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Interdisciplinary Design Studies

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About the Program

Work Credits
Pam Schmeider (UX Design)

In this new, option-rich program, each student will build their own customized curriculum across four other graduate programs at CCS as well as a number of custom classes, including Color & Materials Design, Design for Sustainability, Transportation Design and User Experience Design.

As students advance their design practices through this interdisciplinary approach, they’ll hone clear, lateral perspectives and strengthen their leadership skills in multidisciplinary teams.

Curriculum Faculty Facilities Minor in Design for Sustainability Admissions Requirements

The CCS Interdisciplinary Studies graduate program supports the development of each student’s unique, versatile skill set. With a focus on breaking down silos, we foster collaboration within our culturally diverse and international community of graduate students.

As students explore and engage with interdisciplinary research methods and analysis, they’ll strengthen their design and visual arts practices both in the program and beyond. Through live project situations, they’ll extend their communication and negotiable skills amidst a range of project stakeholders.

We welcome students with undergraduate degrees and backgrounds in the visual arts, design, architecture and other creative disciplines. Those with an initial graduate degree can apply to enter directly into the second year of the program. We also accept students with an initial graduate degree, who can pursue the MFA’s second-year coursework: Applicants may transfer up to 30 credits at the graduate level from previous study.

Graduates of this program will pursue successful careers as creatives, curators, academics, entrepreneurs, leaders, policymakers and much more.

Creative design agencies and consultancies
Visual narrative and curation
Creative Leadership and Policy Making
Entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship
Academic research (PhD)
Higher Education

The 30-credit MA (initial degree), available in-person, is the first year of the 60-credit MFA (terminal degree), with classes focusing on professional and technical skills and knowledge. During the second year, students embark on an independently defined critical enquiry.

The MFA degree program culminates in a written thesis course and a capstone final project that examines, transcends and redefines interdisciplinary boundaries.

Close up of a Color and Materials Design student's project
Backlit shot of a collection of metallic looking bottles
apparel concept
fabritecture building concept
A dTree project closeup
Student showing their projects workflow

Described as Detroit’s “untapped strength,” design and innovative partnerships have played key roles in the city’s resilience. CCS’s Interdisciplinary Design Studies students live, learn and work among a vibrant, international community of creatives in the only U.S. city designated as a UNESCO City of Design.

As a UNESCO City of Design, Detroit is part of a network of 34 cities around the world using design to improve the lives of everyday people.

Image of the city of Detroit paired with a UNESCO City of Design logo
Photo of a huge metal ring sculpture in Detroit at night. It is pictured in front of a group of high rise building in the downtown.
Photo of the exterior of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
Arial photo of the high-rise buildings in downtown Detroit
Photo of a crowd entering the Detroit Institute of Arts at night.
various people sitting at desks while working and talking at a community event
Photo of the exterior of the Detroit Institute of Arts on a sunny day

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