School of Design
College of Liberal & Creative Arts
Dean: Dr. Ifeoma Kiddoe Nwankwo
School of Design
Fine Arts Building, Room 121
Phone: (415) 338-2211
Website: http://design.sfsu.edu
Email: design@sfsu.edu
Director: Mari Hulick
Visual Communication Design Program Coordinator: Joshua Singer
Industrial Design Program Coordinator: Silvan Linn
Graduate Program Coordinator: Hsiao-Yun Chu
Study Abroad Coordinators: Hsiao-Yun Chu, Ricardo Gomes
Mission
The School of Design serves a diverse body of students in the areas of Product Design and Visual Communication Design at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Our curricula emphasize the design process as a means of problem-solving, and our classes help students to build the technical, conceptual, critical, and collaborative skills required in design professions.
Program Scope
The School of Design offers a Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication Design, a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design with a concentration in Product Design and Development, a Minor in Design, and a Master of Arts in Design. All programs employ a user-focused, strategic design methodology.
The Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication Design (BSVCD) is a program for students who intend to focus their studies on visual communication design applications including graphic design, interactive design, and experience design. The major addresses a changing technological landscape and the resulting new opportunities in the profession including new tools and opportunities afforded by XR (Augmented and Virtual Reality) and AI (Artificial Intelligence). The design major prepares students for design practice, study, and research, as well as flexible collaboration with other disciplines involved in contemporary technology, user experience, and creative problem-solving fields.
The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design with a Concentration in Product Design and Development (BSID/PDD) is a program for students who intend to focus their studies on physical products. The major addresses the creation of industrial goods and services and concentrates on three principal aspects of design: process, people, and product. The BSID/PDD incorporates the study of user-centered needs, relative to the responsible and resourceful implementation of technology innovation, materials, marketing principles, and aesthetic values.
The Master of Arts in Design program is designed for students who want to pursue professional work in design firms, teaching, project management, strategic planning for design firms, or management roles in technology. We emphasize problem-solving competencies, both conceptual and practical. Students in the program study visual communication design and product design with an interdisciplinary perspective. Students with a wide range of backgrounds work with a graduate advisor to design an M.A. program that meets their career goals. Based upon focused research into a chosen design problem, students develop a specialized area of study in graphic design/visual communication design, product design/manufacturing, industrial technology, project management, or digital media. Many students prepare for doctoral work at other institutions.
The Minor in Design provides students with majors other than Design a broad exposure to the basic applications and benefits of our undergraduate programs. Students in the minor will obtain a general knowledge of and a foundation in professional design (note: students will declare one program to minor in Visual Communication or Industrial Design. They may declare this when enrolling and through their first semester in the program.
Faculty
Our highly qualified faculty come from a variety of design and technology backgrounds. Faculty play a central role in student advising and the formation of relevant design curricula. Faculty members participate in active design practices, conferences, and consultancies, publish and exhibit internationally, and are part of current, as well as future, trends in design and design education.
Facilities
The school is housed in the Fine Arts and the Humanities Buildings near the western edge of campus. Our facilities include studio classrooms equipped with projection, scanners, and printers as well as materials required for a full design studio. We house a woodshop, a metal shop, and a rapid prototyping lab. We employ a wide range of technologies in our studios, including XR equipment and headsets, letterpress printing, large-format printing, vinyl cutting, 3D printing, and laser cutting alongside other technologies employed in contemporary design practice.
Career Outlook
Graduates of The School of Design go on to careers as professionals working at the highest levels within design and technology industries; our graduates hold important positions in design agencies, corporate in-house design teams, major start-ups, community organizations, arts organizations, government agencies, and anywhere one finds designed artifacts and communications.
Design
- Digital Product (app) Design
- Interactive Design
- User Experience Research and Design
- Physical Product Design
- Typographics, Publication and Printed Design
- Information and Wayfinding Design
- Design Research
Business and Industry
- Marketing/Communications
- Project Management
- Product Development
- Field Service
- Technical Services
- Job Development Training
- Production Coordinator
- Quality Control
- Research Technician
Education
- Curriculum
- Creative Technical Support
- Teaching
Advising
During their first semesters in the major all students are required to enroll in Foundation and Core Classes;
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
DES 200 | Visual Design Literacy | 3 |
DES 222 | Digital Design Foundations I | 3 |
DES 322 | Digital Design Foundations II | 3 |
DES 356 | A History of Design and Technology | 3 |
DES 370 | Introduction to The School of Design | 1 |
During the DES 370 course, students will meet with an advisor and complete a “Major/Minor contract.”
