SAIC Designed Objects (MDDO) Brochure

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Designed Objects

saic.edu/desob

The Master of Design in Designed Objects program encourages practitioners to challenge the boundaries of design and explore new territory. Students gain the critical skills to translate new ideas into meaningful objects, systems, environments, and experiences.

Exploration and experimentation

The carefully sequenced, course-based curriculum immerses students in both critical and technical skills, challenging them to invent, experiment and reimagine as they develop their individual voices as designers. By providing open platforms for rigorous thinking and making, the program presents students with a creative and intellectual context in which the materiality, agency, utility, and poetic potential of objects are studied and explored. A series of core studios, supported by seminars and technical labs, conclude with the public presentation of a year-long thesis project.

Multi-dimensional approach

Throughout the program, the focus is on reimagining the objects and systems that populate our daily lives. The program fosters an expansive understanding of the object, drawing from product, industrial, experience, and systems design and design futures. Students are encouraged to pursue classes in other disciplines across SAIC, as well as Designed Objects external partnerships.

Professional experience and outcomes

External partnerships and course offerings like Whatnot Studio, SAIC Design & Homan Square, and Emerging Worlds Studio—year-long thematic courses in which students design, prototype and bring relevant work for public exhibition to venues such as SxSW, The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), and public engagements in Chicago— provide extensive professional experience. Program alums have attained success in a diverse range of careers, including industrial and furniture design, user experience design, design futures, design research and strategy, design education, emerging technologies, and independent design practice.

For more information on the program and application requirements, please visit: saic.edu/desob

Abdullah Al Salem Essence, 2023

Fine arts alternative

Students may opt to pursue the Master of Fine Arts in Studio, Designed Objects. This program is intended for students with previous experience and a strong portfolio in three-dimensional design. The tutorial structure of the MFA in Designed Objects allows students to pursue independently directed projects while working one-to-one with faculty advisors.

The Sullivan Fabrication Studio

This dedicated fabrication workshop has a full range of hand tools and industrial wood- and metalworking machines.

• Material sales center with sheet goods, hardwoods, plastics, foam, etc.

• 2 CNC routers (4’× 8’ Highspeed)

• Vacuum thermo-former

• Power tools, including a jointer, planer, mortiser, drill press, lathe, table saws, band saws, and sanders

• Tools for soft construction, including sewing machines, plastic casting, and interactive electronics

• Mold-making facility with dust collection, fume extractor, and vacuum chamber

• Large, high-flow paint and finishing hood

• On-site materials library

• Dedicated workspace in large, open-plan communal studios

Curriculum Requirements

First Summer Intensive

› DESOB 5050 Refresh: Summer Intensive (6)

First Year Fall

› DESOB 5150 Studio 1: Reset (3)

› DESOB 5152 Research Methods Lab (3)

› DESOB 5164 Material Intelligence Studio Seminar (3)

› ARTHI 5120 Survey of Modern and Contemporary Arch. and Design (3)

› Elective (3)

First Year Spring

› DESOB 5160 Studio 2: Discover (6)

› DESOB 5162 Prototyping Methods Lab (3)

› ARTHI 6120 Critical Issues in Designed Objects (3)

› Elective (3)

Second Year Fall

› DESOB 6150 Thesis Studio 1: Initiate (6)

› DESOB 6152 Material Futures Studio Seminar (3)

› Art History Elective (3)

› Elective or Internship (3)

Second Year Spring

› DESOB 6160 Thesis Studio 2: Manifest (6)

› DESOB 6162 Positioning Methods Lab (3)

› Electives (3)

› Electives (3)

› Participation in four Graduate Critiques

GIONATA GATTO

ERIC HOTCHKISS

TIM PARSONS

JIM TERMEER

For complete faculty listing visit: saic.edu/desob

Application Deadline: January 10

› Résumé Faculty

› Participation in Graduate Design Exhibition

Total Credit Hours

Application Process

Submit:

› Online application

› Official college transcripts

› Statement of purpose

› Letters of recommendation

› ePortfolio

6

15

15

15

15

66

Satori Ishihara, Fumi-yume (photo by Jonathan Allen)
Omer Alraee, Confers
Haoran Yu, whatwater (photo by Jonathan Allen)

The Advanced Output Center

Students have access to a fully equipped printing and prototyping lab, including:

• 120w laser cutters

• 3D printers, including machines that use PLA, ASA, and acrylic-like resin as building material

• 3D scanners, including Artec Eva, Handyscan, and NextEngine

• Flatbed and large format scanners

Graduate Admissions 36 South Wabash Avenue, suite 1201 Chicago, IL 60603

Phone 312.629.6100 / 800.232.7242

gradmiss@saic.edu

For application requirements, visit saic.edu/desob

Jackson Schorer, MER weighted blanket (photo by Jonathan Allen)

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