College of Architecture, Art and Design Foundations Program

Foundations is a unique and rigorous program that introduces students to the fundamentals of design and prepares them for all fields of study that are offered in the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD).  Within the program, students are encouraged to develop a basic critical and practical understanding of design principals. Experimentation and exploration with materials, tools and techniques provides students with a strong background in basic design.

The program consists of two semesters of drawing studios that focus on free-hand observational drawing skills as well as measured, constructed drawing. In addition to drawing studios, students will take two semesters of design studios that explore ways of representing design ideas in two and three dimensions using compositional strategies and organizational explorations in a variety of both digital and analog media. In parallel to the studios, two semesters of architecture, art and design history provides students with a broad understanding of historical concepts and precedent that informs design ideas. Rounding out the foundations year with courses in writing and math, students are well prepared for their chosen major in design.

Philip Sheil
Director of Foundations