Browse all Design Studies courses →
Red: department · Gray: UW–Madison
GPA and percentages are weighted by recorded letter grades. UW comparisons use the same terms. Cross-listed courses count once within this department and once across UW; department totals should not be added together. Grade counts are not unique students. Offering counts reflect captured records, not a complete historical schedule.
Grades have not been recorded for this term. Historical results remain in the overview above.
Historical grades cover up to five years through the selected term. Grade sorting prioritizes courses with at least 100 letter grades.
Examines hand weaving's relationship to textural surfaces and sculptural forms through structure, pattern, and composition.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
A historical review describes the course as fun under instructor Emelia Haglund.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sampleAn introduction to the technical and conceptual ways of working in Textile Design, covering print, dye, and structural enrichment.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026DS 120 covers the elements and principles of design relevant to the visual environment.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Brooke Godfrey, Elizabeth Anne Hooper-Lane, Esther Kang: Students report that the class is very time-consuming, with projects requiring extensive digital art knowledge and effort. Weekly quizzes on lecture content and studio sessions add to the burden, and TAs are frequently described as tough graders who deduct points without clear explanation.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025DS 151 introduces sewn construction, fabric cutting, and finishing techniques for creating garment prototypes.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Introduces visual communication of apparel design concepts using selected media.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sampleDS 221 examines how built and outdoor environments impact people throughout their lives.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Michael Hunt, Uchita Vaid: Workload includes exams, projects, and discussion participation. Exams are thorough and recall-based; some find them easy with preparation, while others find them challenging due to specific questions not covered in lectures. Discussion sections and TA feedback are noted as helpful for grades.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025DS 222 teaches the process of solving interior design problems, including space planning and material selection.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025Interior Architectural Design covers building components, construction, working drawings, and project development.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025DS 224 explores the composition, uses, and health impacts of materials in interior environments.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025Teaches basic concepts and methods for communicating ideas through visual design, integrating manual and digital approaches.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025DS 252 examines design careers across textiles, fashion, apparel, interior, industrial, and architecture fields through industry expert guest speakers.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Introduces flat patternmaking for apparel design, teaching dart manipulation, fullness, and contouring to create accurate garment drafts.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sampleDS 299 is an independent study course where students engage in directed study projects arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
DS 321 teaches problem definition through design programming, covering approaches, tools, and techniques for creating design program documents.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Fall 2025DS 327 teaches textile pattern design using manual and digital methods, covering motif, layout, and colorways.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sampleDS 341 teaches design thinking techniques for creative analysis and human-centered problem solving through innovation, prototyping, and testing.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The course relies heavily on group work and requires regular attendance, though no textbooks are needed.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026DS 355 examines the changing form and meaning of Western costume from the Renaissance to the present, analyzing dress as an art form within its social and cultural context.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
One reviewer described the class as stressful with unclear expectations and tough grading.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2025Surveys the history of architecture, interiors, furnishings and decorative arts from antiquity to the mid-19th century.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Fall 2025DS 451 covers specialized topics of current interest, specifically focusing on color theory and technology.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Majid Sarmadi: The course involves significant work, including a 10-page research paper, a presentation, and two exams, though one reviewer noted success with study guides despite low class engagement.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026DS 501 covers specialized topics of current interest in the field.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The course is reading-heavy, though the assigned readings are described as very interesting and worthwhile.
No recorded grade history
DS 528 covers experimental design, decorative principles, and techniques for animating textile surfaces.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sampleDS 550 explores the material culture of childhood, examining how objects like toys, clothing, and furnishings reflect the history of young people and family life.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Interior Design III focuses on the design of commercial interiors, covering the design process, programming, space planning, and the selection of materials, furniture, and lighting.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025Interior Design IV covers the design of commercial interiors, emphasizing acoustics, codes, costs, specifications, details, and visual presentation.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026Explores and refines interior design skills through the full design process, addressing space planning, detailing, rendering, and client presentation.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sampleDS 641 teaches advanced design thinking and human-centered problem solving to address complex real-world issues.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2023–Fall 2025 · limited sampleA capstone course culminating design education through real-world challenges, focusing on critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative teamwork to develop effective design solutions and portfolios.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
DS 690 is a senior thesis course involving individual study arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2025 · limited sampleDS 699 is an independent study course where students conduct directed projects arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Fall 2024 · limited sampleDS 920 is a seminar forum for discussing issues in contemporary art and design.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2025–Fall 2025 · limited sampleNo released grades for this term.
Offering snapshots currently cover Fall 2026. Earlier grade records do not provide a complete offering history.