Our Approach
Using a client-focused, project-based approach, students gain real-world experience and business acumen long before graduation. Coupled with the rigor and technical foundation provided by our engineering departments, Davis Design trains students to turn ill-defined problems into creative solutions that hit the mark.
They learn all phases of the design process from project framing to creating business models. Throughout their undergraduate education, Davis Design provides a transformative professional experience that sets UC Davis students apart throughout their careers, and encourages them to impact their world beyond the classroom.
The cornerstone in our approach to design education is the Diane Bryant Engineering Student Design Center (ESDC). It is where the Aggie Engineer is born. As the university’s primary prototyping shop for student teams and research groups, the ESDC offers indispensable education, resources and support. In any given year, 8,500 people utilize the center’s training and tools. To meet a rapidly growing demand and elevate student learning experiences, the center expanded from a 9,000 square feet to a 23,000-square-foot space designed specifically for engineering design and entrepreneurship education.
The ESDC transforms how our students engage in design curriculum, collaborate on interdisciplinary projects, learn about entrepreneurship, and receive the hands-on guidance that complements theory explored in the classroom. Working in a safe, supervised environment, students have ample opportunity to learn, practice and master cutting-edge techniques.
