We encourage you to review our Design Calendar for more important information on courses and events.
Calendar Year
Term
Course #
Course Title
2024
F
gs/desn 5101A
Design, Theory and Criticism
This course takes as a basic tenet design's situatedness in a broad range of historical, cultural and social contexts, and draws on theories from a broad range of disciplines. Students are asked to explore these contexts through in-depth critical analyses of both textual and visual works, culminating in the production of an original piece of scholarship and/or creative output. Students will explore the design studio's implication in the conceptualisation and construction of normative users and viewers through a variety of lenses including design justice, disability and design, autonomous design, and the marginalised subject as a whole.
Instructional Format: SEMR
2024
W
gs/desn 5104M
User-centred Design Research Methods
This course introduces students to a range of user-centred methodologies and strategies for research in design. Students develop research questions, write a literature review and research proposal and have the opportunity to engage in the research process through discussion of readings, assigned projects, papers and presentations. Selected readings may vary with instructor but support the aims of the course.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): W. Wong
2025
W
gs/desn 5104M
User-centred Design Research Methods
This course introduces students to a range of user-centred methodologies and strategies for research in design. Students develop research questions, write a literature review and research proposal and have the opportunity to engage in the research process through discussion of readings, assigned projects, papers and presentations. Selected readings may vary with instructor but support the aims of the course.
Instructional Format: SEMR
2024
F
gs/desn 5107A
Disciplinary Research Methods in Design
Students explore various research methods with the goal of identifying a problem or issue that become the basis of a potential thesis topic. Students are expected to formulate a viable hypothesis, bibliography, and plan of action. This practice-based studio combines faculty-directed reading with assigned design projects. Selected readings may vary with instructor but continue to support the aims of the course.
Instructional Format: SEMR
2024
F
gs/desn 5108A
Design Studio: Culture and Criticism
Structured around disciplinary and cross-disciplinary inquiry, critical engagement and transformation of received knowledge, this studio course introduces students to graphic design practice as a mode of cultural engagement and criticism. This practice-based studio combines faculty-directed reading with assigned and student-defined design projects. Selected readings may vary with instructor but continue to support the aims of the course. Prerequisite: Registration in the Graduate Program in Design or permission from the Graduate Program Director.
Instructional Format: STDO
2024
W
gs/desn 5109M
Design Studio: Users and Information
Structured around user-centred strategies with information design as the intermediary between humans and their actions, this studio course introduces students to graphic design practice as a reflection of user-engaged production. This practice-based studio combines faculty-directed readings with assigned and student-defined projects. Selected readings may vary with instructor but will support the aims of the course. Prerequisite: GS/DESN 5108 3.0 or permission from the Graduate Program Director.
Instructional Format: STDO
Instructor(s): D. Gelb
2025
W
gs/desn 5109M
Design Studio: Users and Information
Structured around user-centred strategies with information design as the intermediary between humans and their actions, this studio course introduces students to graphic design practice as a reflection of user-engaged production. This practice-based studio combines faculty-directed readings with assigned and student-defined projects. Selected readings may vary with instructor but will support the aims of the course. Prerequisite: GS/DESN 5108 3.0 or permission from the Graduate Program Director.
Instructional Format: STDO
2024
F
gs/desn 5120A
Independent Study I
Students undertake individual studio projects or directed readings supervised by a faculty member, subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Director, and not available in current Design course offerings.
Instructional Format: ISTY
2024
W
gs/desn 5120M
Independent Study I
Students undertake individual studio projects or directed readings supervised by a faculty member, subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Director, and not available in current Design course offerings.
Instructional Format: ISTY
2025
W
gs/desn 5120M
Independent Study I
Students undertake individual studio projects or directed readings supervised by a faculty member, subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Director, and not available in current Design course offerings.
Instructional Format: ISTY
2024
F
gs/desn 5121A
Independent Study II
Students undertake individual studio projects or directed readings supervised by a faculty member, subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Director, and not available in current Design course offerings.
