Design

Program Description

MDD seeks to be the preeminent place for creative individuals, organizations and communities to collectively explore how physical and digital spaces, products, systems and processes can be designed for the mutual flourishing of people and planet.  This innovative curriculum uses product design as a vehicle to investigate a number of broader concepts in design and creativity, such as: design research, human-centered design principles, interface development, articulation of product forms, materials, and digital manufacturing principles. 

The Student Experience

The program equips students to navigate and address multifaceted, real-world challenges through collaborative and innovative strategies. Students engage in hands-on making using physical and digital tools, in a collaborative studio environment sharing ideas and work to build skills and confidence in communication. The MDD curriculum is strategically designed around Studio Practice, Technical Competency, Historical and Theoretical Foundations, and Applied Practice. The program integrates artistic, technical, and theoretical frameworks to foster a comprehensive design education. This integrative approach promotes critical analysis, inventive thinking, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, leveraging a curriculum that incorporates additional expertise from architecture, fine arts, communication, business, engineering, and computer science. Key educational imperatives include promoting inquiry-driven learning, advancing visual literacy, fostering methodological experimentation, and cultivating collaborative capabilities. Through its problem-driven pedagogical model, MDD incorporates capstone projects, real-world community engagement projects and internships.

Career Opportunities

As a multi-disciplinary design student, you will help map the future of design through production, research, strategy, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Graduates of the program have a number of career opportunities available to them, working as multi-disciplinary product designers, design researchers, product development experts, directors, or practitioners. Other U graduates have been employed as industrial & graphic designers for small and large companies, started their own businesses, and worked for tech companies like Adobe. For students who want to continue their education at the graduate level,  MDD grads have gone on to specialize in various fields such as architecture, exhibit design, web design (UX UI) global innovation and design research.

More Info

• Department of Multi-Disciplinary Design
• College of Architecture + Planning
• Department Advising
• U Career Success

Catalog

• Design BS
• Design Minor

Exploratory Classes

• ARCH 2630 - Design Foundations Workshop
• DES 2615 - Intro to Design Thinking