Design is often understood as a profession. Increasingly, however, it is recognized as a powerful process — a way of thinking that can be applied across disciplines to navigate complexity and create meaningful change. The new Design Studies Minor, launching in Spring 2026, is built around harnessing the power of design as a process for creative problem solving.
The minor invites students from across the University to explore design not as a standalone track, but as a complementary capability that strengthens work in fields ranging from business and engineering to the social sciences and the arts. Through design-driven processes rooted in human-centered design and what is widely known as design thinking, students learn to frame complex problems, prototype solutions, and collaborate across disciplines.
Reflecting Boston College’s cross-disciplinary approach to innovation, the curriculum spans ethical design, social impact, information and communication design, design methods and implementation, and human-centered design. Rather than focusing solely on tools, the minor emphasizes process — how ideas are generated, tested, refined, and translated into real-world impact.
At its core, the Design Studies Minor prioritizes experiential learning. Students integrate classroom theory with prototyping resources such as The Hatchery Makerspaces, developing adaptive problem-solving skills and the ability to move from concept to implementation — building a portfolio of capabilities that complements disciplinary expertise and prepares them for leadership in a rapidly changing world.
Undergraduate students interested in learning more, including approved courses and declaration details, can visit dcc.bc.edu/experience.
