The University of Texas at Austin College of Fine Arts 51 courses 120 total credits
The design program empowers students with a rich, multi-faceted educational experience that poises graduates for careers in the design professions or entrepreneurial endeavors. Design is about solving a problem and creating new processes, products, and services for people. It is human-centered; the end-user's needs, wants, and limitations are explored at all stages within the design process and development lifecycle. Students enjoy the extensive offerings of one of the world's great public universities, while receiving individualized instruction from expert, passionate faculty and local industry professionals in small cohorts. Students immerse themselves in various aspects of design and learn to create graphics, objects, interactions, systems, and services. The Plan of Study is a suggested four-year course sequence to support academic planning and serves as a helpful guide. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor to tailor their course selections and timelines to their individual goals and circumstances.
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | 12 credits |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency (Note: this requirement may already be fulfilled by high school coursework) | credits |
| College Requirements - Fine Arts | credits |
| General University Requirements | credits |
Degree
Design Foundations
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 301 | Introduction to Design Thinking | 3 |
| DES 304 | Design Studio I | 3 |
| DES 305 | Design Studio II | 3 |
| DES 306 | Design Studio III | 3 |
| DES 307 or DES 313 | Design and Culture or Introduction to Design History | 3 |
| ARH 303 | Survey of Renaissance through Modern Art | 3 |
Degree
Hours chosen from:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 310T | Topics in Innovative Design | |
| Total Degree | 9 credits | |
Degree
Hours chosen from: Design History
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 336 | History of Design | 3 |
| DES 337C or DES 337C | Graphic Design History or Graphic Design History | 3 |
| Total Degree | 6 credits | |
Degree
Hours chosen from: Design Research, Methods, Theory, or Special Topics in Innovative Design
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 320 | Design Theories and Methods | 3 |
| DES 324 | Design Research and Methods | 3 |
| DES 130T | Topics in Innovative Design | 1 |
| DES 330T | Topics in Innovative Design | |
| DES 338 | Topics in Design | |
| DES 339T | Topics In Design Theory | 3 |
| DES 343 | Design Research and Methods II | 3 |
| DES 345 | Design Writing | 3 |
| DES 346 | Project Studio | 3 |
| DES 351 | Design Perspectives | 3 |
| DES 352 | Service and Systems Design | 3 |
| DES 354 | Design Issues | 3 |
| Total Degree | 9 credits | |
Degree
Professional Practice and Internships
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 260 | Design Internship | 2 |
| DES 160I | Internship in Design | 1 |
Degree
Capstone
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 374 | Capstone Design Project | 3 |
| DES 374P | Senior Portfolio | 3 |
Graphic Design
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 325 | Typography I | 3 |
Graphic Design
Hours chosen from:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 321 | Images in Communication | 3 |
| DES 328 | Print and Packaging | 3 |
| DES 334 | Introduction to Interaction Design | 3 |
| DES 334C | Interaction Design I | 3 |
| DES 335 | Typography II | 3 |
| DES 340C | Identity Systems | 3 |
| DES 340D | Brand Storytelling | 3 |
| DES 340G | Branding and Visual Identity Systems | 3 |
| DES 341G | Typography III | 3 |
| DES 342G | Information and Persuasion | 3 |
| DES 347 | Publication Studio | 3 |
| DES 348 | Information Visualization | 3 |
| DES 349 | Interaction Design II | 3 |
| DES 355 | Interaction Design III | 3 |
| DES 356 | Topics in Graphic Design | 3 |
| Total Graphic Design | 9 credits | |
Graphic Design
Hours chosen from:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 326 | Objects and Spaces | 3 |
| DES 327 | Prototyping Physical Space | 3 |
| DES 340 | Design Systems | 3 |
| DES 344 | Objects and Spaces II | 3 |
| DES 350 | Special Topics in Design | 3 |
| DES 356 | Topics in Graphic Design | 3 |
| DES 357C | Interaction Design III: Experiential and Spaces | 3 |
| DES 357D | Interaction Design IV: Objects and Media | 3 |
| DES 358G | Advanced Topics in Industrial Design | 3 |
| Total Graphic Design | 3 credits | |
Product Design
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 326 | Objects and Spaces | 3 |
Product Design
Hours chosen from:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 327 | Prototyping Physical Space | 3 |
| DES 340 | Design Systems | 3 |
| DES 344 | Objects and Spaces II | 3 |
| DES 350 | Special Topics in Design | 3 |
| DES 353 | Advanced Topics in Interaction Design | 3 |
| DES 357C | Interaction Design III: Experiential and Spaces | 3 |
| DES 357D | Interaction Design IV: Objects and Media | 3 |
| DES 358G | Advanced Topics in Industrial Design | 3 |
| Total Product Design | 9 credits | |
Product Design
Hours chosen from:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DES 321 | Images in Communication | 3 |
| DES 325 | Typography I | 3 |
| DES 328 | Print and Packaging | 3 |
| DES 334 | Introduction to Interaction Design | 3 |
| DES 334C | Interaction Design I | 3 |
| DES 335 | Typography II | 3 |
| DES 340C | Identity Systems | 3 |
| DES 340D | Brand Storytelling | 3 |
| DES 340G | Branding and Visual Identity Systems | 3 |
| DES 341G | Typography III | 3 |
| DES 342G | Information and Persuasion | 3 |
| DES 347 | Publication Studio | 3 |
| DES 348 | Information Visualization | 3 |
| DES 349 | Interaction Design II | 3 |
| DES 355 | Interaction Design III | 3 |
| DES 356 | Topics in Graphic Design | 3 |
| Total Product Design | 3 credits | |
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