Design Studies offers multidisciplinary education in design and research of interior design environments and textiles and apparel design, through participation in formal classroom instruction and ongoing research and scholarly endeavors. Students benefit from a broad-based program and faculty specializing in areas such as design visualization, environment and behavior studies, history of interiors and textiles, interior architecture, material culture, textile and apparel design, and textile science.
Two undergraduate degree majors are offered: interior architecture, and textiles and fashion design. The department also offers multiple undergraduate certificates in design strategy, material cultures studies, and textiles and design. There is also a human ecology: design studies graduate program, offering M.S., MFA, and Ph.D. degrees.
Student internships in both undergraduate majors augment campus course offerings, providing students with unique learning opportunities in their chosen fields. Design studies majors have access to design resources: studios, a computer laboratory equipped to support design work; textile laboratories including a testing room; an interior architecture resource room, the Design Gallery, the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection, and the Ruth Ketterer Harris Library. In addition, a strong collaborative environment exists for students and faculty interaction with other departments, institutes, and museums on the campus and other design programs within the state and country.
For more information, visit the School of Human Ecology Design Studies faculty and staff directory.
Advising & Career Center
The Advising & Career Center (ACC) fosters undergraduate students' personal, academic, and professional development. Through advising, academic planning, and career education, we support students as they navigate the college experience—from exploring our majors as prospective students to becoming SoHE alumni.
Academic Advising
Each SoHE student is assigned to an academic advisor in the Advising & Career Center. SoHE academic advisors support academic and personal success by partnering with current and prospective SoHE students as they identify and clarify their educational goals, develop meaningful academic plans, and pursue their own Wisconsin Experience.
To explore academic advising resources or schedule an appointment with a SoHE academic advisor, visit Advising in SoHE.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Active engagement in the career development process is a vital component of a student’s personal growth in college and future success as a lifelong learner, professional, and global citizen. SoHE career advisors help prepare students for life post-graduation through advising and integration of career readiness throughout our curriculum.
To explore career development resources or schedule an appointment with a SoHE career advisor, visit Career Development.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The School of Human Ecology awards many merit and need-based scholarships each year. The deadline to apply for scholarships is typically late January. To be eligible for these awards, scholarship recipients must be registered as full-time SoHE students.
Students who experience emergency financial situations may inquire about the availability of short-term loans through the SoHE Advising & Career Center. In addition, university scholarships, loans, and employment are available through the Office of Student Financial Aid (333 East Campus Mall; 608-262-3060).