The mission of the College of Design-as approved by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, upon the college's establishment in October 1977-was derived from the historic evolution of the design disciplines and the visual arts at Iowa State University. The regents' action represented the consolidation of existing art and professional design programs-previously housed in the Colleges of Agriculture, Engineering, and Home Economics (now Human Sciences)-into one College of Design. The mission approved in 1977 remains applicable today:

• To provide an organization for direct interaction among students, faculty and professionals involved in all aspects of the visual arts, design and the planning of structures, communities and environments;
• To improve educational opportunities for the increasing number of young people entering programs in the design professions;
• To provide opportunities for all students in the university to undertake studies in art, design and the built environment;
• To foster creative thought, scholarship and research on an interdisciplinary basis as well as on an individual basis;
• To serve as a design resource for the university, the community and the state.

The college has since expanded the scope of this basic mission by acknowledging the importance of its leadership and distinction in programs and pedagogy, and as a design resource at national and international levels.

 

In support of the larger university mission and vision, and in furtherance of its own founding charter, the College of Design has adopted the following aspirations:

• To secure national distinction as a strongly identifiable, unified academic community built upon the collegial interchange among the diverse strengths of its people and their professional design and art disciplines.
• To create distinguished scholarship by promoting discovery and innovation within its disciplines, selected cross-disciplinary concentrations, and advanced study.
• To share its liberal and professional educational programs to enhance the learning opportunities for the university community, professional constituencies, alumni and consumers of design everywhere.
• To apply its knowledge and talent with its many constituents, enriching the intellectual environment of the university community, and improving the visual and experiential environment of state, national and global communities by addressing the interwoven issues of social and economic development, environmental stewardship, community design, preservation and growth.