MFA DESIGN STUDENT HANDBOOK - Roski School Of Art And Design

MFA DESIGN CURRICULUMThe MFA Design degree requires a minimum of 56 units to be distributed as follows:Practice (18)DES 513 Visiting Designer Forum – 2 units, 4 units totalDES 514 Designer in Residence Forum -2 units, 4 units totalDES 520 Individual Studies – 2 units, 8 units totalDES 550 Advancement - 2 unitsAcademic Courses (8)DES 503 Contemporary Issues in Design – 4 unitsDES 523 Design Theory – 4 unitsMaster’s Thesis (4 units)DES 594a, Master’s Thesis – 2 unitsDES 594b, Master’s Thesis – 2 unitsElectives (26 units)500-level courses offered by the Roski School – 10 units400- or 500-level courses offered by the Roski School – 8 units400-, 500-, or 600-level courses outside* of the Roski School – 8 units*Select from 18 professional schools at USC and/or the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and ScienceSome 500-level options include:DES 530 Co-Lab – 2 units, max 6DES 540 Design Pedagogy – 4 units (required of TA applicants)DES 590 Directed Research 1-12 units, max 12DES 591 Internship – 2 unitsDES 599 Special Topics – 2-4 units, max 8MANDATORY ADVISEMENTAll MFA Design students must meet with their academic advisor before registering for classes eachterm. Whenever meeting with an advisor, a student should always bring a laptop or tablet to scheduleclasses while in the advisor’s office. The most productive meetings occur when students arrive preparedand have already reviewed course offerings via the USC Schedule of Classes website. MandatoryAdvisement occurs during specific weeks. Students should consult the Advisement section ofhttps://roski.usc.edu/resources/student for appropriate times. Students should also read and followdirections that their advisor emails to them. Mandatory Advisement meetings are arranged via email withthe academic advisor. MFA Design students will not be able to register for classes until they meet withtheir advisor. Timely attendance of Mandatory Advisement meetings and timely registration are requisitesfor satisfactory progress.7

MFA DESIGN 2-YEAR/5-TERM SAMPLE COURSE SEQUENCE CHARTStudents may use this chart as a guideline when registering each term, in order to meet all courserequirements for the MFA Design program. However, other sequences may also be possible. Thegraduate advisor can assist with any questions about MFA Design degree requirements or coursesequences by email, phone, or appointment.Course Code (Unit Value)TitleTermYear 1FallDES 503 (4)Contemp. Issues inDesignDES 520 (2)IndividualStudies or DES530 Co-Lab (2)DES 513 (2)Visiting DesignerForum400-level orhigher (2)Non-RoskielectiveDES 520 (2)IndividualStudies or DES530 Co-Lab (2)DES 514 (2)Designer in Res.Forum400-level orhigher (4) NonRoski ElectiveDES 591 (2)Internship400-level orhigher (2) NonRoski ElectiveDES 513 (2)VisitingDesigner Forum400-level orhigher (4) RoskiElectiveYear 1SpringDesign TheoryYear 1SummerDES 550 (2)Advancement—Year 2FallDES 594a (2)ThesisDES 520 (2)IndividualStudies or DES530 Co-Lab (2)DES 523 (4)TotalUnitsDES 540 DesignPedagogy (4)500-level or higher (2)Roski Elective500-level or higher (2)Roski Elective500-level or higher (2)Roski ElectiveDES 520 (2)DES 514 (2)400-level or higherIndividualDesigner in Res.(4) Roski ElectiveStudies or DESForum530 Co-Lab (2)* Teaching Assistant positions available only available after completing the DES 540 Design PedagogyYear 2SpringDES 594b (2)ThesisCore: 30 units—141461210Electives: 26 units1 x DES 503 Contemporary Issues in Design (4)500-level or higher of Roski electives (10)**2 x DES 513 Visiting Designer Forum (2)400-level or higher of Roski electives (8)**2 x DES 514 Designer in Residence Forum (2)400-level or higher of non-Roski electives (8)**4 x DES 520 Individual Studies (2)---1 x DES 523 Design Theory (4)Suggested Roski electives:DES 433 Int’l Design Study Tour (2)or DES 543 Design Study Tour (2)DES 530 Design Co-Lab (2, max 6)DES 540 Design Pedagogy (4)DES 590 Directed Research (1–12, max 12)DES 591 Internship (2)DES 599 Special Topics (2-4, max 8)1 x DES 550 Advancement (2)1 x DES 594a Thesis (2)1 x DES 594b Thesis (2)Total Units: 56** Each course will be for 2–4 units of credit. All elective courses (Roski and non-Roski) must be approved by the Directorof the MFA Design program.8

