The School of Design is an inquisitive community of students and faculty that addresses firsthand the issues of the world around it.
We take pride in our professionally oriented programs, many of which have a long history at Syracuse University. We offer undergraduate degree programs in communications design, design studies, environmental and interior design, fashion design, and industrial and interaction design and graduate degree programs in design and museum studies. Concern for sustainable design practices, social issues, and excellence in professional practice forms the core of our programs.
100+
Years of design at Syracuse University
Learn from Industry Experts
Our faculty are active professionals who practice in their fields while they teach. They are dedicated to ensuring that you reach your potential and give you one-on-one instruction in your studio classes. Our school maintains a special relationship with the Syracuse community through the activities of our various student groups (including chapters of professional design organizations) that continually work on projects with not-for-profit agencies as well as funded research design collaborations.
Eight Floors Dedicated to Design
Our programs are housed in the Nancy Cantor Warehouse*, the University’s building in downtown Syracuse, which allows our students and faculty to benefit from a city atmosphere and interactions with local design firms. First-year design students may choose to live in our Design Learning Community, an academically and socially supportive residential environment on Main Campus.
We also encourage our students to reach beyond the local community and study abroad at one of the University’s many international centers, including Florence, Italy, and London, England.
Professionally Oriented Programs
Integral to our curricula are opportunities to acquire career development skills critical for professional designers. Professional practices are addressed in many of our courses, while visiting and resident designers provide unique insight into their respective disciplines. Internships provide invaluable experience in a real-world setting. Undergraduate students may choose to minor in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises, which includes coursework in essential business tools.
Design students present their portfolios each spring at events in New York City. Fashion design majors present their senior collections at the annual on-campus fashion show and may have their collections selected for the annual New York City fashion show.
Undergraduate Majors
- Communications Design B.F.A.
- Design Studies B.S.
- Environmental and Interior Design B.F.A.
- Fashion Design B.F.A.
- Industrial and Interaction Design B.I.D.
Graduate Degree Programs
- Design M.A. (This program is only open to School of Design undergraduates in B.S. or B.F.A. programs. Students apply in their junior year for admission into the program.)
- Design M.F.A.
- Museum Studies M.A.
Recent School of Design News
Faculty News
IID Professor Uses Biology to Design for the Future
Inspired by natural forms, processes and systems, Yves Michel, a professor of practice in industrial and interaction design in the School of Design, pushes the boundaries of what is possible in the world of design. Read More...
Featured News
College of Visual and Performing Arts Announces 2025 VPA Scholars
Twelve seniors in Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) have been named VPA Scholars, the college’s highest undergraduate academic honor. Read More...
Faculty News
VPA Inaugurates New Warehouse Gallery with ‘Overture: 2025 Faculty Survey’
The College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) at Syracuse University will inaugurate its new Warehouse Gallery with an exhibition celebrating the work of its faculty.
Opening Friday, Feb. 7, and on view through Monday, March 3, “Overture: 2025 Faculty Survey” features 26 faculty artists and designers who have received both national and international recognition for their thought-provoking work.
Read More...