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College of Design

Interdisciplinary Studios

Student presenting homelessness project

Where process takes center stage

A longstanding College of Design tradition, interdisciplinary studios are the original sandbox for innovative, multidisciplinary explorations in design.

Every spring semester, the college offers approximately 15 advanced, project-based studios (DSNS 5460 courses) that examine diverse themes in the built environment, design, and the arts. They provide 250 to 300 students from all College of Design majors an opportunity to engage in different challenges, different scales, and different patterns of work. These studios, which are often co-taught by faculty from different departments, are open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Many interdisciplinary studio topics align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Current Studios

Explore the interdisciplinary studios that were available to students for the Spring 2025 semester.

Past interdisciplinary studio opportunities

These unique studios offer immersive experiences where students from various design disciplines collaborate to tackle pressing global challenges. Some of the courses are centered around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, empowering students to explore innovative solutions in real-world contexts.

In these dynamic studios, participants engage in hands-on projects that promote teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking. With a focus on sustainability and community impact, students have the opportunity to develop and implement design strategies that address today’s most pressing issues.

College of Design student researching.

A Cyclone in the Making

Find your place at Iowa State University’s College of Design, where we like to ask questions, poke and prod, create something new, and make a difference through design.