What is MDD?
Multi-Disciplinary Design is a studio-based design program where students learn to design across physical products, digital experiences, services, and systems. Through research, prototyping, visual strategy, and collaboration, MDD students develop the skills to understand complex problems and create thoughtful, human-centered solutions.
What will I learn in MDD?
MDD students learn a flexible design methodology they can apply across many kinds of work. Some students focus on digital products and interfaces. Others move toward physical products, objects, and materials. Others explore platforms, services, systems, experiences, and entrepreneurial ideas.
What can I do with an MDD degree?
Because MDD students are trained to research, frame, prototype, visualize, and communicate across different contexts, they are well suited for organizations that need adaptable designers — from established companies and design consultancies to nonprofits, public-sector teams, and startups.
What career paths can I expect?
Open Track
- Service Designer
- Experience Designer
- Design Researcher
- Design Strategist
- Innovation Consultant
- Systems Designer
- Social Impact Designer
- Healthcare Experience Designer
- Hospitality Experience Designer
- Entrepreneur / Founder
- Venture Designer
- Product Strategist
Digital Design
- UX/UI Designer
- Digital Product Designer
- Interaction Designer
- App Designer
- Web Designer
- UX Researcher
- Interface Designer
- Product Designer
- Human-Computer Interaction Designer
- Emerging Technology Designer
- Design Systems Designer
- Content / Experience Designer
Physical Design
- Industrial Designer
- Product Designer
- Furniture Designer
- Consumer Product Designer
- Soft Goods Designer
- Packaging Designer
- Prototype Designer
- Fabrication Specialist
- Color/Material/Finish (CMF) Designer
- Exhibition or Display Designer
- Design Engineer
- Sustainable Product Designer
Student Work
Explore the bold, boundary-pushing work of our Multi-Disciplinary Design students—from physical products to digital experiences.
Latest News
Repost from original CAP article here Students from the Hospitality+ studio in our Multi-Disciplinary Design...
By the time Kayla Kingsley graduated from the University of Utah’s Multi-Disciplinary Design program, she...
This fall, junior students in the University of Utah’s Multi-Disciplinary Design program are stepping into...
Lisa Henry, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in the College of Architecture and Planning, will...
Sebastian Frith Visiting Faculty, Multi-Disciplinary Design (MDD) Department With experience at leading agencies such as...
The Multi-Disciplinary Design (MDD) program at the University of Utah has established a significant update...
Fall 2020 The Design Program is happy to welcome Assistant Professor Steven Chodoriwsky to our...
Fall 2020 The Design Program happily welcomed Assistant Professor Milad Mozari to our faculty last...
Every year students from each Design cohort serve as representatives of our program in the...
Plan your path.
Start your future.
Explore essential details and resources for the Multi-Disciplinary Design program.
B.S. in Multi-Disciplinary Design
Blend creativity, technology, and strategy to tackle complex challenges. Prepare to lead innovation in real-world contexts.
Application Process
Get the full picture of your investment. Explore resources to plan your path forward.
Minor in Multi-Disciplinary Design
Add design thinking to your toolkit. This flexible minor enhances any major with creative problem-solving and cross-disciplinary insight.
Student Portfolios
See where multi-disciplinary design can take you. Our students shape the future across industries and communities.