Center for Integrated Design Courses

Courses at The Center for Integrated Design

At the Center for Integrated Design, we're focused on teaching universal human-centered design methodologies, also known as Design Thinking. This coursework does not focus on the technical design skills that you would learn if pursuing a degree through the Department of Design. We focus on the mindsets, attitudes, and foundational design skills that teach you how to be creative in your approach to solving problems and generating ideas for current studies and future work. You will learn how to integrate design into anything you’re doing, whether studying theater or physics, engineering, business or Japanese.

Guided by expert design faculty and professional working designers, our courses will help you develop both the creative and critical thinking skills essential to imagine new futures for your chosen career path and in your own life. We offer experimental and adaptable courses that change each semester to meet the emerging demands of the world around us.

Spring 2026 Courses

ITD 101: Intro to Integrated Design

Mode: In-Person
Room: AHG 1.310
Schedule: T 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Session: First Session (1/12 - 2/16)
Instructor: Tracy Deluca

Introduction to the concepts, mindsets, and methods of design thinking as a fundamental skill for all disciplines

ITD 301D: Intro to Design Thinking

Mode: In-Person
Room: AHG 1.310
Schedule: TH 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Session: Full Semester
Instructor: Gillian Salerno-Rebic

Introduces design thinking and design methods, with a focus on design process.

ITD 301D: Intro to Design Thinking

Mode: In-Person
Room: AHG 1.308
Schedule: W 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Session: Full Semester
Instructor: Jacob Rader

Introduces design thinking and design methods, with a focus on design process.

ITD 301D: Intro to Design Thinking

Mode: In-Person
Room: AHG 1.310
Schedule: T 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Session: Full Semester
Instructor: Myan Aljets

Introduces design thinking and design methods, with a focus on design process.

ITD 301D: Intro to Design Thinking - WB

Mode: Online
Schedule: T 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Session: Full Semester
Instructor: Joe Meersman

Introduces design thinking and design methods, with a focus on design process.

ITD 102: Sketchng for Thinking/Comm - WB

Mode: Online
Schedule: M 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Session: Full Semester
Instructor: Joe Meersman

Discussion of sketching as the fastest way to convey ideas, both in an ideation session or taking notes in a meeting. Explores the basic elements of sketching to visualize concepts and quickly bring alignment to any team.

ITD 106: Pres/Improv Skills in Design

Mode: In-Person
Room: AHG 1.308
Schedule: M 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Session: First Session (1/12 - 2/16)
Instructor: Shannon Stott

Focus on presentation skills and improvisational/impromptu speaking skills in meetings

ITD 111: Intro to Design/Artificial Intelligence

Mode: In-Person
Room: ART 3.218
Schedule: W 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Session: First Session (1/12 - 2/16)
Instructor: Hollie Gardner

Introduction to exploring design as a problem-solving tool for real-world scenarios posed from artificial intelligence and robotics.

ITD 130T: Harm by Design

Mode: In-Person
Room: AHG 1.308
Schedule: TTH 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Session: Second Session (2/17 - 3/30)
Instructor: Libby Riddell

Explore the negative impacts design has on society through making and critique.

ITD 150: Designing a Life of Purpose

Mode: In-Person
Room: AHG 1.310
Schedule: M 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Session: First Session (1/12 - 2/16)
Instructor: Durell Coleman

ITD 150: Designing Creative Confidence

Mode: In-Person
Room: AHG 1.310
Schedule: W 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Session: First Session (1/12 - 2/16)
Instructor: Sarita Soldz

Explore principles and practices to cultivate creative confidence by leveraging design thinking mindsets and tools, including how to: get out of a judge mindset, embrace failure, trying something new, and focus on being in creation.

ITD 150: Designing for Human Connection

Mode: In-Person
Room: ART 3.218
Schedule: W 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Session: Second Session (2/17 - 3/30)
Instructor: Julia Winston

Develop practical skills for creating meaningful connection in times of isolation and rapid change. Discover hands-on exercises, mindfulness-based practices, and real-world applications to connect in a disconnected world

ITD 150: Storytelling in Design

Mode: In-Person
Room: Off-Campus
Schedule: W 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Session: Second Session (2/17 - 3/30)
Instructor: Kathryn Marinaro

Explore the design thinking approach to storytelling. Work with design professionals and see how they incorporate stories into their everyday work and apply the concepts and techniques behind building and delivering them. Taught off-campus at the Apptronik office in Austin, Texas; students will be responsible for arriving by 3:50pm.

ITD 330T: Education Design for Engineering

Room: AHG 1.308
Schedule: T 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Session: Full Semester
Instructor: Wen (Vivian) Ye

Explore interdisciplinary design practices through an NSF-funded outreach project with UT Engineering Lab. Examine how visual communication and educational design translate emerging technologies such as electric vehicles and renewable energy for K–12 audiences.

ITD 310T: Prototyping Products

Mode: In-Person
Room: ART 3.218
Schedule: M 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Session: Full Semester
Instructor: Brooke Davis

Problem solve and prototype mass produced products through an iterative design process. Explore 3D design conceptualization through hands-on building techniques and digital fabrication methods.

ITD 370: Advanced Design Thinking (IBM)

Mode: In-Person
Room: ART 3.218
Schedule: TTH 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Session: Full Semester
Instructor: Farzana Sedillo

Step beyond the classroom and into the future of innovation in this advanced, project-based studio. Explore with professionals and tackle real-world design challenges. Hands-on experiences blend creativity, strategy, and technology while developing problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership skills valued by employers. Classes meet Tuesdays at IBM Austin, TX campus and Thursdays on campus.

ITD 375: Capstone in Integrated Design

Mode: In-Person
Room: ART 1.204
Schedule: MW 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Session: Full Semester
Instructor: DiMitri Higginbotham

Multidisciplinary groups of students research an integrated design problem and propose and prototype an appropriate solution, guided by feedback from supervising instructor(s). Restricted to students in the bridging discipline program.

ITD 380: Design Thinking

Mode: In-Person
Room: ART 1.202
Schedule: T 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Session: Full Semester
Instructor: DiMitri Higginbotham

Explore the concepts of design thinking and human-centered design methods through direct application and experiential learning. Focus on teaching the design thinking process and helping build adaptable problem solving skills.

The courses below are cross-listed with the Department of Design for the Spring 2026 semester.

ITD 330T: Speculative Futures: Biodesign

Mode: In-Person
Room: ART 1.406
Schedule: W 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Session: Full Semester
Instructor: Jiabao Li 

Explore the intersection of art, design, and biotechnology to examine how living systems can be creatively and ethically engaged through new materials, tools, and methods. Investigate contemporary bio-art practices, speculative design, and the social, ecological, and political implications of engineering life.

We also partner with the Bridging Disciplines Program in the School of Undergraduate Studies to offer a BDP Certificate in Design Strategies. The curriculum to attain the certificate engages students in a design process that includes research and insights; creative problem solving; prototyping and testing; and implementation and presentation — all while learning to apply a critical lens to the social context within which design takes place.

Learn about the Design Strategies BDP