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
Recent School of Design News
Featured News
College of Visual and Performing Arts Students Win at 2024 Ideas Fest
Two College of Visual and Performing Arts students—a fashion design major in the School of Design and a music industry major in the Setnor School of Music—recently won at the Blackstone LaunchPad 2024 Ideas Fest. Read More...
Featured News
Design Students Receive Honors at Creative Conscience Awards
Tackling social and environmental issues through design, College of Visual and Performing Arts students in Creative Problem Solving (DES 324) won an award and commendation in the global Creative Conscience Awards. Read More...
Featured News
College of Visual and Performing Arts’ Syracuse Immersion Showcases Local Success, Career Paths for Students
College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) first-year and transfer students explored careers and interacted with local alumni, employers, and industry professionals throughout the Syracuse area on Friday, Sept. 27. Read More...