In Fall 2027, the UCLA Design Media Arts Department (DMA) will launch three distinct B.A. degree programs: Games, Design, and Computational Art. These three majors bring greater clarity to the curricular areas already central to the department while maintaining DMA’s interdisciplinary spirit and experimental approach to creative practice.

The UCLA Design major offers a distinctive approach to contemporary design by integrating visual communication, interaction design, creative technology, critical thinking, and material practice. Rooted in the fundamentals of design while responding to a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the program bridges graphic design, interface design, motion, creative coding, fabrication, publishing, spatial practice, and contemporary art. Students learn to work fluidly across physical and digital media, understanding design not simply as problem-solving or commercial production, but as a cultural, social, and artistic practice.

What distinguishes UCLA’s Design major is its expansive definition of design. The program emphasizes both conceptual and technical rigor, encouraging students to move between screen-based systems, physical making, networked media, and emerging technologies. Graduates will be prepared to innovate across a broad range of creative industries and experimental contexts.

Design has long been central to the Design Media Arts curriculum, where graphic design, interaction design, digital publishing, creative computation, and experimental media practices have evolved together within an arts-based environment. The Design major formalizes and expands this approach, positioning design as a dynamic field shaped by technological change, artistic experimentation, and critical inquiry.

The Design major for DMA is unique and distinct from existing programs in several ways:

<u>Design from an Expansive Arts Perspective:</u>
This major approaches design as a broad creative and cultural practice that spans graphic design, interface design, motion, publishing, spatial design, and emerging media. Rather than separating commercial, artistic, and technological practices, the program encourages students to experiment across disciplines and media.

<u>Technical, Artistic, and Conceptual Expertise Under One Major:</u>
The Design Media Arts Department at UCLA is uniquely positioned to offer a design major grounded equally in technical innovation, formal experimentation, and critical inquiry. Students develop fluency in design systems, creative software, prototyping, coding, digital fabrication, and visual communication while engaging deeply with the conceptual and cultural dimensions of design practice.

<u>Design Across Physical and Digital Media:</u>
Unlike programs focused primarily on interfaces or branding, UCLA’s Design major emphasizes work across both digital and physical forms. Students explore interaction design alongside print, installation, objects, fabrication, publishing, animation, and spatial practices, understanding how design operates across environments, platforms, and scales.

<u>Interdisciplinary and Technology-Forward Approach:</u>
The program integrates design with creative coding, media art, animation, AI, electronics, digital fabrication, and contemporary art practices. This interdisciplinary framework encourages students to explore how design intersects with emerging technologies and evolving forms of communication and creative production.

<u>Critical and Cultural Engagement:</u>
Beyond technical skills, the program encourages students to critically examine the social, political, and cultural impact of design. Students are challenged to think about how design shapes systems, identities, public experience, and access within contemporary life.

The UCLA Design major offers a distinctive approach by integrating art, technical craft, and critical inquiry while bridging graphic design, interaction design, creative technology, publishing, motion, fabrication, digital media, and contemporary art. This interdisciplinary framework sets UCLA’s Design major apart from conventional programs, preparing graduates to work across rapidly changing creative fields while developing original approaches to design practice in both commercial and experimental contexts.

The Design major begins with a rigorous lower-division course series that establishes technical, conceptual, historical and formal foundations in contemporary design practice. Courses introduce students to graphic design, typography, interaction design, digital image-making, motion, creative coding, media and design history and theory, and material processes for physical and digital production.

From this foundation, students pursue upper-division studio and theory courses focused on advanced design practices across digital and physical media. Electives allow students to deepen their interests in areas such as interface design, branding, motion graphics, publishing, creative technology, fabrication, spatial design, design research, networked media, and experimental art practices. The program culminates in a two-quarter Senior Capstone Project that supports independent research, experimentation, and portfolio development.

Most courses are taught as studios of no more than 20 students, encouraging individual growth, close faculty mentorship, and a strong sense of creative community within the department.

The Department of Design Media Arts accepts first year and transfer applications for Fall quarter only. Each applicant must complete the University of California Application and the DMA Undergraduate Supplemental Application, including a creative portfolio.

WHO CAN APPLY?
High school graduates
Students transferring from California community colleges or other accredited universities

How do I apply?
Admission to the Department of Design Media Arts is a two-step process.

Step 1
Students must complete the University of California Application and put Design Media Arts as their first choice major to UCLA.

Step 2
All applicants for the Design Media Arts major must also submit the DMA Undergraduate Supplemental Application in SlideRoom. Detailed information about the supplemental requirements and how to submit, can be found in the Important Documents section below.

Transfer Students

The Department of Design Media Arts emphasizes visual, audio, analytical theoretical, and technology-mediated work in design and media arts. This is typically a three-year program that fully integrates computers and other digital technology into the curriculum.

Admission to the Design Media Arts major is based on evidence of creative talent and academic achievement and is very competitive. The most important admission criteria is the supplemental application which requires a portfolio of creative work. While it may be beneficial to complete the courses listed below as recommended preparation, there is no guarantee they will transfer as exact UCLA equivalents. Substitutions for lower division requirements will be determined by the department in the summer following admission. Syllabi or other descriptive course documentation may be required for consideration.
Recommended (not required) preparation for the major: one course each in drawing, color theory, two-dimensional and three-dimensional form, digital media computer design, programming for media arts, letter forms and typography, design culture, and interactivity and media arts, and two courses in design history.

The department has prepared a help document for Transfer Students, to assist in identifying relevant coursework.
Non-UCLA students may also take DMA preparation for the major courses here at UCLA during Summer Sessions: https://summer.ucla.edu/.
Design Media Arts will consider sophomore transfers. For more information about admission criteria, please visit. https://www.uclaarts-admission.com/transfer-applicants

Change of Major

Students who wish to join the Design Media Arts major submit applications in Fall Quarter to start coursework in Spring Quarter. Change of major applications will be considered only for current UCLA students who have successfully completed at least one quarter at UCLA/a UC campus and are in good academic standing. Students may not apply for admission to Design Media Arts more than two times during their residency at UCLA. Previous coursework in Design Media Arts does not guarantee admission.

The Department prefers that students have fewer than 90 units at the time of application to ensure a normal degree completion time. Students with more than 121 units (excluding AP and Design Media Arts courses) will not be considered. The supplemental application is a critical consideration in the admission process. Supplements are reviewed by department faculty, graduate students, and select alumni.
Students who would like to change their major to add Design Media Arts as a major must attend a mandatory information sessions on one of the dates listed below. Please register through link on the date you will be attending. Info sessions are held in Fall quarter only and will be held on Zoom.
Design Media Arts Change of Major Information Sessions: TBD

When you are ready to apply, please use this link. Design Media Arts uses SlideRoom to collect Change of Major application materials. If you do not have a SlideRoom account, you will be prompted to sign up for one for free. There are no costs associated with applying for a Change of Major.

ESSENTIAL DATES FOR NEW STUDENTS
TBD

UC General Undergraduate Application due
TBD

DMA Undergraduate Supplemental Application due
TBD
If you are a new UCLA student and have questions about the application process, please email our Enrollment Management office at admissions@arts.ucla.edu or check out our resources at www.uclaarts-admission.com.

ESSENTIAL DATES FOR CHANGE OF MAJOR
TBD

Register as a Change of Major at: https://forms.gle/8CMdCwEnti3MdMj69
TBD

DMA Change of Major Application Due
If you are a current UCLA student and have questions about the Change of Major process, please contact Laura Young lyoung@arts.ucla.edu.