Minor in Design


Through a primarily lecture-based curriculum, the Minor in Design complements students' major areas of study through the development of core skills in visual literacy, design thinking, and creative problem-solving.

Total Required Credit Hours, 300+ Level (jr/sr) Credit Hours:

The Minor in Design requires 18 credit hours of coursework, at least 12 credit hours of which must be completed at the 300+ level. 

Residency Requirement:

At least 9 credit hours of coursework for the requirements of the minor must be completed at KU.

GPA Requirement:

A GPA of 2.0 or higher including all required courses for the minor is required to graduate with the minor.

Specific Course Requirements:

ADS 300 (UX Design) - 3 credit hours - available spring 2023

ADS 320 (KU Design Symposium) - 1 credit hour taken 3 times - available every fall and spring

ADS 325 (Design Thinking & Research Methods) - 3 credit hours - available in spring 2023

ADS 340 (History & Philosophy of Design) - 3 credit hours - available in spring 2023

ADS 401 (Design Ethics) - 3 credit hours - available in fall 2022

*Studio Elective Requirement - 3 credit hours - availability varies

 

*The Studio Elective Requirement is intended as a capstone experience, building on principles learned in required lecture coursework.

 

Studio Elective Options (pending available space, and instructor permission required for all except PHTO):

  • BDS 101 (Think & Make) - 3 credit hours - available in fall except fall 2022

  • BDS 103 (Drawing for Design) - 3 credit hours - available in fall except fall 2022

  • ILLU 200 (Foundations in Image-Making) - 3 credit hours - available in spring 2023

  • INDD 200 (Foundations in Industrial Design) - 3 credit hours - available in spring 2023

  • PHTO 101 (Fundamentals of PHTO) - 3 credit hours - available every fall and spring

  • PHTO 200 (Foundations in PHTO: Digital) - 3 credit hours - available every fall and spring

  • PHTO 205 (Foundations in PHTO: Darkroom) - 3 credit hours) - availability varies

  • VISC 200 (Foundations in Typography) - 3 credit hours - availability varies

  • ADS 560 (Topics in Design) - 3 credit hours - availability varies

  • Any ILLU, INDD, PHTO, or VISC course - 3 credit hours - availability varies

Admission Requirements

In order to qualify for admission to the Minor in Design, a student must hold a KU Cumulative Graduation GPA of at least a 2.0. Students are not required to submit a portfolio.

Application Link & Deadline

In order to apply for admission, students will need to submit the Minor in Design webform. Applications are due by August 1 to be considered for fall-semester admission and by January 1 for spring-semester admission.

Notes

  • Students may enroll in ADS 320 (KU Design Symposium) without prior admission to the Minor in Design. Admission to the minor is prerequisite to enrollment in all other ADS courses.
  • Admission to the Minor in Design does not guarantee enrollment in courses required for the minor. Space in required courses is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Department of Design works carefully to build in capacity for our major and minor students to take their required courses, though we're unable to guarantee accommodation for all possible students in every semester.
  • Students whose primary interest is Photography should consider our Photography Minor!

For assistance with enrollment planning, please schedule an appointment with your academic advisor!

For assistance with questions regarding the Minor in Design curriculum, course availability, or other questions about the program, please contact our academic advisors!

Through a primarily lecture-based curriculum, the Minor in Design complements students' major areas of study through the development of core skills in visual literacy, design thinking, and creative problem-solving.

Total Required Credit Hours, 300+ Level (jr/sr) Credit Hours:

The Minor in Design requires 18 credit hours of coursework, at least 12 credit hours of which must be completed at the 300+ level. 

Residency Requirement:

At least 9 credit hours of coursework for the requirements of the minor must be completed at KU.

GPA Requirement:

A GPA of 2.0 or higher including all required courses for the minor is required to graduate with the minor.

Specific Course Requirements:

ADS 300 (UX Design) - 3 credit hours - available spring 2023

ADS 320 (KU Design Symposium) - 1 credit hour taken 3 times - available every fall and spring

ADS 325 (Design Thinking & Research Methods) - 3 credit hours - available in spring 2023

ADS 340 (History & Philosophy of Design) - 3 credit hours - available in spring 2023

ADS 401 (Design Ethics) - 3 credit hours - available in fall 2022

*Studio Elective Requirement - 3 credit hours - availability varies

 

*The Studio Elective Requirement is intended as a capstone experience, building on principles learned in required lecture coursework.

 

Studio Elective Options (pending available space, and instructor permission required for all except PHTO):

  • BDS 101 (Think & Make) - 3 credit hours - available in fall except fall 2022

  • BDS 103 (Drawing for Design) - 3 credit hours - available in fall except fall 2022

  • ILLU 200 (Foundations in Image-Making) - 3 credit hours - available in spring 2023

  • INDD 200 (Foundations in Industrial Design) - 3 credit hours - available in spring 2023

  • PHTO 101 (Fundamentals of PHTO) - 3 credit hours - available every fall and spring

  • PHTO 200 (Foundations in PHTO: Digital) - 3 credit hours - available every fall and spring

  • PHTO 205 (Foundations in PHTO: Darkroom) - 3 credit hours) - availability varies

  • VISC 200 (Foundations in Typography) - 3 credit hours - availability varies

  • ADS 560 (Topics in Design) - 3 credit hours - availability varies

  • Any ILLU, INDD, PHTO, or VISC course - 3 credit hours - availability varies

Admission Requirements

In order to qualify for admission to the Minor in Design, a student must hold a KU Cumulative Graduation GPA of at least a 2.0. Students are not required to submit a portfolio.

Application Link & Deadline

In order to apply for admission, students will need to submit the Minor in Design webform. Applications are due by August 1 to be considered for fall-semester admission and by January 1 for spring-semester admission.

Notes

  • Students may enroll in ADS 320 (KU Design Symposium) without prior admission to the Minor in Design. Admission to the minor is prerequisite to enrollment in all other ADS courses.
  • Admission to the Minor in Design does not guarantee enrollment in courses required for the minor. Space in required courses is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Department of Design works carefully to build in capacity for our major and minor students to take their required courses, though we're unable to guarantee accommodation for all possible students in every semester.
  • Students whose primary interest is Photography should consider our Photography Minor!

For assistance with enrollment planning, please schedule an appointment with your academic advisor!

For assistance with questions regarding the Minor in Design curriculum, course availability, or other questions about the program, please contact our academic advisors!