UCLA is restructuring its design media arts department starting in fall 2027. The current major will split into three distinct programs: design, games, and computational art. Department chair Casey Reas noted that this transition marks a response to shifting cultural and technological landscapes over the past 25 years. By grouping related coursework into these specific tracks, the faculty intends to provide students with more focused educational paths.
Approximately 180 undergraduate students will be distributed across these new majors. While lower-division requirements remain consistent to keep student cohorts connected, upper-division students will now complete three specialized courses tailored to their chosen field before pursuing electives. The department plans to maintain the same number of total course offerings each quarter while rotating specific topics to allow for a broader variety of subjects like 3D modeling and new programming techniques.
Faculty members including Eddo Stern and Mindy Seu describe the shift as a necessary step to provide expertise and coherence in a rapidly changing field. The decision follows decades of internal discussions regarding the balance of breadth and depth within the curriculum. Each major will now feature dedicated history courses tailored to its specific focus rather than the previous umbrella structure.
Despite the enthusiasm from faculty, some students express concerns regarding existing resource constraints. Fourth-year student Sophia Ko noted that the reorganization does not immediately resolve persistent difficulties with class enrollment. Since studio courses are currently capped at 22 students, the department faces pressure to adjust capacity as it implements these changes. The rollout remains a primary focus for the staff as they move toward the 2027 academic year.