How can design education prepare students to thrive in a complex and rapidly changing world? The first-year course of study at Parsons Paris is the foundation of all undergraduate majors and immerses students in an exploration of art and design concepts, skills, and practices. Regardless of their selected major, this year trains students to become creative thinkers, strong makers, and lifelong learners. The curriculum offers a survey of approaches to art and design that constitute the basis of the three undergraduate programs at Parsons Paris. It enables students to envision learning paths beyond the confines of a single discipline.
Flexible Study Paths
The first-year curriculum, which is the same at both the Paris and New York campuses of Parsons School of Design, is designed to accommodate a variety of study paths. Students focus on cross-disciplinary projects and explore a broad range of creative
and academic fields related to art, design, and design strategies. The curriculum balances breadth and depth, integrates studio and liberal arts learning, and gives students flexibility in choosing how to reach their educational and professional goals
while taking advantage of the unique opportunities of Parsons Paris.
Shared Learning Experience
In the first-year curriculum, Art, Media & Technology BFA and Fashion Design BFA students complete the same set of core courses. BBA students in Strategic Design and Management follow a similar curriculum, with a few distinct courses for their program.
In the spring semester, BFA students also take an elective specific to their majors and have an opportunity to orient their projects toward their chosen disciplines. In addition, all students take intensive creative workshops that help them to acquire
technical skills in preparation for their sophomore year.
Cross-Disciplinary Environment
First-year courses prepare students to become skilled and socially aware artists, fashion designers, and design managers. Classes focus on broadly relevant design concepts, tools, and methods – including studios exploring 2D and 3D processes, drawing,
and digital design as well as liberal arts seminars. These classes bring together passionate students who will forge new paths in an array of creative disciplines. This collective experience is a central aspect of the first-year curriculum.
Paris as a Living Laboratory
While at Parsons Paris, students have the opportunity to study the French language and immerse themselves into the local culture. Regardless of their majors, they will interact with Paris based designers and artists inside and outside of class, and become themselves
actors of the Parisian cultural scene.