Department of Design [ What is Design? ]

University Information

Department Information

Undergraduate Program

Graduate Program

What is Design?


	We define design as a purposeful, systematic, and creative activity. The process is purposeful—designers give form to products, interiors, and visual communications, and satisfy the functional, psychological, and aesthetic needs of users. Design is systematic, as it involves the analysis of problems in our physical environment, and the transformation of findings into appropriate and usable solutions. Design is also creative, as designers must possess the expertise to create compelling visual forms for products, spaces, and information systems, and to advance applications of new technologies in our everyday lives.



	"We work together, eat together, play together; we're like family." Lindsay Rego, junior industrial design major on her 18-student class, quoted in a February 28 article in the Columbus Dispatch [more] Emeritus Professor and former Department Chair Charles Wallschlaeger was given the Industrial Design Society of America Educator Award this year [more] A reception for new students accepted for 2008/09 will be held at Evans Lab, Room 2004 on March 26 at 4:30. Design Circle will host a pizza reception at Donatos on High Street immediately following. All students who successfully passed the entrance exam are invited to attend, as are all current Design students. Our 40th year celebrations begin February 11 and continue into next fall. Go to the [article] in our [newsletter] for more information and scheduled events. The Design Department has released its latest newsletter, Quick Sketches. [more] The Design Department is searching for a tenure track faculty member to serve as Foundations Studies Coordinator. [more] OSU Design Department Industrial Design undergrad program ranked #3 nationally by DesignIntelligence survey; graduate program ranked #10. [more] Tha Computer Animation and Visualization graduate program is now called the Digital Animation + Interactive Media program. For more information, visit the ACCAD site [here] The Department now offers an undergraduate Minor in Industrial, Interior and Visual Communications Design. [more] New Design Undergraduate Research page now online. [more] Student discounted Macintosh and Windows laptop bundles for design students. [purchase options]

	College of the Arts [Technology Help Desk] Answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" can be found at [design.osu.edu/faq.html] Download the Graduate Application Form [here] Download the complete graduate program information documents [here]. If you are applying for the Digital Animation + Interactive Media (formerly Computer Animation and Visualization) area of emphasis, download the DAIM program information [here] Download the undergraduate program information documents [here] For current Design Graduate students: Download the Graduate Handbook [here] e-mail the chairperson directly [carlson.8@osu.edu], or submit your input or request anonymously [here]. 9

	Events and exhibitions in and around the Department of Design [view] [subscribe]