Located in one of the major design cities and in one of the largest research universities in the U.S., the College of Design encompasses the full range of design disciplines at the University of Minnesota and is home to eight undergraduate degree programs, nine graduate degree programs, and ten research and outreach centers.

The faculty, students and staff in the college seek to advance the quality and value of the natural, designed, and social environments with an emphasis on sustainable, socially responsible, civically engaged, user-sensitive, critical and collaborative design work.

Our Mission

Through a unique commitment to creativity and advancing technologies, the College of Design at the University of Minnesota leads, innovates, and educates in the full range of design fields by researching ongoing and emerging issues, exploring new knowledge, and addressing and solving real-world problems; all while adhering to socially responsible, sustainable, and collaborative design thinking.

Our Vision

As one of the most comprehensive design colleges in the country, the College of Design will be the recognized leader in advancing transformative thinking and practice, and reinventing our disciplines and professions for a new century.

In order to prepare our students to confront the real challenges of our time, every College of Design graduate from the University of Minnesota will:
 

• Be able to apply design thinking as a way to address issues big and small confronting the local and world community
• Understand and be prepared for the social, environmental, and economic ramifications of each problem they address and every decision they make in their work
• Not only be able to conceive unique ideas, but be capable of implementing those ideas through actionable plans, projects, or strategies.