CoAD's student advising page is a collection of resources for students to use as they design their pathway to graduation. It highlights current elective courses and other forms related to advising. For more information or questions please speak to your academic advisor.
Spring 2025
ART3993 Special Topics: Scanographs: Experimental photographic processes with Tryst Mallette
Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-10:50am ON CAMPUS.
There are many ways to create evocative images - the use of a camera is not always necessary. One way to create quality images is through the use of a scanner. Scanning is an effective and precise way to digitally render physical images or objects into brilliant photographs, with remarkable detail and vivid color. In this course, we will use the scanner as a means of creating experimental images through different types of materials and exploring motion, layering, color, texture, and narrative in representational spaces.
Prereq/Restrictions: Sophomore, Junior or Senior
Recommended: Previous lens/camera experience is expected.
Recommended: Previous lens/camera experience is expected.
DES3993 Special Topics: Concept Design with Ngianhormua Yang
Monday and Wednesday 5:10-7:00 pm ON CAMPUS
In this course, students will investigate, examine, and apply digital visual communication techniques commonly utilized within the videogame industry to their own areas of interest. This course aims to cultivate an understanding of external communication processes while emphasizing the analysis and practical implementation of these techniques. Through a blend of practical projects and discussions, students will develop valuable skills to enhance visual communication effectiveness in their chosen fields.
Prereq/Restrictions: Sophomore, Junior or Senior
Recommended: Foundation visual communication completed and Photoshop knowledge.
Recommended: Foundation visual communication completed and Photoshop knowledge.
DES3993 Special Topics: Storytelling with Jessica Jordan
Wednesday and Friday 9:30 - 10:45am. HYBRID: ON CAMPUS/REMOTE.
Stories are what make us human, and drive us to act on our ambitions. Storytelling is a powerful tool that influences how we learn, helps us right moral wrongs, and build connections with each other. The primary goal of this course is to explore the different ways to tell stories, including our own. The second goal is to understand the science behind storytelling and how our brains are hardwired for stories. Finally, the course will culminate in applying these methods to your work in design: what is the best tool for you to tell the story of your work in a way that resonates with customers and stakeholders, and inspires them to act? Class meetings include a mix of lecture, discussion, and collaborative group activities to test theories and techniques first hand.
Prereq/Restrictions: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
ARI3993 Special Topics: Tiny Houses
Tuesday and Thursday 2:00-4:40 pm. ON CAMPUS.
This Special Topics is focused on a full design process for living in spaces of 500 square feet or less. Great design is in the details and this class addresses the latest sustainable materials and technology to build an energy efficient tiny home from predesign to interior materials, finishes, multi-use furniture, fixtures and equipment. The class is particularly timely as Michigan has developed laws and building code requirements for tiny homes and many cities are welcoming their development. The elective is focused on Interior Design majors but would be a great option for Architecture students wanting to flush out their knowledge of interior residential content. (this is running under Interior Architecture rather than Interior Design but will count towards a CoAD elective).
Prereq/Restrictions: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
Recommended: Interiors or Architecture is highly recommended.
Recommended: Interiors or Architecture is highly recommended.
ARC4843/5053 BIM for Programming and Prototyping with Roan Isaku
Thursday 7:10 - 10:25pm ONLINE
Introduction to methods of inputting and manipulating information in BIM through parametric and visual programming, and methods of materializing BIM information through rapid prototyping and digital fabrication. The implications of BIM workflows on the practice of building design and construction are explored.
Prereq/Restrictions: BIM Fundamentals
ARC4993/6003 Special Topics: Rome-ing Around with Sara Codarin and Karl Daubmann
The Grand Tour was the international travel undertaken to finish off one’s education in the period between the mid-17th century and the end of the 18th century. At the time travel was expensive and laborious and as a result the Grand Tour was an exclusive activity for the English aristocracy. The Grand Tour typically included Paris and Rome with many other destinations along the way and could last for multiple years. It was an opportunity to immerse oneself in another culture and experience it first-hand. Now we have the opportunity to visit Rome for six days. Rome is known as the Eternal City and has a complex history with almost 3,000 years layered upon itself. Rome is not a museum but a thriving city with just under 3 million inhabitants. We will experience the city not as a singular entity but a palimpsest of urban, architectural and artistic elements that exist side by side.
All designers benefit from experiencing cities, buildings, spaces, and culture. International travel allows designers to gain empathy by being in another culture and to practice intense observational skills. Within the walls of Rome we will visit Ancient Roman sites, Baroque churches, Fascist government buildings, modern contemporary Italian buildings, and a range of art and sculptures. A few introductory sessions will occur before departure to highlight and prepare for the trip. Students will be required to prepare for an on-site presentation to the group (while in Rome) and to develop a travel sketchbook to document the travel experiences.
All designers benefit from experiencing cities, buildings, spaces, and culture. International travel allows designers to gain empathy by being in another culture and to practice intense observational skills. Within the walls of Rome we will visit Ancient Roman sites, Baroque churches, Fascist government buildings, modern contemporary Italian buildings, and a range of art and sculptures. A few introductory sessions will occur before departure to highlight and prepare for the trip. Students will be required to prepare for an on-site presentation to the group (while in Rome) and to develop a travel sketchbook to document the travel experiences.
ARC4993/5683 Design Ethics with Ed Orlowski
Wednesday 7:10 - 9:50pm ONLINE
Provides an exposure to the primary topics in design ethics including a background in moral reasoning and responsibility. Discussion of core values in ethics, justice, equity, representation, and duty. Concepts of applied ethics as broadly related to the design professions in applied arts, interior design, game art, architecture and the built environment.
Prereq/Restrictions: May not be enrolled as a Freshman
ARC4993/5683 History of Urban Form with Anirban Adhya
Tuesday 7:10 - 9:50pm ONLINE
The course will offer a historic morphological study of cities across history and geography. The course will primarily examine European and North American cities under the following headings: Ancient and Classic, Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque, Modern (nineteenth and twentieth centuries), and Post-modern (twenty-first century). Cities of Asia, Africa, and Latin America will also be investigated where applicable to learn non-western urban traditions. Specific topics will include origins and evolution of urban form, theories about urban form, and reasons and factors behind specific physical structure of the city. The course will concentrate on (1) the transformation of the nineteenth-century city and its organization, (2) the development of the twentieth century industrial city, and (3) pluralistic forms of current twenty-first century post-industrial city. It analyzes current issues of city form in relation to placemaking, social structure, and physical design. Case studies of several cities will be presented as examples of the theories discussed in the class.
Prereq/Restrictions: May not be enrolled as a Freshman
ARC4993/5243 3 Credits Public Interest Design with Sarah Bartz
Thursday 7:10-9:50pm ONLINE
This course aims to expand the discipline of architecture by challenging the traditional definition and boundaries of the profession of architecture, and by exploring alternative design practices. The course will consist of a series of seminars where students will investigate the background, types, benefits, goals, theories, principles, methods, and values of public interest design practices and research (PIDPR); and a workshop where students will propose alternative practice models through real-world application, collaboration with local stakeholders, and global PID online exchange forums.
Prereq/Restrictions: May not be enrolled as a Freshman