COURSES OF INTERESTDES 503 Contemporary Issues in Design and DES 523 Design TheoryThese seminars include a survey of visual communication and human-centered design; an overview of thepractice of design and the history of the design fields; and introduce key language and concepts anddiscuss creative methodology used over time and in a contemporary design practice.DES 513 The Visiting Designer Forum offered in the fall features in-depth public presentations byprominent artists, designers, writers, scholars and curators that sometimes extends throughout theacademic year. Presentations typically include a group discussion that allows students, faculty and thepublic to raise questions or problems and explore ideas with the visitor. First year students in the graduateprograms also attend a closed-session seminar with the visitor and a USC Roski faculty member,engaging in intensive dialogue on issues posed by the lecture/discussion and previously assignedreadings. In many cases students also have the opportunity to meet one on one with the visitor to presenttheir own work and to learn from the visitor's professional expertise.DES 514 The Designer in Residence Forum offered in the spring provides advanced MFA students anopportunity to engage in depth with a visiting designer, artist, scholar, curator, historian or critic over amore extended intensive period. Opportunities for students include attending the visitor's public lectureand closed-session seminar as well as engaging the visitor through studio visits, group critiques, seminarsand individual mentoring sessions.DES 520 Individual StudiesStudents work with distinguished faculty and visiting design professionals through a series of privatestudio visits. Visits typically occur weekly, but may occur more or less frequently, as determined byindividual student needs and faculty advisors.Analysis and implications of forces contributing to conceptual development is provided by faculty.DES 530 Design Studio Co-LabThis course will provide students with a critical examination of contextual issues, theories, movementsand ideas that are relevant to the contemporary design practice in collaboration with a professional client.Students enrolled in this class will develop methodologies for working with clients and receive advancedinstruction, analytical tools and design techniques related to the collaborative project.DES 540 Design PedagogyThis course, required for students interested in applying for teaching assistantships in their second year,features lectures and hands-on instruction on how to create design-related coursework, write syllabi,develop in-class assignments on themes in design pedagogy. Coursework includes an overview of thedesign process and process thinking; technology-based instruction; design pedagogical methodology; andvisual problem-solving as part of a pedagogical practice.DES 550 AdvancementThis is a workshop under the guidance of the program director, to prepare students advancing tocandidacy (thesis), usually following the completion of two semesters of core requirements.DES 590 Directed ResearchThis is an individualized approach to undertaking research specific to your thesis. A contract, projectsyllabus and permission of the program director is required.DES 591 Field Internship ExperienceThis is an experiential opportunity that matches the interests of an individual design student with a designfirm or independent designer who sponsors the student for a minimum of 150 hours of practical trainingand/or field experience.9

DES 599 Special TopicsA rotating selection of topics related to the various speciality areas within design.DES 543 Design Study Tour and DES 433 International Design Study TourStudy Tours provide a unique and fresh perspective to a field of study. It allows individuals to see theirstudies in practice and offering exciting alternative to the traditional classroom-based learning. Thedomestic Design Study Tour includes a faculty-guided, 7-day tour to a specific American city duringUSC’s Spring Break in March, with on-site visits to some of the nation’s most diverse and dynamiccultural hubs. The tours include visits to renown design firms and studios, museums, cultural centers andstudio visits to influential cultural practitioners. The International Design Study Tour includes a facultyguided 14 to 16-day tour to European or Asian cities, such as London, Berlin, Japan, China, or NewDelhi, either after the spring semester, or before the fall semester. This course includes on-site visits tosome of the city’s most diverse and dynamic design firms and studios, meeting with art and designprofessionals and visits to museums and other cultural institutions. The participation in at least one designstudy tour course is encouraged for the degree.ELECTIVE COURSESMFA Design students take a minimum of 26 units of electives from within the Roski School as well asacross the university, capitalizing on the strength of the University’s six professional art schools as wellas the Marshall School of Business, the Annenberg School for Communication, the Viterbi School ofEngineering and the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.STUDENT REVIEWS (MIDTERM AND FINAL)All first-year students participate in on-campus reviews of their work, held four times a year at themidterm and the close of the fall and spring semesters. These reviews provide a formal dialogue betweenstudent artists and faculty participants. Students present and discuss completed work as well as worksin-progress during each review.A. Midterm ReviewsMidterm reviews are held halfway through each term and are attended by the core faculty.Midterm review assessments will be compiled and shared with students at one-on-one meetingswith the Director and/or key faculty to determine the student’s progress.B. Final ReviewsFinal reviews are normally held on the Friday of the last week of classes each semester and areincluded as part of the grade assessment for DES 520 Individual Studies. In addition to the MFADesign faculty, all members of the Roski School’s full-time faculty are invited to participate.During all reviews, MFA Design students are encouraged to have a fellow student or facultymember take notes capturing the dialogue. *Students are encouraged to invite non-Roskifaculty, design professionals and/or end users for wider feedback.*C. Review Assessments and GradesThe purpose of the first-year reviews is to confirm that the student is making satisfactoryprogress toward their terminal degree, after which they may proceed to the thesis requirement inthe second year. These assessments are included in the letter grade evaluation for DES 520Individual Studies in the fall and spring for first-year MFA Design students. Students shouldrefer to http://catalogue.usc.edu/content.php?catoid 8&navoid 2388 for USC’s policy onmaintaining satisfactory academic progress. Note that students must meet deadlines set by bothRoski and the Graduate School to maintain satisfactory progress.Final Reviews at the end of the semester are not required for second-year MFA Design studentsin satisfactory standing.10

