Bachelor of Fine Arts, 3D Design

The UI 3D design program has a very distinct curriculum that prepares students to work with a variety of design problems and project scales. Classes in product, furniture and interior design provide exposure to different technologies and crafts that lead to successful portfolios and job market preparedness.

Objects and furniture are always perceived and used in context with their environment. Understanding this relationship is crucial to effectively navigate the challenges imposed by the constant changes in technologies and society.

Participation in national and international exhibitions strengthen students’ ability to present their work and grant exposure to major design companies. Since 2013, 3D design has exhibited at: International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), New York; Sculpture Objects Functional Art and Design (SOFA) CONNECT, Chicago; Salone del Mobile SaloneSatellite and Ventura Future, Milan, Italy.

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3D design faculty encourage students to experiment, using a wide range of materials and approaches, integrating theory and conceptual thinking with hands-on making. The program values conceptual dexterity, sophisticated design, craftsmanship, the aesthetic quality of studio work and the meaning of social value. Intermediate and advanced courses involve intensive inquiry in furniture, bicycles, objects, fabrication, modeling and materials.

The problems-based curriculum enables students to both investigate the critical questions facing designers and makers today, and develop the sophisticated skills required by changing technologies and new materials. Our studio labs, some of the finest in North America, include Computer Modeling, Virtual Reality (VR) and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) equipment including router, plasma-cutter, water jet, laser-cutter, thermoforming and Rapid Prototyping (RP).

The "Iowa Idea" permeates the study of 3D design, wherein studio art, art history, and more broadly science and the humanities, are woven.

3D Design BFA Track 3D Design Two-Year Track

3D Design BFA Track

Required for all studio art majors

ARTS:1510 - Basic Drawing (3 semester hours)
ARTS:1520 - Design Fundamentals (3 semester hours)

Introductory courses

TDSN:2210 - Introduction to 3D Design: Objects + Furniture + Spaces (3 semester hours)
Prerequisites: ARTS:1510 and ARTS:1520

The following can be taken after any introductory course: CERM:2010 or DSGN:2500 or DRAW:2310 or INTM:2710 or MTLS:2910 or PHTO:2600 or PNTG:2410 or PRNT:2610 or SCLP:2810 or TDSN:2210.

TDSN:2240 - Drafting and Modeling with AutoCAD & Rhino (3 semester hours)
Software: AutoCAD, Rhino, Grasshopper
TDSN:2280 - Materials Tools and Fabrication: Wood + Metal + Composites (3 semester hours)

Intermediate courses

TDSN:3200 - Product Design (4 semester hours)
Lab Software: 3DS Max
TDSN:3220 - Interior Design (4 semester hours)
Lab Software: Revit & Unreal
TDSN:3230 - Color for Interior Design (4 semester hours)
Lab Software: 3DS Max
TDSN:3260 - Design for Production (4 semester hours)
Lab Software: 3DS Max
TDSN:3280 - Forms & Textiles (4 semester hours)
Lab Software: Rhino

The following can be taken after any introductory course: CERM:2010 or DSGN:2500 or DRAW:2310 or INTM:2710 or MTLS:2910 or PHTO:2600 or PNTG:2410 or PRNT:2610 or SCLP:2810 or TDSN:2210

TDSN:3010 - Introduction to Weaving (4 semester hours)
Lab Software: Weaving Software

Advanced courses

TDSN:4010 - Furniture Design (4 semester hours)
Lab Software: Fusion 360
TDSN:4020, Furniture Design (4 semester hours)
Lab Software: Rhino

Professional

TDSN:3305 - Portfolio and CV Workshop (0, 1, 2, 3 semester hours)
TDSN:4050 - Site Specific Design (1 semester hour)
Special permission required
TDSN:4190 - Honors in Studio Art (0, 1, 2, 3 semester hours)
This course has specific requirements
TDSN:4100 -Peer Assistant (1 semester hour)
Special permission required
URES:3994 - Undergraduate Research/Creative Project (1 semester hour)
Special permission required