Instructional Format: ISTY
2024
W
gs/desn 5121M
Independent Study II
Students undertake individual studio projects or directed readings supervised by a faculty member, subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Director, and not available in current Design course offerings.
Instructional Format: ISTY
2025
W
gs/desn 5121M
Independent Study II
Students undertake individual studio projects or directed readings supervised by a faculty member, subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Director, and not available in current Design course offerings.
Instructional Format: ISTY
2024
F
gs/desn 5122A
Collaborative Inquiry in Design
Two or more students can initiate a collaborative studio project or organize a seminar supervised by a faculty member, subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Director, and not available in current Design course offerings.
Instructional Format: ISTY
2024
W
gs/desn 5122M
Collaborative Inquiry in Design
Two or more students can initiate a collaborative studio project or organize a seminar supervised by a faculty member, subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Director, and not available in current Design course offerings.
Instructional Format: ISTY
2025
W
gs/desn 5122M
Collaborative Inquiry in Design
Two or more students can initiate a collaborative studio project or organize a seminar supervised by a faculty member, subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Director, and not available in current Design course offerings.
Instructional Format: ISTY
2024
W
gs/desn 5401M
Histories of Designed Things
Histories of Designed Things introduces Design students to the key debates and transdisciplinary research methods that inform contemporary approaches to the study of historical designed objects. Drawing on research in critical design studies and related disciplines, the course explores the multiple histories of designed objects and the roles they play in our everyday lives. Integrated with FA/DESN 4103 elective.
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): J. Hadlaw
2025
W
gs/desn 5401M
Histories of Designed Things
Histories of Designed Things introduces Design students to the key debates and transdisciplinary research methods that inform contemporary approaches to the study of historical designed objects. Drawing on research in critical design studies and related disciplines, the course explores the multiple histories of designed objects and the roles they play in our everyday lives. Integrated with FA/DESN 4103 elective.
Instructional Format: LECT
2024
F
gs/desn 5402A
Unpacking the Interface
This course takes as its primary subject of interrogation the interface, defined broadly. Students will be presented with a series of lenses through which they might understand the inherent power and privilege exercised through the design of a given interface. This course is meant to supplement students' concurrent work to design the interfaces that will define our world to come. Integrated with FA/DESN 4102 3.0.
Instructional Format: LECT
2024
F
gs/desn 5403A
Advanced Topics in Interaction Design
An advanced investigation into systems intuitive and learned that support human activities via interactive communication and distribution networks. An understanding of these communication/distribution methods working in reciprocal fashion from users to the computer and back, is presented.
Instructional Format: STDO
2024
F
gs/desn 5407A
Branding and Identity Systems
This course focuses on the design of a corporate identity system for an organization. The system will involve the design of graphic identifiers, typography, selected applications and supporting documents.
Instructional Format: STDO
2025
W
gs/desn 5407M
Branding and Identity Systems
This course focuses on the design of a corporate identity system for an organization. The system will involve the design of graphic identifiers, typography, selected applications and supporting documents.
Instructional Format: STDO
2024
W
gs/desn 5407M
Branding and Identity Systems
This course focuses on the design of a corporate identity system for an organization. The system will involve the design of graphic identifiers, typography, selected applications and supporting documents.
Instructional Format: STDO
Instructor(s): P. Sych
2025
W
gs/desn 5408M
Data Visualization Design
Explores the affordances of both print and digital media for the application of information design principles and methodologies introduced and developed in earlier courses. This course takes an intra-disciplinary (print, interactivity, time based, environmental) approach to researching and developing a comprehensive presentation of a site to be determined by each section.
Instructional Format: STDO
2024
F
gs/desn 5411A
East Asian Design History in Transnational Perspectives
Examines the evolution of modern design in East Asia, from its early Western influences to its interaction with traditional East Asian cultures and Western modernism. It explores the adaptation, practice, theory, and discourse of design in the region, fostering a transnational and interdisciplinary understanding of design in the globalized era. Integrated with undergraduate course FA/DESN4101 3.0.