D. Relationship Between the Spring Final Review and Second-Year FundingFunding for a student’s second year in the MFA Design Program is merit-based and competitive.Students must demonstrate they are making timely and satisfactory progress to the degree to beeligible to receive funding in the second year. Funding is at the discretion of the Director, asapproved by the Dean. Again, students must meet deadlines set by both Roski and the GraduateSchool to maintain satisfactory progress.ADVANCEMENT TO CANDIDACYAt the end of the second semester of the first-year students may be advanced to candidacy (DES 550Advancement) for the MFA Design degree by the Roski Design faculty if:1. They remain in satisfactory standing following the spring semester Final Review.2. They have successfully completed a minimum of twenty (20) units according to the curriculumabove. 20 units represent the normal minimum for two semesters of full-time course work.3. They have maintained 3.0 GPA.MFA DESIGN THESIS REQUIREMENTSAs a capstone to their degree, all Roski MFA Design students are required to submit a written thesiswhich provides a rigorously researched and theoretically and historically grounded set of argumentsrelating to a specific, proposed design final project. In addition to the written thesis students must mount apractice component which can include an exhibition, public presentation, community project, or aproposal for a new course or new program. A cohort exhibition takes place in the spring of the secondyear. Each student is guided in both elements of the thesis by a committee of supportive faculty, includingthe thesis supervisor or Chair and two other members.The written thesis is also carried out under the guidance of the thesis committee and the USC GraduateSchool. The written thesis is submitted in the second semester of the second year. For complete USCguidelines and standards see: on/.Thesis DeadlinesStudents may choose between two timelines to submit their theses: Early Submission Option Deadline orRegular Submission Deadline sis-dissertationsubmission/submission-deadlines/. Please inform the Director and your graduate advisor by thebeginning of the first semester of the second year if you choose the Early Submission option. TheEarly Submission Option is available ONLY for Fall and Spring semesters. Students will be exempt fromthe requirement to register for CRIT 594b Thesis (2,2) in a given semester if they have met thecontinuous enrollment requirement, completed all required checklist items, and submitted the manuscriptto the Graduate School Thesis Center by the deadlines listed.Please note: International students considering the Early Submission Option should check with the Officeof International Services (OIS) to be sure the lack of course registration will not affect their visa status.A. Thesis CommitteeThe thesis committee works closely with the individual candidate to complete the thesisrequirements. The thesis committee consists of three members of the USC faculty. Twomembers must be drawn from the Roski School’s full-time Design faculty ranks currentlyteaching in either the MFA, MA, or BA/BFA programs, and holding an MFA, PhD, or theirequivalent (extensive professional experience may serve in lieu of a terminal degree, upon therecommendation of the Director, and approval by the Dean). The third member must be a full11

time USC faculty member from either inside the Roski School (choose from Art, Critical Studiesor Design faculty) or outside of the Roski School in other disciplines. One of the three thesiscommittee members is designated as the Chair by request of the candidate. The Chair providesleadership and guidance to the committee and helps to steer the process, but the student isresponsible for meeting all deadlines, not the Chair. The thesis committee acts both as acommittee of advisors prior to the final MFA Design practice component and as a formal reviewcommittee for the graduate student’s written thesis. For full guidelines regarding faculty eligibleto serve on thesis committees, seehttp://catalogue.usc.edu/content.php?catoid 7&navoid 1767#graduate school policies and requirements.B. Formation of the Thesis CommitteeThe student forms their thesis committees upon advancement to candidacy at the end springsemester in the first year. The student contacts faculty individually and formalizes theircommittee by having the faculty sign the Appointment of Committee intment Change of Committee Form Doctoral.pdf. This form is then submitted to the MFA Design advisor, who will contact the Dean for hersignature. All committee appointments are subject to approval by the Dean.The student meets with the faculty on their thesis committee as part of DES 520 IndividualStudies beginning in the second year of study, and will hold regular meetings to discuss thedrafts of the thesis with the faculty.C. Final Thesis and the Final Thesis ReviewThe written thesis is expected to be 20–40 pages, inclusive of notes but not bibliography orillustrations. The final paper is due midway through the second semester of the second year–with no exceptions or extensions. The topic should be relevant to and inform the student’sstudio practice and relate to her/his/their work in the final thesis show. T

Roski School of Art and Design Master of Fine Arts in Design Program. 1262 Palmetto St. Suite 515 . Los Angeles, CA 90013 . 213.740.2787 (ARTS) . The USC MFA Design Studios are located in the Roski School's Graduate Programs building in the Los Angeles downtown arts district. The building is part of a vibrant art and design community