehensive Department of Design in which students engage in multiple areas of design practice, rather than pursuing a single path. Because design is increasingly multidisciplinary and collaborative. When they leave campus for their careers, our students are prepared to work with everyone in the room: those doing engineering, coding, manufacturing or actually using our designs. Design is for those who want to deepen their creative, communications and interpersonal skills at the same time they develop in-depth skills in multiple areas of design. The UC Davis Design Program, the only comprehensive academic design unit in the University of California system, delivers a research focused undergraduate (B.A.) curriculum that fully integrates design history, theory and criticism, with design thinking, making, writing, visual literacy, and creative practice. Studio courses include design as practiced in exhibition, fashion, information, interior architecture and product (lighting and furniture), textiles, visual communications (digital, environmental, and print) and sustainable design.
Foundation courses: Introduction to Design, Design Drawing or Drafting and Perspective, Form & Color, and Graphic Design & Computer Technology, and one class in Design History/Theory/Criticism from the DES 040 series, are required of all design majors. Additional coursework in the student's area of interest is required for the Preparatory Subject Matter. Depth Subject Matter courses provide: (1) further exploration of design principles and conceptual, formal and technical issues, (2) conceptual and critical development through a series of history and theory classes, (3) in-depth studio experience with projects that demonstrate a research-based, iterative design process. Optional capstone class.
Design students are encouraged to supplement their coursework with internships in design firms, museums, and design-related businesses. Design graduates go directly from this program into further graduate study, or professional work including exhibition, fashion, information, interior architecture & product (lighting & furniture), textiles, visual communications (digital, environmental & print), and sustainable design. In addition, students have become entrepreneurs through freelance and commissioned work in many related areas. The Department of Design encourages students to experience design education abroad through a variety of sponsored programs.
