Please save the date for the next DDes Immersion Week, taking place March 8-17, 2021.
Save the Date!
Please save the date for the next DDes Immersion Week, taking place March 8-17, 2021. Click for the event schedule and more details.
 AJ Polanco is the first person in his cohort to successfully complete the academic requirements of the Doctor of Design (DDes) program.
Closing in on a Doctorate
AJ Polanco is the first person in his cohort to successfully complete the academic requirements of the Doctor of Design (DDes) program.
 A student in the College of Design’s Doctor of Design program is pushing his career to the next level by researching how to design virtual reality environments that reduce stress — an issue that has hit close to home for him ever since he served in the military.
DDes Student Researching How to Design VR That Heals
A student in the College of Design’s Doctor of Design program is pushing his career to the next level by researching how to design virtual reality environments that reduce stress — an issue that has hit close to home for him ever since he served in the military.
 Director of the DDes program, Elen Deming talks with the Designlife Podcast about why it’s so important to have a research program in design, who the students are that make up the DDes program, and the academic challenges that are being faced in the era of COVID-19.
Elen Deming featured on Designlife Podcast
Director of the DDes program, Elen Deming talks with the Designlife Podcast about why it’s so important to have a research program in design, who the students are that make up the DDes program, and the academic challenges that are being faced in the era of COVID-19.
 As a student practitioner in the Doctor of Design (DDes) program at NC State’s College of Design, Moore gets to explore ways in which the town has the capacity and the capability to change as new residents and new economic decisions come into play.
DDes Student Puts Research into Practice as Town Manager
As a student practitioner in the Doctor of Design (DDes) program at NC State’s College of Design, Moore gets to explore ways in which the town has the capacity and the capability to change as new residents and new economic decisions come into play.

The goal of the Doctor of Design to create new knowledge and promote its application in the professional design community and society at large.

program or department head

Program Director

M. Elen Deming, D.Des, FASLA, FCELA

Director, Doctor of Design

E: doctor-of-design@ncsu.edu  P: 919-515-3876

 

Doctor of Design Poster Presentation

Established in 2016-17, the professional Doctor of Design (DDes) program is an advanced degree program for established design practitioners, which complements the existing PhD in Design. This is the only DDes program in the country that offers blended learning (online + on campus) in design research aimed at applications in practice. This unique program offers DDes students the flexibility to continue working while completing program requirements.

Applications are now being accepted for Fall 2021 admissions.

Learn more about the Doctor of Design program.

Review of applications will begin February 15th.  Priority will be given to applications received by February 15th, although we will consider applications on a rolling basis until the Fall 2021 class is filled.

The purpose of the program is to pursue design research in support of those professions creating the artifacts, communications, environments, organizing structures and systems of the future.

DDes students conduct original investigations through design-based practices, cases, and methods. The program provides a forum for connecting design research to the needs of society, by promoting the application of new knowledge in design and addressing design impacts on larger systems.

Note: While most of the program is completed online, physical attendance at one week-long workshop held each semester is mandatory. At the time of admission, DDes students are expected to demonstrate mastery over their respective practices and to articulate a clear, compelling topic along with specific research questions.

Questions? Please contact Elen Deming at 919-515-3876 or clear dotdoctor-of-design@ncsu.edu.

Student Testimonial

“In short, my work through the DDes program has allowed me to champion budgets, projects, and programs to re-design the downtown of Zebulon. Without the program, I would not have the skills or research to back-up the budgets I’m requesting. This program, by virtue of its setup, faculty and staff, offers things that place it at an advantage over other more established programs. They sympathize with the realities of a practicing professional.”

– Joe Moore, Town Manager, Zebulon, NC