Biography

Design sits at the intersection of form and function, with the human experience at its center. In this hands-on, project-based course, students learn to create functional solutions to real-world problems while developing an aesthetic sensibility and, most important, empathy for the user.

Students are introduced to Design Thinking and explore the crucial role empathy plays in both process and outcome. Creativity is essential, and students are expected to regularly step beyond their comfort zones. Collaboration and communication are core components of the course; students will work in teams, present their ideas, and engage in regular presentation and critique sessions.

Topics include product design, industrial design, user interaction and interior design, architecture and architectural movements, lamp design, sketching, model-making, and computer-aided design. The course culminates in a final project that synthesizes the concepts, skills, and processes developed throughout the year.