Special Topics Design Seminar

Catalog description

Design crosses boundaries. This transdisciplinary seminar brings together students from different design disciplines to explore contemporary issues through collaborative making and thinking. Topics shift based on the instructor's research—you may explore sustainable design practices, emerging technologies, healthcare design, or how cultural identity influences the creations we produce. You'll read what designers are publishing now, lead discussions that challenge assumptions, and create design work that responds to real issues. The seminar thrives on collaborative inquiry, where you work in teams to investigate deeply, produce thoughtfully, and communicate your findings through discussion and multimedia making. By analyzing how society and culture influence design decisions, you'll develop the critical lens necessary for ethical practice. This isn't design in isolation—it's design in conversation with the world.