Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design

Bachelor of Science in Comprehensive Design

Students on Summer 2018, Fall 2018, or Spring 2019 requirements CMPDSGNBS

View Degree MapA semester-by-semester path to completing degree and major requirements

Requirements

The major requires at least 47 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.

Creative Core.
1. Pathways. One (1) course:
  - SOAD-A 100 Pathways: Introduction to Art, Design and Merchandising
  SOAD-A 100 Pathways: Introduction to Art, Design and Merchandising
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Explores the fields of art, design, and merchandising within the contemporary landscape of creating and making. Identifies where these disciplines have mutually reinforcing values and opportunities for interdisciplinary study. Provides a common experience for art, design and merchandising students.
  Summer 2025CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE AHcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
2. Color. One (1) course:
  - SOAD-A 101 Creative Core: Color
  SOAD-A 101 Creative Core: Color
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Explores color's fundamental principles and formal elements; its contextual meanings and sociological connotations; and its significance within the fields of art, design and merchandising. Cultivates visual sensitivity, develops aesthetic knowledge and the production of creative work through studio practices.
  Repeatability
  Credit given for only one of SOAD-A 101 or FINA-F 102.
  Summer 2025CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE AHcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
3. Cross-Disciplinary Workshops. Complete the following course two (2) times:
  - SOAD-A 211 Cross-Disciplinary Workshops in Art, Design, and Merchandising
  SOAD-A 211 Cross-Disciplinary Workshops in Art, Design, and Merchandising
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  A variable topic studio course that focuses on skill development and technical manipulation of materials within the specific traditions of a particular discipline. Emphasizes fundamental principles of art and design within a discipline. Designed around a variable topic such as image, time, narrative, space, materials, and markets.
  Repeatability
  May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum total of 12 credit hours in SOAD-A 111 and SOAD-A 211.
  Summer 2025CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE AHcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
Forums of Exchange.
1. Intermediate Forums. Complete the following course two (2) times:
  - SOAD-A 201 Forum of Exchange I
  SOAD-A 201 Forum of Exchange I
  
  Credits
  1
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Interdisciplinary experiences serve as the foundation for discussion and written/verbal responses. Students select from a range of activities including lectures, cross-critiques, site visits, interviews, class visits, museum exhibitions, and performances to observe, question and compare art, design and merchandising disciplines.
  Repeatability
  May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credit hours.
  Grading
  S/F grading.
2. Advanced Forums. Complete the following course four (4) times:
  - SOAD-A 401 Forum of Exchange II
  SOAD-A 401 Forum of Exchange II
  
  Credits
  1
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Interdisciplinary experiences in art, design and merchandising serve as the foundation for discussion and written/verbal responses. Students select from a range of activities including lectures, cross-critiques, site visits, interviews, class visits and selected exhibitions.
  Repeatability
  May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credit hours.
  Grading
  S/F grading.
Art History.
- Two (2) ARTH-A courses at the 300–499 level
Comprehensive Design Sequence. Eight (8) courses:
- SOAD-C 181 Design: Creative Revolution
- SOAD-C 280 Introduction to Comprehensive Design
- SOAD-C 380 Topical Issues in Comprehensive Design
- SOAD-C 381 Topical Issues in Collaborative Design
- SOAD-C 480 Special Problems in Comprehensive Design
- SOAD-C 481 Intensive Seminar in Comprehensive Design
- SOAD-D 304 Critical Theory, Writing and Thinking for the Studio Practice
- SOAD-X 373 Internship in Professional Practice
SOAD-C 181 Design: Creative Revolution
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Introduction to comprehensive design: design formed by the cross pollination between artistic and design processes. Introduces examples of comprehensive design as they form within the entity of the city and as they take form within objects of design (e.g. clothing, furniture, architecture, automobiles). Also introduces students to methods and approaches in 2D and 3D design execution.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of AMID-C 181 or SOAD-C 181.
- Summer 2025CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE AHcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
SOAD-C 280 Introduction to Comprehensive Design
Credits
3
Prerequisites
SOAD-A 103, SOAD-A 104, or consent of instructor
Description
Focuses on skill building across the spectrum of modalities: drawing, physical model building, and 3D modeling. Uses human-centered design strategies to explore how human perceptions and activities affect design decisions.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of AMID-C 280 or SOAD-C 280.
- Summer 2025CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE AHcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
SOAD-C 380 Topical Issues in Comprehensive Design

Credits
3
Prerequisites
SOAD-C 280; or consent of instructor
Description
Focuses on the combination of empathy, creativity, and rationality needed to understand the context of a problem and develop solutions that fit the particular context.
Repeatability
May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 8 credit hours in AMID-C 380 and SOAD-C 380.