Students must periodically check with their advisor to update their major advising contract and program goals. Students must also meet with their advisor before the semester of graduation.
Undergraduate Programs
The School of Design is open to all admitted undergraduate students. Students may declare either of the Design Undergraduate degrees (BSVCD or BSID_PDD) in their Student Centers. Students are encouraged to reach out to Design@sfsu.edu with any questions.
MA Design Program
The MA Design program requires a portfolio, a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation in addition to their application to the University. For details on the MA Design application, please check the program requirements on our department website: https://design.sfsu.edu/master-arts
International Track
School of Design majors may enhance their course of study by participating in the official School of Design Study Abroad programs in several locations. Eligible International Track students follow a particular course of study, upon consultation with advising Design faculty, that integrates overseas courses with the approved course requirements in Design. All official SF State Study Abroad students earn SF State resident credit and may use SF State financial aid while participating in the program. For more information, please visit http://oip.sfsu.edu/studyabroad.
Application Filing Periods
Applications for admission to the majors are accepted by the University during the application filing periods for the fall semester and spring semesters. The School of Design accepts spring applicants and supports spring admissions. For more information on University deadlines, see the Registrar's page at https://registrar.sfsu.edu/deadlines.
Transfer applicants from other colleges must submit an application via Cal State Apply at https://calstate.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login.
Professor
Yu-Charn Chen (1988), Professor in Design. D.I.T. University of Northern Iowa.
Hsiao-Yun Chu (2006), Professor in Design. Ph.D. University of Brighton.
Ricardo Gomes (1992), Professor in Design. M.F.A. University of California, Los Angeles.
Mari Hulick (2017), Professor in Design. M.F.A. Northwestern University.
Joshua Singer (2008), Professor in Design. M.F.A. California College of the Arts.
Giuseppe (Pino) Trogu (2007), Professor in Design. M.F.A. Rhode Island School of Design.
Associate Professor
Silvan Linn (2012), Associate Professor in Industrial Design. M.S.D. Arizona State University.
Omar Sosa-Tzec (2020), Associate Professor in Design. Ph.D. Indiana University Bloomington.
Saskia Van Kampen (2019), Associate Professor in Design. M.F.A. York University.
Assistant Professor
Fernando Carvalho (2021), Assistant Professor in Industrial Design. Ph.D. Loughborough University.
Ellen Christensen (2019), Assistant Professor in Design. M.F.A. Rhode Island School of Design.
Sana Hussaini (2022), Assistant Professor in Design. M.F.A Notre Dame University.
Joshua Mcveigh-Schultz (2018), Assistant Professor in Design. Ph.D. University of Southern California.
Eugene Young (2023), Assistant Professor in Design. M.F.A. California College of The Arts.
Majors
- Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication Design
- Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design: Concentration in Product Design and Development
Minor
DES 200 Visual Design Literacy (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to Design majors and minors or permission of the instructor.
DES 210 Our Manufactured World: The Life Cycle of Everyday Objects (Units: 3)
An overview of how common consumer goods are designed, manufactured, marketed, used, and disposed of in industrialized economies. Emphasis on both traditional mass-production techniques (injection molding, casting) and more contemporary computer-aided methods (CAD, 3D printing, etc.). Discussion of the environmental consequences of mass manufacture (pollution, climate change) and some more sustainable alternatives. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
DES 220 Introduction to Drawing for Designers (Units: 3)
Introduction to drawing for design professions: graphic design, industrial design, digital media, and marketing. Learning to draw as learning to see and understand two- and three-dimensional objects, to give form to design ideas and to communicate these ideas to others. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
DES 221 Introduction to 3D Digital Design (Units: 3)
Introduction to Computer-Aided Drafting and Modeling using industry-standard software and techniques. Survey of the field's history and discussions of contemporary trends. Methods of computer modeling from original ideas or references, basic rendering and animation, and presentation of work in professional formats. 3D printing component. Suitable for non-majors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
DES 222 Digital Design Foundations I (Units: 3)
Digital software and design processes for creating and editing digital images, illustrations, documents for print, and digital applications. Topics include design vocabulary, conceptualization methods, and text formatting. Development and application of knowledge through analysis, critique, projects, and exercises. This course is for prospective Design majors. Activity. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
DES 226 Modern Letterpress Printing: Traditional and Digital Techniques (Units: 3)
Learn typographic principles, terms, and practices through traditional, hands-on typesetting techniques using moveable type. Computer typesetting is used to both plan projects that are then physically composed and printed using a letterpress, as well as to further comprehend typesetting and layout skills. The work done in this course is project-driven, following an iterative process. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
Course Attributes:
- C1: Arts
DES 228 Introduction to Web Design (Units: 3)
Introduction to interaction design, with a focus on web design. Fundamentals of UX/UI and visual interface design, user-centered design, and GUI development will be introduced. Application of basic design principles and elements to live websites built from scratch, with an understanding of HTML and CSS. Exploration of the basics of effective interface design and usability. Activity. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
DES 252 Rethinking Digital Visual Media: History, Technology, and Content (Units: 3)
Digital visual media (computer animation, interactive multimedia, Internet, virtual worlds) viewed through the lenses of history, cultural impact, technology, and production techniques. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
DES 256 Design and Society: Contemporary Design Issues and Applications (Units: 3)
Introduction to contemporary design issues, applications, and professions; exploration of design's wide-ranging social impacts from visual communication to product design, transportation to city planning, green design to design for social good. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
Course Attributes:
- C1: Arts
DES 277 Exploration in Meaning and Discourse Through Design (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Design majors and minors; DES 200* and DES 222*.
