Students integrate the study of architecture with strategies of Graphic and Information Design, Interaction Design or Experience Design. A flexible curriculum focused on key contemporary topics related to the built environment is combined with a broad understanding of the principles and systems of perception, communication, and action. Students integrate text and image to visualize concepts and data, create navigable interfaces and systems that allow audiences to take an active role to achieve meaningful goals, and take a holistic and integrative approach that focuses on the quality of the human experience in concrete situations. Students emerge with a strong portfolio suited to further graduate education or experience in architecture and design-related fields.
Students learn to conceptualize, synthesize, and represent complex architectural, urban, and environmental issues. Students combine this knowledge with the design of message and meaning, integrating text and image to visualize concepts and data to enhance human understanding of complex and vital knowledge.
Learning Outcomes
Design
- Apply iterative design processes to create, revise, evaluate, and develop effective prototypes and innovative solutions.
- Engage human-centered design research methods and systems thinking to identify and understand values, goals, intentions of intended audiences as a mode of inquiry, question framing and guide to action.
- Develop a high level of craft and technical skills in a relevant range of media and tools and effectively weigh applicability for intended audiences and outcomes.
- Develop and realize intent, concept, and content with awareness of context and consequence.
- Implement visual patterns incorporating text, image, diagram including temporal and spatial representations to recognize, categorize, and articulate significant form and meaning.
- Employ and embody ethical practices, team and cross-disciplinary collaboration, and effective communication and presentation skills.
- Apply relevant communication theories and principles and appreciate the pervasive and long-term impact of design decisions on people and societies.
Architectural Studies
Students with a degree in architectural studies will have:
- Utilize design processes and two- and three-dimensional representation skills for deciphering, communicating, and shaping the built environment.
- Analyze the reciprocal influences among global socio-cultural and historical contexts, built environments, and the communities that inhabit them.
- Apply knowledge of design methods that ensure sustainability, resilience, health, safety, and welfare in the built environment.
- Acquire skills of communication and collaboration necessary for managing complex projects and working with diverse constituents.
- Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental constructions systems and how building technologies impact the built environment.
- Employ research methods to analyze and decipher complex environments.
- Identify the diverse range of professional practices and regulations applicable to designing the built environment.
- Understand the ethical responsibilities involved in designing the built environment.
