Design Studies
Interdepartmental Undergraduate Program
The Design Studies programs bring together courses that deal with the integrated study of the conceptualization, production, visible form, uses, and history of artifacts, buildings, and environments as well as the common qualities and connections among the design, art and planning fields.
Core Design Program
Four Design Studies courses constitute the Core Design Program: Design Studio 1 (DsnS 102), Design Representation (DsnS 131), Design Cultures (DsnS 183) and Design Collaborative (Dsn S 115). Full or partial credit of the Core Design program is required for all undergraduate students in the College of Design.
Minor—Critical Studies in Design
The undergraduate minor in Critical Studies in Design offers students opportunities to engage the history, theory and criticism of visual and material culture. In lectures and focused seminars, students explore historical and contemporary issues, including cultural production, the built environment, media and technology, design in everyday life, and models of professional practice. The minor is open to all undergraduates at Iowa State University.
Minor—Design Studies
The undergraduate minor in Design Studies is constructed to facilitate design awareness among interested students and to provide a vehicle for multi-disciplinary study within the College of Design. This minor is open to all undergraduate students at Iowa State University.
Minor—Digital Media
The undergraduate minor in Digital Media covers the knowledge and techniques for applying digital representations to generate designs and art. The body of knowledge specializes in the fields of design, art and planning. This minor is open to all undergraduate students at Iowa State University.
Additional information about minors is available in the Student Programs and Services Office, 297 College of Design.
Bachelor of Design
The Bachelor of Design is a 122.5 credit undergraduate degree program focused on the interdisciplinary nature of design and the power of the design studio as a place and method for generating ideas and solving problems. The core of the degree program is a series of forums and studios intended to connect history, theory and practice, and give students hands-on experience grappling with design challenges that vary in complexity and scale.
The Bachelor of Design offers opportunities for students to engage design thinking in a collaborative environment focused on addressing contemporary real-world problems and opportunities. Thematic course modules taught by faculty in multiple design disciplines will incorporate methods that artists, designers, and planners use to creatively address contemporary issues such as sustainable living environments, energy efficiency, water and food systems, transportation networks, climate change, and social entrepreneurship. Graduate of this degree are not design professionals but the curriculum prepares students to work as part of a team in a variety of disciplinary settings from design professions to journalism, business, law, engineering, arts, and public service. To that end, the curriculum allows students to pursue double majors to couple design thinking with other discipline of interest. Upon completion, students may also choose to enter graduate programs in the design professions or other fields in which design thinking and critical analysis are valued.
Design Core Program
Design Core Program: 11.5 cr.
| DSN S 102 | Design Studio I | 4 |
| DSN S 115 | Design Collaborative Seminar | 0.5 |
| or DSN S 110 | Design Exchange Seminar I | |
| DSN S 131 | Design Representation | 4 |
| DSN S 183 | Design Cultures | 3 |
| Total Credits | 11.5 | |
Courses
Courses primarily for undergraduates:
DSN S 102. Design Studio I.
(1-6) Cr. 4.
A core design studio course exploring the interaction of two-and three-dimensional design. Emphasis on fundamental skills and ideas shared across design disciplines. Investigation of creative process, visual order and materials, and development of critical thinking through studio projects and lectures. Includes study of precedents, contemporary design practices and disciplines in their cultural contexts.
DSN S 110. Design Exchange Seminar I.
(0-2) Cr. 1.
F.
Prereq: Member of Design Exchange Learning Community
Orientation to the College of Design. Introduction to the design disciplines and studio pedagogy.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
DSN S 111. Design Exchange Seminar II.
(0-2) Cr. 1.
S.
Prereq: Member of the Design Exchange Learning Community
Development and clarification of career and academic plans.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
DSN S 115. Design Collaborative Seminar.
(1-0) Cr. 0.5.
Prereq: Member of Design Collaborative Learning Community
Orientation to the College of Design. Introduction to the design disciplines and studio pedagogy.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
DSN S 131. Design Representation.
(1-6) Cr. 4.
An introduction to drawing through lecture and studio experiences. Focus on creative problem solving and communication in order to give visual form to ideas. Emphasis on perceptual, conceptual, and evaluative abilities through experiences that build eye, brain, and hand coordination. Explorations include drawing from observation and memory, working at various scales and duration, and using a variety of media and processes.
DSN S 181. Origins and Evolution of Modern Design.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
F.S.
History of designed artifacts, their creators, and their cultural environments in Western Europe and America from the beginning of the Industrial Revolution to the present.
DSN S 183. Design Cultures.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
A broad-based exploration of the dynamic relationship between design and culture, employing case study method to investigate particular examples of cultural production in contemporary society. Design processes and design works are presented as culturally, economically, environmentally, historically, ideologically, politically, and socially grounded events and artifacts.
DSN S 232. Digital Design Communications.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Introductory investigations of various digital design media to develop multi-dimensional problem solving, digital communication skills and perceptual sensitivity. Open to all university majors.
DSN S 301. Study Abroad Preparation Seminar.
(1-0) Cr. 1.
Repeatable.
