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Preparing for the Major
We are excited for your interest in the Design major! There are a few different ways we recommend you prepare for the major and explore if it is right for you.
Take Introductory Design Courses:
DESIGN 1 and DESIGN 11 are great classes to start exploring design principles and get an early sense for our major. Should you declare, each of these courses are required and serve as prerequisites for more advanced core classes.
Take SoE Courses (Consider the Calculus Series Especially):
An essential aspect of our Design program is that we are rooted in the School of Engineering. Engineering Breath requirements are foundational to the degree. We recommend taking some allowed SoE breadth courses ahead of declaring to help determine if our degree is something you want to dedicate pursuing.
Connect with a Peer Advisor:
One of the best resources to learn about our major is from the experiences of our current students! Peer Advisors especially are knowledgeable, passionate, and involved students eager to answer questions and help with class planning. They hold weekly office hours opens in a new tab during the academic year.
Connect with a Faculty Advisor:
Our faculty are experienced designers with connections and insights about Design as a profession. They are great for guidance, portfolio reviews, and other means of academic support. They hold weekly office hours opens in a new tab during the academic year.
Attend Discover the Major Night:
Twice a year the d.school hosts an informational Discover the Major night. Interested students can hear from teaching teams, advisors, and current students. You can check out the d.school opens in a new tab Events page for additional information on other happenings during the year.
Visit Majors Night:
We frequently table Major Events at Stanford and School of Engineering. Come find us if our team can answer any questions or provide resources.
Take d.school Elective Classes:
We offer very exciting and unique design classes through our elective course offerings each quarter. These can also be a great way to engage and learn at the d.school.
Connect with d.school Student Services:
Student Services at the d.school can help answer degree progress questions, nuances to your planning, and clarifying any policies.
Join our Interest Listserv:
Please join our interest litserv (design_interest@lists.stanford.edu) to keep up with communication or announcements tailored to students not yet declared.
Declaring the Major
Design follows the guidance from Academic Advising opens in a new tab that all students should declare their major no later than Spring quarter of their sophomore year. Not meeting this milestone could lead to impacts on degree progress, and possibly your expected graduation timeline for completing 100% of requirements. Like many departments, we pause new declarations in the summer quarter.
Expect the whole declaration process to take at least 3 weeks depending on your preparation, and advisor availability.
Steps to Declare opens in a new tab:
Declare “Design” in Axess
Select a Program Sheet that overlaps your matriculation.
Fill out your Program Sheet.
Complete a program sheet with courses you plan to take as well as those you have already taken. List all course numbers and names along with their units (and grade, if already completed).
Fill out a 4-year plan of classes you plan to take, and the quarter you intend to complete them.
Meet with us at Office Hours
First attend Office Hours with a Peer Advisor to have your Program Sheet and 4-year plan checked, and to receive guidance on a Faculty Advisor assignment.
Second attend Office Hours with a Faculty Advisor (who will be your assigned Faculty Advisor) to complete a final review and sign off on your Program Sheet.
Submit your signed Program Sheet and unofficial transcript to the Design: Declaration Form opens in a new tab.
Student services will complete your declaration processing in Axess. We may follow up with you if there are any questions.