BFA Environmental Design

Our Mission

Architecture (buildings), landscape (spaces between buildings), and interiors (spaces within buildings) organize and shape the contexts for all our activities and relations. Students in this multidisciplinary major study in one of its two Areas of Emphasis. The Architecture/Landscape/Interiors Area of Emphasis addresses all three of these spatial design fields within a single, integrated curriculum. The Interiors + Furniture Area of Emphasis focuses on the full material development of interior spaces that include custom cabinetry and complementary furniture. At the core of both Areas of Emphasis are six comprehensive studio courses that address potentially real-world projects sited in Los Angeles and other cities. Support courses address the materials and methods of building, landscape, and interior construction; physical and digital communication skills and media; and the history and theories of spatial design. Each year, Environmental Design seniors design and build a full-scale spatial environment in their final semester.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Graduates of Environmental Design will be able to:

• Produce three-dimensional spatial designs that address social, cultural, aesthetic, and utilitarian aspects of human occupation.
• Associate and apply design history and theory to develop and critically assess design solutions.
• Recognize and address human effects upon and sustainable use of the earth through designs for responsible architecture, landscapes, and interiors.
• Produce three-dimensional spatial designs that effectively and creatively incorporate fundamental structural considerations, structural systems and materials, and non- structural (finish) materials.
• Produce three-dimensional spatial designs that effectively and creatively incorporate principles of anthropometry, health, safety, and welfare.
• Create, analyze, and evaluate both physical and digital sketches, diagrams, orthographic drawings (plans, sections, elevations, paraline drawings), renderings, presentation boards, multi- page monographs, and three- dimensional models.
• Effectively compose and express ideas and information visually, verbally, and in writing.

Degree Requirements

All programs’ curricula are developed in response to Program Learning Outcomes, which signify what students learn within a degree program or emphasis area. All program learning outcomes respond to overarching Institutional Learning Outcomes. View the Product Design program learning outcomes here or request information.