BA in Design Studies

Degree Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies degree from UIC, students need to complete university, college, and school degree requirements. The degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies are outlined below. Students should consult College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.

Summary of Requirements
General Education and Core Requirements30-32
Design Course Requirements68
Electives22
Total Hours120

General Education and Core Requirements

Required Courses
ENGL 160Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts3
ENGL 161Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research3
AH 110World History of Art and the Built Environment I a4
AH 111World History of Art and the Built Environment II a4
Analyzing the Natural World course4-5
Exploring World Cultures course3
Understanding the Individual and Society course 3
Understanding the Past course3
Understanding U.S. Society course3
One additional General Education course in any category0-3
Total Hours30-32
a

Course fulfills the general education requirement in Understanding the Creative Arts.

Pre-Design Studies: Studio Courses

Required Courses
DES 140Design Drawing4
DES 150Digital Media Design I4
DES 160Design Photography4
DES 170Color Theory4
Total Hours16

Design Course Requirements

Required Courses
Foundation Courses
DES 110Design Colloquium1
DES 140Design Drawing4
DES 150Digital Media Design I4
DES 160Design Photography4
DES 170Color Theory4
Intermediate Courses
DES 208Typography I: Form4
DES 209Typography II: Systems4
DES 222Human Experience in Design4
DES 235History of Design I: 1760-19253
DES 236History of Design II: 1925 to the Present3
DES 255Integrative Design Studio I4
DES 256Integrative Design Studio II4
Advanced Courses
DES 322Design Research Methods4
DES 355Design Seminar3
DES 357Integrative Design Studio III4
DES 458Integrative Studio Project4
DES 410Senior Design Colloquium I1
DES 411Senior Design Colloquium II1
Select one of the year-long professional practice track options:8
DES 420
& DES 421
Professional Practice Project I
and Professional Practice Project II
DES 430
& DES 431
Interdisciplinary Product Development I
and Interdisciplinary Product Development II
DES 440
& DES 441
Design and Identity I
and Design and Identity II
DES 452
& DES 453
Information Aesthetics I
and Information Aesthetics II
Total Hours68

Electives

Electives
Select a minimum of 22 hours to reach a total of 120 semester hours.22
Total Hours22

Sample Course Schedule—BA in Design Studies

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman Year
Fall SemesterHours
DES 110 Design Colloquium 1
DES 140 Design Drawing (Spring or Fall) 4
DES 150 Digital Media Design I (Spring or Fall) 4
ENGL 160 Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts 3
Understanding the Individual in Society General Education course 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
DES 160 Design Photography (Spring or Fall) 4
DES 170 Color Theory (Spring or Fall) 4
ENGL 161 Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research 3
Understanding the Past General Education course 3
 Hours14
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
AH 110 World History of Art and the Built Environment I 4
DES 208 Typography I: Form 4
DES 222 Human Experience in Design 4
Analyzing the Natural World General Education course 4
 Hours16
Spring Semester
AH 111 World History of Art and the Built Environment II 4
DES 209 Typography II: Systems 4
DES 322 Design Research Methods 4
Exploring World Cultures General Education requirement 3
 Hours15
Junior Year
Fall Semester
DES 235 History of Design I: 1760-1925 3
DES 255 Integrative Design Studio I 4
Understanding U.S. Society General Education course 3
Elective (chosen in consultation with advisor) 3
Elective (chosen in consultation with advisor) 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
DES 236 History of Design II: 1925 to the Present 3
DES 256 Integrative Design Studio II 4
Elective (chosen in consultation with advisor) 3
Elective (chosen in consultation with advisor) 3
Elective (chosen in consultation with advisor) 3
 Hours16
Senior Year
Fall Semester
DES 355 Design Seminar 3
DES 357 Integrative Design Studio III 4
Professional Practice Track (select one of the following): 4
DES 420
 Professional Practice Project I  
DES 430
 Interdisciplinary Product Development I  
DES 440
 Design and Identity I  
DES 452
 Information Aesthetics I  
Elective (chosen in consultation with advisor) 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
DES 410 Senior Design Colloquium I 1
DES 411 Senior Design Colloquium II 1
Professional Practice Track (select one of the following): 4
DES 421
 Professional Practice Project II  
DES 431
 Interdisciplinary Product Development II  
DES 441
 Design and Identity II  
DES 453
 Information Aesthetics II  
DES 458 Integrative Studio Project 4
Elective (chosen in consultation with advisor) 4
 Hours14
 Total Hours120