DES 277B Introduction to 3D (Polygon) Modeling (Units: 3)
Fundamentals of 3D modeling with polygon modeling software, integrating concepts and practice. Activity. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
DES 300 Design Process (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors and minors; DES 200*, DES 356*, and DES 370* with a grade of C or better; or permission of the instructor.
DES 305 Lab Safety Basics (Unit: 1)
Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division Design majors, minors, and graduate students.
DES 310 Product Design I (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors and minors; DES 200*, DES 305*, DES 320*, DES 321*, DES 356*, and DES 370* with grades of C or better; or permission of the instructor.
DES 311 Image Making for Designers (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Design majors and minors; DES 200* and DES 222*.
DES 312 Climate Issues and Activism (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4 all with grades of C- or better.
(This course is offered as DES 312, ENVS 312, and LS 312. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
DES 320 Drafting and Sketching for Design (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors and minors.
DES 321 Technical Drawing I: Introduction to CAD (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors and minors.
DES 322 Digital Design Foundations II (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors and minors; DES 222 with a grade of C or better; or permission of the instructor.
DES 324GW Research and Writing for Design - GWAR (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Design majors; GE Area A2; DES 200*, DES 356*, and DES 370* with a grade of C or better; or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Graduation Writing Assessment
DES 325 Graphic Design I (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors and minors; DES 200*, DES 322*, DES 356*, and DES 370* with grades of C or better; or permission of the instructor.
DES 327 Interactive Design I (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors and minors; DES 200*, DES 322*, DES 356*, and DES 370* with grades of C or better; or permission of instructor.
DES 332 Electricity and Electronics (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 200*, DES 356*, and DES 370* with a grade of C or better; or permission of the instructor.
DES 340 Design and Materials (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 200*, DES 305*, DES 356*, and DES 370* with grades of C or better; or permission of the instructor.
DES 356 A History of Design and Technology (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors and minors or permission of the instructor.
DES 360 Model Development Laboratory (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 200*, DES 305*, DES 356*, DES 370* with grades of C or better; or permission of the instructor.
DES 367 Introduction to Game Design (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 200*, DES 322, DES 356*, and DES 370*; or permission of the instructor.
DES 370 Introduction to The School of Design (Unit: 1)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Design majors and minors with sophomore standing or above; or permission of the instructor.
DES 405 How to Develop, Patent, and Market an Idea (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.
DES 410 Product Design II (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 300*, DES 305*, DES 310*, DES 321*, and DES 420* (may be taken concurrently); or permission of the instructor.
DES 411 Visual Storytelling for Designers (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Design majors and minors; DES 200*, DES 222*, DES 322*, DES 325*, and DES 327.*
DES 420 Rapid Visualization (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 320* and DES 370* with grades of C or better.
DES 421 Technical Drawing II: 3-D Solid Modeling (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 321* or equivalent; or permission of the instructor.
DES 425 Graphic Design II (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 325* with a grade of C or better; or permission of the instructor.
DES 427 Interactive Design II (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 327* with a grade of C or better; or permission of the instructor.
DES 448 User Experience Design (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 300*, DES 327*; or permission of the instructor.