Instructional Format: ONLN
2024
W
gs/desn 5411M
East Asian Design History in Transnational Perspectives
This blended, web-enhanced course focuses on the history of twentieth century East Asian design and material culture in the contemporary context of globalization in transnational perspectives. In East Asia, the development of modern design histories began with cultural translation through Western culture in the late nineteenth century. The term design itself raises complex questions that are currently under investigation, reflecting an interest in cultural translation and transnational studies within postcolonial studies. This course will explore how modern design in East Asia has been adapted, practiced, theorized and discussed as an interactive process between heritage rich cultures of East Asia and modernism in the West. We will examine the terminology of design in the East Asian context, key designers and their works, movements, and definitions and developments-oriental modernity, nationalism and political ideology-within regional and international design frameworks. Through this examination, students will explore the significance of the connections between design artefacts and everyday life. This course will stimulate a transnational and interdisciplinary understanding of material culture in the age of globalization by reflecting on the past, present and future of East Asian design.
Instructional Format: BLEN
Instructor(s): W. Wong
2024
F
gs/desn 5413A
Publication Design
Introduces complex long text document typographic systems for page and screen. Using the design of books, magazines, newspapers, 'zines, or other forms of publication, this course explores how typography behaves across media. Covers grid structures, comprehensive style sheets, and complex compositional structures. Students learn more advanced features of software for typography and build compelling projects working with multi-layered information. Emphasis is on developing a self-directed narrative that communicates and effectively integrates typography using ebooks, tablet or print. Integrated with FA/DESN 4002 3.0.
Instructional Format: STDO
2024
W
gs/desn 5413M
Publication Design
Introduces complex long text document typographic systems for page and screen. Using the design of books, magazines, newspapers, 'zines, or other forms of publication, this course explores how typography behaves across media. Covers grid structures, comprehensive style sheets, and complex compositional structures. Students learn more advanced features of software for typography and build compelling projects working with multi-layered information. Emphasis is on developing a self-directed narrative that communicates and effectively integrates typography using ebooks, tablet or print. Integrated with FA/DESN 4002 3.0.
Instructional Format: STDO
Instructor(s): P. Sych
2025
W
gs/desn 5413M
Publication Design
Introduces complex long text document typographic systems for page and screen. Using the design of books, magazines, newspapers, 'zines, or other forms of publication, this course explores how typography behaves across media. Covers grid structures, comprehensive style sheets, and complex compositional structures. Students learn more advanced features of software for typography and build compelling projects working with multi-layered information. Emphasis is on developing a self-directed narrative that communicates and effectively integrates typography using ebooks, tablet or print. Integrated with FA/DESN 4002 3.0.
Instructional Format: STDO
2024
F
gs/desn 5423A
Social Media Strategies
Examines the role of social media in shaping communications from a technical and social perspective. Through a critical lens, students will navigate social media's evolution and the impact on practices in everyday life. Additionally, this course will examine the role of social media as an entrepreneurial activity in the arts. Integrated with FA/DESN 4123 3.0.
Instructional Format: LECT
2025
W
gs/desn 5603M
Race and Gender in Digital Technology
In recent years corporate leaders, government officials, and media pundits have portrayed the western restructured socioeconomic near-future as a 'digital' one, forefronting the centrality of digital technology and the digitization of information to the social, economic, and political changes currently sweeping Canada, as well as the rest of the OECD. In this course, we will examine the ways in which race and gender manifest in the discourses, policy decisions and representations of digital technology in Canada.
Instructional Format: SEMR
2024
W
gs/desn 5603M
Race and Gender in Digital Technology
In recent years corporate leaders, government officials, and media pundits have portrayed the western restructured socioeconomic near-future as a 'digital' one, forefronting the centrality of digital technology and the digitization of information to the social, economic, and political changes currently sweeping Canada, as well as the rest of the OECD. In this course, we will examine the ways in which race and gender manifest in the discourses, policy decisions and representations of digital technology in Canada.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): R. Singh
For more information on our course offerings, please go to the York Course Website.
Learn More
The Graduate Program in Design at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Student Program Assistant to learn more.