The Design Studio

Focuses on the challenges of designing brands targeted at customer needs and desires. Working through a series of projects, students learn both the theory and practice of identifying brand opportunities, idea generation, global design strategies, testing, and brand launch. Graduate students from other departments who have the appropriate background may be allowed to register on a space-available basis with consent of the Program Director. (3 credits) 

Introduces the mindset, skills, and methodologies that are core to the practice of human-centered design in digital environments. By applying different design methods and applications across UX, UI, and IxD capabilities, students will learn to design a holistic experience and develop creative problem-solving skills using interaction design principles, design thinking, and customer journey mapping. Graduate students from other departments who have the appropriate background may be allowed to register on a space-available basis with consent of the Program Director. (3 credits)

Introduces the basic concepts of entrepreneurship as a discipline, with special emphasis given to the ways that design and creativity impact the entrepreneurial process and how designers can meaningfully engage in a startup studio environment. With a broad overview of early-stage entrepreneurial activities, this course prepares students to create a new business, work for a startup, or launch a new venture within an existing organization. Graduate students from other departments who have the appropriate background may be allowed to register on a space-available basis with consent of the Program Director. (3 credits)

Examines essential principles that drive innovation and creativity in the design field. Through hands-on projects and critical analysis of historical and contemporary creative communication trends, students work on developing their own design philosophy and visual aesthetic. By the end of the course, students should have the expertise needed to craft compelling, impactful visual design solutions that make branding more engaging and effective. Graduate students from other departments who have the appropriate background may be allowed to register on a space-available basis with consent of the Program Director. (3 credits)

Builds on core concepts introduced in our Foundations and Principle classes by expanding executional skillsets and conceptual frameworks through the development of a unified theory of branding. This course encourages students to establish their core principles as art directors and visual designers. They will learn how to create opportunities for complex, meaning-centered relationships between people and products through research, strategic definition, identity development, expression, communication, and behavioral analysis. (3 credits)

Focuses on bridging the gap between designing digital products and understanding the customer journey as they utilize those products. Using concepts and applications introduced in APRD 5002, students will learn to integrate prototyping activities, along with research and testing techniques, into every stage of the design process to quickly adapt designs based on customer feedback and testing insights. Topics include journey mapping, user research methods and high/low fidelity prototyping. (3 credits)

Tailored specifically for designers and creative professionals, this course highlights the role that design plays in driving measurable business results for organizations. With the ROI-driven strategic mindset required in today's competitive landscape, students learn essential business skills needed to deliver not only exceptional design but also measurable impacts for brands and businesses. (3 credits)

Explores the fusion of design, technology, and coding. The course aims to prepare students to seamlessly integrate technology into design work that addresses real-world challenges. Topics covered in this course include virtual reality, augmented reality, data visualization, and foundational skills in web development using JavaScript, HTML and CSS, and contemporary AI capabilities. 

Introduces advanced practices and tools of the digital design profession with an emphasis on preparing students for the increasingly sophisticated nature of modern digital product design. Students get an overview of the architecture of design systems, gain an understanding of what a design system means across different industries and design practices, and learn to build their own design system. (3 credits) 

An in-depth look at the challenges of designing for sustainability by moving students beyond the confines of a standard project brief to examine the purpose and implications of a brand or service's existence. Immersed in design ethics and the power of visual communication, students will gain the expertise to design with purpose and intention, and to align with circular economy principles to reduce waste and pollution. (3 credits)

Dedicated to the meticulous curation of an industry-ready professional portfolio. Students receive guidance in crafting their online digital portfolios and fostering professional development tailored to their post-graduation career aspirations. Interaction with industry professionals and successful program alumni allows students to gain valuable advice, tips, and feedback to enhance their portfolios. (3 credits)

Explores the art of using design to drive innovation, impact, and change. Through collaboration and empathy, students will discover the power of design to bring people together to create meaningful solutions to real world problems. From managing design teams, project management processes, product development models, and organizational design, students will gain the skills needed for managing design in today's complex world and discover how to work effectively with others across disciplines and sectors to create impact at scale. (3 credits)

Equips students with the tools, strategies, and knowledge necessary to thrive in entrepreneurial business environments. Students will develop a practical understanding of how to validate business strategies by applying the principles of human-centered design and iterative design culture. Practical skills, especially business prototyping, are honed to ensure that students can apply their knowledge in real-world situations and make a profound impact on startup success. (3 credits)