MFA PROGRAM
The UC Davis MFA in Design unites theory and practice. This two-year program encourages an interdisciplinary approach. Design faculty expertise includes design theory, exhibition, fashion, history, interior architecture, lighting, textiles, and visual communication (environmental, information, print and screen-based design).
A focus on innovation and excellence distinguishes the prestigious public rankings of UC Davis. U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis 9th among public research universities nationwide in 2011, while Washington Monthly ranked UCD 6th among U.S. universities based on their contributions to society (2010). Design MFA students collaborate with outstanding faculty inside and outside the department whose work covers a broad array of disciplines. Graduate students in Design blend individual focused research and creative practice with an understanding of key design issues in history, theory, research methodology, and sustainable practices. The MFA degree culminates in a project-based thesis and exhibition.
To apply to the MFA in Design at UC Davis, click here. For questions, please contact the Graduate Programs Administrator at mfa-design@ucdavis.edu or (530) 752-8710.
Degree Requirements
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MFA Handbook
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MFA Bylaws
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The Department of Design at UC Davis offers graduate students a unique opportunity to work with a dedicated and renowned design faculty within one of the nation's top public research universities. Our graduate students will have the option to focus on intensive studio activity, work on collaborative projects with other design students and faculty, focus on sustainability and its relationship to the design practice, and/or take advantage of collaborative opportunities with over 100 departments and programs at UCD. These range from the arts and humanities, to social science and politics, to biological science and agriculture, or projects with UCD's Professional Schools of Medicine, Law, or Veterinary Medicine.
The goal of the MFA in Design will be to provide advanced studies in design in four key areas: visual communication (print and screen-based design), exhibitions, interior architecture, and textile and fashion design.
Graduate studies will blend a breadth of understanding of key issues in design responsible practice, sustainable design practices, history, research methodology with focused research and creative practice. Graduates of the major will be prepared for careers in both academia and professional practice.
The following descriptions will be useful for understanding the disciplines within our four key areas of design (see additional information under our undergraduate program).
Exhibition Design is a synthesis of multiple design disciplines that come together to communicate objects, information and ideas across a range of three-dimensional environments. Spatial planning, furniture design, typography, image manipulation, color, lighting, and multimedia are combined with an understanding of audience and human factors, to shape storytelling experiences across multiple exhibition venues. Exhibit designers design and build exhibits for museums, trade shows, theater sets, visual merchandising, and interior design.
Interior Architecture includes study, design and creation of interior environments, furnishings and finish materials for both functional and aesthetic objectives; coordination of interior design with building structural, mechanical and electrical, acoustic, lighting communication systems; new materials (especially environmentally appropriate) and their uses, reuse and waste management of products; color theory and environmental perception; psychological and sociological environmental behavior issues, and history are other general areas of study.
Textile Arts and Fashion Design includes study, design and creation of textiles for clothing, structures, carpet, drapery and other consumer products such as upholstery and household linens in print, woven and composite forms, and the study, design and creation of clothing for fashion, functional gear, and a range of user groups from children to elderly and disabled individuals. Other issues in the area include the use, reuse, and waste management of textile materials, textile construction and chemistry, and social, historical and psychological aspects of textile and fashion design.
Visual Communication includes the study, design and creation of communication tools and products in the visual realm with respect to educational or informational impact in print, digital, film and three-dimensional media. Psychological issues, history of media, and perception and intent of visual communications are also areas of potential learning.
Information on the Design major and Letters and Sciences can also be found in the: UC Davis General Catalog.
For up-to-date information regarding changes to design courses and curriculum that may not be listed in the UC Davis General Catalog please check the: General Catalog Course Supplement and Policies & Requirements Addendum.