As a fourth year Design Major at UC Davis, I’ve learned a lot throughout my time here. From having fulfilled all my major requirements, to working and participating in dozens of design and marketing-related organizations and jobs here on campus, I feel like I’ve been able to fully experience what the school has to offer for students within the field.
However, coming into UC Davis, I had little to no knowledge about the design classes and resources here at Davis. Unfortunately, Google searches trying to find more information about the major left me empty handed, and I ended up going into Davis extremely nervous, not really being able to visualize my four years here.
There are so many things that I wish I had known about when I first started my degree here. This being said, I wanted to provide a few tips and tricks as to what the design major here at Davis is all about, and what is offered!
- Try to take DES001-Introduction to Design during your first quarter here at Davis. I was warned by many advisors that this class fills up fast, and to say that this was true would be an understatement. Not only are there a limited number of seats in each discussion section offered, but by Pass Two most sections are completely filled.
Because this class is only offered once a quarter, and is a prerequisite for most design classes, I strongly suggest that you get the class over with during your first quarter here at Davis!
- Following the above, take the lower division prerequisite series (DES014/DES021, DES015, DES016) as soon as you can. Because these classes are the basis for most design fields here at Davis and focus on color and design theory, basically hand-drawing skills, and graphic design, I would recommend that people take these during your (first / second year here).
These classes are also required in order to take most upper division classes at Davis, so I’d definitely try to add these to your schedule as soon as possible so that you’re able to focus more on upper division classes that might align more with your intended emphasis!
- Get to know your professors! One great thing about the studio classes here at Davis is that there are only around 24 students in each section. These small, intimate class sizes allow ample opportunity for more one-on-one engagement with professors, getting feedback from them, and getting to know them personally.
Not only have I been able to improve on my design skills through one-on-one conversations and small group discussions, but I’ve also been able to form meaningful connections with many Design professors here at Davis.
- If you’re interested in getting more hands-on experience in the design field, visit https://vacancy.ucdavis.edu/ often to see what positions are potentially available to apply! ASUCD, or the ‘Associated Students of the University of California,’ houses many of the biggest units, commissions, and committees here at UC Davis, including but not limited to, Unitrans (our bus system), Entertainment Council (hosts Sunset Fest and Lawntopia, our two biggest on-campus concerts), Picnic Day, Student Government, etc.
Many of these units offer design and marketing positions that students can apply to, which allow students to gain more hands-on experience especially in specialties within the design field that you might be interested in pursuing!
- Take advantage of classes both within your intended major emphasis and outside of your comfort zone!
Because the Davis department requires a large number of upper division studio and history classes, many students (myself included) have had the opportunity to dive into classes that might have not exactly lined up with our intended emphasises.
For example, despite being a graphic design emphasis, I’ve been able to take classes like DES165 (Industrial Design), and DES171 (Fashion Drawing), both classes that I would have never even considered taking if not for the upper division studio requirement. Getting out of my comfort zone was hard, especially with so many talented students in the class, but it’s also taught me that designers are forever learners, and that it only takes one class to possibly lead you to a new direction of design. I’ve had the opportunity to become a peer tutor in DES171 and lead daily drawing fashion sketches with my class, which has truly opened my eyes to a new form of design media.
Being able to choose from many different studio classes and explore design areas of expertise that I wouldn’t have even thought about looking at has been extremely beneficial in allowing me to gain a holistic perspective of what design is and what possible career paths can be taken post-grad.
- Burnout and imposter syndrome is more common than you think among design/art majors.
Coming from a student that still struggles with both, being surrounded by talented creatives can sometimes cause students to feel inadequate or like they’re “not good enough.”
Healthy critique can be helpful for growth, however, also understanding that some students enter UC Davis having little to no experience in certain design subjects while other students already having interned or worked professionally in specific fields can be helpful to remember when you find yourself comparing your work to other people. At the end of the day, we’re all here at college to learn. Every designer has their own journey here at UC Davis, and learning and growing takes time and repetition!
Overall, the Davis Design Department can seem intimidating at first, but there are many ways that you can make your experience here seem worthwhile. From prioritizing certain classes to getting to know your professors and getting a more hands-on experience within your desired emphasis, Davis is set up to help you achieve your goals and ultimately the best version of yourself and your design work.
So what are you waiting for? Take that first step and embrace your unique designing experience as you enter the world of design here at UC Davis, and trust that your creativity will take you far! Get out there, and be the designer that you’ve always wanted to be here at UC Davis!
xoxo,
Joanne <3