SOAD-C 381 Topical Issues in Collaborative Design

Credits
1–4 credit hours
Prerequisites
SOAD-C 380; or consent of instructor
Description
Employs design thinking strategies to understand challenges facing a community partner. The class will then focus on a co-design participatory approach, with project partners to offer solutions to the project. Classes may partner with regional organizations and companies.
Repeatability
May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 8 credit hours in AMID-C 381 and SOAD-C 381.

SOAD-C 480 Special Problems in Comprehensive Design

Credits
3
Prerequisites
SOAD-C 381; or consent of instructor
Description
Leverages a unique combination of design thinking and strategic planning to design, prototype and test solutions to real problems faced by communities, businesses, individuals, and organizations. Provides opportunity to act as a consultant for a real client to design and propose a strategic plan, implement accepted plans, and evaluate the impact of the solution.
Repeatability
May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 6 credit hours in AMID-C 480 and SOAD-C 480.

SOAD-C 481 Intensive Seminar in Comprehensive Design

Credits
3
Prerequisites
SOAD-C 380; or consent of instructor
Description
Provides opportunities to engage in the research, testing, and prototyping required for larger scale projects. Completed projects may range from public art to installations to furniture design. Includes discussions of materiality, fabrication, form, use, and structure as part of design and fabrication.

SOAD-D 304 Critical Theory, Writing and Thinking for the Studio Practice

Credits
3
Prerequisites
Completion of the English composition requirement
Description
Introduction to critical writings and writing on the subject of art and design and critical analysis of art and design.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of AMID-D 304 or SOAD-D 304.

SOAD-X 373 Internship in Professional Practice

Credits
1–3 credit hours
Prerequisites
Consent of department. For retailing, merchandising, and fashion design experience, one course from SOAD-A 100, SOAD-M 209, AMID-R 100, or AMID-R 209; for interior design experience, SOAD-D 272 or AMID-D 272
Description
Provides SOAD majors an off-campus supervised and coordinated career-work experience in a cooperating business, a consumer agency, or other related fields.
Repeatability
May be repeated up to 3 times for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
Grading
S/F grading.
Immersive Design Experience. Complete a semester-long immersive design experience such as supervised studio work and independent study with a distinguished designer in residence, participation in an IU-approved/sponsored Study Abroad Program, a full-time design-related internship in the private sector, or a semester in residence at IUCA+D in Columbus.
Capstone. Complete the following course two (2) times and for a total of four (4) credit hours:
- SOAD-X 490 Independent Study in Interior Design
SOAD-X 490 Independent Study in Interior Design

Credits
1–3 credit hours
Prerequisites
SOAD-D 170; and 6 additional credit hours in interior design (SOAD-D); and consent of instructor
Description
Review, discussion, and evaluation of current trends and issues in interior design; analysis of research.
Repeatability
May be repeated up with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
1. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
2. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300–499 level.
3. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the major.
4. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the major—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
5. Exceptions to major requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Bachelor of Science degree requires at least 120 credit hours, to include the following:

College of Arts and Sciences Credit Hours. At least 100 credit hours must come from College of Arts and Sciences disciplines.
Upper Division Courses. At least 36 credit hours (of the 120) must be at the 300–499 level.
College Residency. Following completion of the 60th credit hour toward degree, at least 36 credit hours of College of Arts and Sciences coursework must be completed through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
College GPA. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.000 is required for all courses taken at Indiana University.
CASE Requirements. The following College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE) requirements must be completed:
1. CASE Foundations
  1. English Composition: 1 course
  2. Mathematical Modeling: 1 course
2. CASE Breadth of Inquiry
  1. Arts and Humanities: 4 courses
  2. Natural and Mathematical Sciences: 4 courses
  3. Social and Historical Studies: 4 courses
3. CASE Culture Studies
  1. Diversity in the United States: 1 course
  2. Global Civilizations and Cultures: 1 course
4. CASE Critical Approaches: 1 course
5. CASE Foreign Language: Proficiency in a single foreign language through the first semester of the second year of college-level coursework
6. CASE Intensive Writing: 1 course
7. CASE Public Oral Communication: 1 course
Major. Completion of the major as outlined in the Major Requirements section above.

Most students must also successfully complete the Indiana University Bloomington General Education program.