the new school's Parsons School of Design Launches new bfa in design history and practice and names margot bouman program director

January 27, 2020, New York - The New School’s Parsons School of Design today announced the Fall 2020 launch of a new Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Design History and Practice, an innovative program that combines pathways in art, design, and theory with practical studio experience to prepare students for careers in design, art and design research, museum education, publishing, and more. Margot Bouman, currently an Assistant Professor of Visual Culture at The New School, has been named Program Director for the new degree, which will be offered through the School of Art and Design History and Theory (ADHT) at Parsons.

“Parsons is proud to expand our educational offerings by launching the new BFA of Design History and Practice,” said Rhonda Garelick, Dean of ADHT. “Under the leadership of Margot Bouman, who brings an unparalleled level of experience in visual culture, design history, and theory to the program, the new degree will train future leaders of design history.”

The BFA in Design History and Practice at Parsons embraces a new system of learning, “Making + Meaning,” that combines pathways in art history, design studies, fashion studies, and more, with studio experiences that immerse students in a specific area of design practice, such as photography or data visualization. The combination of studio and seminar learning allows students to develop skills in writing, accessory design, printmaking and more while they explore theoretical and historical aspects of art and design, such as the history of the prison-industrial complex in relation to photographic history. Faculty across the university challenge conventional design teaching and practices, engaging students in a rigorous interdisciplinary learning environment.

"The BFA in Design History and Practice expands existing definitions of interdisciplinary degree programs in that it encompasses both practice and research into a given field,” said Bouman. “The program integrates studio and seminar experiences, challenging students to study both the history of ideas and their application, generating a deep, multidisciplinary engagement with design.”

Margot Bouman is an award-winning educator and expert in visual and cultural studies, as well as in gender and sexuality studies. Previously, she served as founding co-director of The New School’s cross-college certificate in Gender and Sexuality Studies, and as Associate Dean for the School of Art and Design History and Theory at Parsons. She is also an author who is currently at work on a book about the recursive nature of sampling as a site-specific practice. Bouman’s extensive interdisciplinary expertise aligns with Parsons’ commitment to providing an innovative educational experience for students eager to challenge the status quo.

As part of the School of Art and Design History and Theory at Parsons, students will benefit from the academic leadership, resources, and industry networks that have placed Parsons at the forefront of design education for more than a century. The program’s structure builds on The New School’s interdisciplinary educational mission, providing opportunities for students to take classes in the university’s Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts and in other BFA programs throughout Parsons.

The program’s unique curriculum includes professional development modules that help students identify the employment sectors or graduate programs that best match their skills and interests.  In addition, students will gain real-world experience through internships, site visits, and individualized mentoring opportunities, graduating with a diverse skill set that can be immediately applied to a variety of careers.