Cultural introduction to host country, introduction to faculty sponsor and program of study, the particulars of traveling and living abroad, and financial and logistical preparations. Guest lectures. Required of all students planning to participate in a College of Design study abroad program for 9 or more credits.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
DSN S 302. Design Leadership Seminar.
(1-2) Cr. 2.
Repeatable, maximum of 4 credits.
Prereq: Selection as a peer mentor for the Core Design program.
For students serving as peer mentors for the Core Design Program, under faculty supervision. Development of teaching and leadership skills within the context of design education experiences.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
DSN S 303. Design Ambassadors.
(1-2) Cr. 1-2.
Repeatable, maximum of 4 credits.
Prereq: Admittance into one of the professional programs in the College of Design
Opportunity to strengthen leadership, communication and presentation skills. Introduction to student development theory. Students participate in collaborative projects focused on prospective design students.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
DSN S 310. Practical Experience.
Cr. R.
Prereq: Permission of adviser or Coordinator of Design Studies
Independent educational enrichment through practical experience. Students must register for this course prior to commencing each term. Available only to students taking course loads of eleven credits or less.
DSN S 332. Multi-Dimensional Digital Design Communication.
Cr. 3.
Prereq: ARCH 230, ARTGR 275, DSN S 232, or permission of the instructor
Investigations if interoperable digital-design tools, techniques and methods directed at human scale interactive hybrid design from ideation to visualization, synthesis to analysis, and realization to fabrication.
DSN S 397. Internship Search Seminar.
(1-0) Cr. 1.
F.
Prereq: Sophomore classification or above in one of the College of Design degree programs
A structured environment to set realistic learning goals, research potential sites, develop a strategy, develop essential job search materials and skills for finding an internship. Successfully obtaining an internship either for credit or non credit is encouraged but not required.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
DSN S 445. Public Art/Public Space.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: Junior Standing, DSN S 102, DSN S 131, DSN S 183
Exploration of the history, precedents, and practice of public art and public space with a focus on developments since 1970 in the United States and abroad. Course includes development of a proposal for a site specific work of art.
Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement
DSN S 446. Interdisciplinary Design Studio.
(0-12) Cr. 4-6.
Repeatable, maximum of 18 credits.
Prereq: Junior classification in a curriculum in the College of Design and permission of instructor
Advanced interdisciplinary design projects.
DSN S 446H. Interdisciplinary Design Studio: Honors.
(0-12) Cr. 5-7.
Repeatable, maximum of 18 credits.
Prereq: Junior classification in a curriculum in the College of Design and permission of instructor
Advanced interdisciplinary design projects.
DSN S 490. Independent Study.
Cr. 1-4.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: Written approval of instructor and department chair on required form prior to semester of enrollment
Independent investigation of a topic of special interest to the student.
DSN S 490A. Independent Study: History.
Cr. 1-4.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: Written approval of instructor and department chair on required form prior to semester of enrollment
Independent investigation of a topic of special interest to the student.
DSN S 490B. Independent Study: Technology.
Cr. 1-4.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: Written approval of instructor and department chair on required form prior to semester of enrollment
Independent investigation of a topic of special interest to the student.
DSN S 490C. Independent Study: Communications.
Cr. 1-4.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: Written approval of instructor and department chair on required form prior to semester of enrollment
Independent investigation of a topic of special interest to the student.
DSN S 490D. Independent Study: Design.
Cr. 1-4.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: Written approval of instructor and department chair on required form prior to semester of enrollment
Independent investigation of a topic of special interest to the student.
DSN S 490E. Independent Study: Entrepreneurship.
Cr. 1-4.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: Written approval of instructor and department chair on required form prior to semester of enrollment
Independent investigation of a topic of special interest to the student.
DSN S 490F. Independent Study: Social/Behavioral.
Cr. 1-4.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: Written approval of instructor and department chair on required form prior to semester of enrollment
Independent investigation of a topic of special interest to the student.
DSN S 490G. Independent Study: Outreach.
Cr. 1-4.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: Written approval of instructor and department chair on required form prior to semester of enrollment.
Independent investigation of a topic of special interest to the student.
DSN S 490H. Independent Study: Honors.
Cr. 1-4.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: Written approval of instructor and department chair on required form prior to semester of enrollment
Independent investigation of a topic of special interest to the student.
DSN S 490I. Independent Study: Sustainability.
Cr. 1-4.
Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: Written approval of instructor and department chair on required form prior to semester of enrollment.
Independent investigation of a topic of special interest to the student.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
DSN S 492. Introduction to Italian Culture.
(1-0) Cr. 1.
Repeatable, maximum of 3 credits.
Prereq: Enrollment in the College of Design Rome Study Abroad Program
Introduction to Italian contemporary culture for design students, including food, religion, fashion, politics, media, and social mores.
Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduates:
DSN S 546. Interdisciplinary Design Studio.
(0-12) Cr. 4-6.
Repeatable, maximum of 18 credits.
Prereq: Graduate or senior standing in the College of Design and permission of instructor
Advanced interdisciplinary design projects.
DSN S 590. Special Topics.
Cr. 1-4.
Repeatable, maximum of 12 credits. F.S.SS.
Prereq: Written approval of instructor and department chair on required form prior to semester of enrollment
Independent investigation of a topic of special interest to the student.