DES 456 Design Thinking Principles and Practices (Units: 3)
Prerequisite for DES 756: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
Prerequisites for DES 456: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 200*, DES 356*, and DES 370* with grades of C or better; GPA of 3.0* or higher; or permission of the instructor.
(DES 456/DES 756 is a paired course offering. Students who complete the course at one level may not repeat the course at the other level.)
DES 460 Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Systems (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Design majors; DES 300*, DES 310*, and DES 321* or equivalents; or graduate Design students; or permission of the instructor.
DES 475 Topics in Design (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 300* and DES 322* or equivalents; or permission of the instructor.
Topics:
- Exploring Package Design
- Introduction to Solar Energy
- Contemporary Design Issues
- A Business Approach to Branding and Marketing
DES 505 Senior Design Project (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to senior Design majors; DES 200*, DES 322*, DES 324GW*, DES 356*, DES 370*, and either DES 425* or DES 310*.
DES 521 Technical Drawing III: Advanced Modeling and Rendering (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 321* and DES 421*; or permission of the instructor.
DES 523 Information Design I: Data Visualization (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors or minors; DES 200*, DES 300*, DES 322*, DES 325*, DES 327*, DES 356*, and DES 370*; or permission of the instructor.
DES 525 Graphic Design III: Advanced (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 425* with a grade of C or better; or permission of the instructor.
DES 527 Interactive Design III (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Design majors; DES 427* with a grade of C or better; or permission of the instructor.
DES 560 Prototyping Smart Devices (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors or minors; DES 310*, DES 321*, and DES 360*, or permission of the instructor.
DES 570 Professional Practices for Designers (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to senior Design majors; DES 300*, DES 322*, (DES 325* and DES 327*) or DES 310*; or permission of the instructor.
DES 575 Contemporary Design Workshop (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors and minors; DES 200*, DES 356*, and DES 370*.
Topics:
- Emerging Media
- Biomimicry
- Social and Community Design
- Justice Design: Crafting Ethical Design Solutions
DES 576 Practical Experience: Internship (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 200*, DES 356*, and DES 370*.
DES 625 Graphic Design Practicum: Design Working Group (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 325* and DES 425*; or graduate Design students.
DES 627 Advanced Projects in Visual Communication Design (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division Design majors and minors; DES 325 and DES 327; or permission of the instructor.
Topics:
- Brand Identity Design
- Visual Design for User Experience
- Type in Motion: Motion Graphics
DES 628 Design Gallery: Exhibitions and Communications (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 322* and DES 356* with grades of C or better; or permission of the instructor.
DES 677 Exploration in Delightful Design (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Design majors and minors. DES 200*, DES 322*, DES 325*, and DES 327*; or permission of the instructor.
DES 685 Projects in the Teaching of Design (Units: 1-4)
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor; completion of an equivalent course in the subject matter.
DES 699 Independent Study in Design (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 200*, DES 300*, DES 322*, DES 356*, and DES 370* with grades of C or better; cumulative GPA of 3.0*; or permission of the instructor.
DES 700 Seminar in Design Research (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to Design graduate students; Graduate Essay Test, which must be taken within six months of starting the graduate program.
DES 701 Seminar: Trends and Issues (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing in Family and Consumer Sciences or the School of Design.
DES 724 Graduate Research and Writing Methods in Design (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: DES 700* or permission of the instructor.
DES 755 Seminar in Design Management (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to Design graduate students; DES 700*; or permission of the instructor.
DES 756 Design Thinking Principles and Practices (Units: 3)
Prerequisite for DES 756: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
Prerequisites for DES 456: Restricted to upper-division Design majors; DES 200*, DES 356*, and DES 370* with grades of C or better; GPA of 3.0* or higher; or permission of the instructor.
(DES 456/DES 756 is a paired course offering. Students who complete the course at one level may not repeat the course at the other level.)
DES 800 Seminar in Design Topics (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Design students; DES 700* or equivalent.
DES 805 Seminar in Design Methodology (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Restricted to Design graduate students or permission of the instructor.
Topics:
- Visual Communications
- Industrial Design
DES 852 Directed Experience in Design (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate standing; permission of the graduate major adviser, supervising faculty member, and department chair.
DES 894 Creative Work Project (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and departmental graduate committee; and approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration.
DES 898 Master's Thesis (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and major adviser and approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration.
DES 899 Independent Study (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Enrollment by petition approved by the supervising instructor, the major adviser, and the department chair.