CSU Department of Design and Merchandising

Back in May, we celebrated the grand opening of the Janet J. Else Education Center dedicated to textile learning in the University Center for the Arts AND the 10-year anniversary of the Museum of Design and Merchandising 's grand opening in the beautiful space just east of the University Center for the Arts.

Be sure to stop by to learn all about textiles and apparel history!
See all the pictures from the night here:
https://col.st/2tki9

The second half of the Taiwan and South Korea study tour is a wrap, and Seoul provided an incredible conclusion to the DM Rams’ journey! 🇰🇷

Our students spent the week exploring the dynamic contrasts of the city, visiting bustling department stores and trendy neighborhoods to analyze the fascinating behavioral differences between American and Korean consumers.

On the industry front, they had the privilege of visiting Musinsa, where they learned about the innovative incubator program that supports and elevates emerging fashion designers. They also spent a wonderful day in Seongsudong with students from Ewha Womans University, gaining direct insights into local consumer trends. The trip balanced modern innovation with rich heritage, from wearing traditional Hanboks at Gyeongbokgung Palace, learning about traditional garments in-depth, and participating in an AI-focused session back on the Ewha campus.

Between the brilliant industry and academic exchanges and the endless bowls of incredible Korean food, these Rams are returning home with deeply expanded professional perspectives!

The first week of our international study tour to Taiwan and South Korea is complete! 🇹🇼

The DM Rams have enjoyed cultural immersion and academic growth as they experienced the food, lifestyle, and community in Taiwan.

This week’s focus centered on Taiwan’s retailing and textile industries, giving students a real-world look into global business practices. They also got the opportunity to visit Fu Jen Catholic University, engaging in a great exchange with their campus community!

With valuable insights gained each day, we look forward to seeing this journey unfold as they transition to South Korea for part two of the tour!

Congratulations to the and its faculty mentor Leah Scolere!

The innovative space recently won the Institutional Innovation Award at the Interior Design Educators Council Conference!

Read more about the incredible design library and the impact it has on students:
https://col.st/da7e5

Congratulations to IAD graduates Cierra Gonzalez and Carson Colwell!

They have won the LIV Hospitality Design Awards, advised and mentored by Jain Kwon.

The LIV Hospitality Design Awards takes pride in acknowledging the outstanding contributions of some of the industry’s most brilliant minds.
After a multi-round of votes, the jury members select the winners in professional and student categories. The judges evaluate each project based on their own merit; rewarding the most pioneering and ground-breaking hospitality designs and selecting those that stand out. The winners serve as a testament to their unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of design, presenting innovative solutions, and embracing sustainability practices with passion.

As we reflect on a great semester in DM, we’re proud to celebrate these All-College Award-winning faculty whose dedication made it even better!

📐 Kami Stutzman | Early Career Non‑Tenure‑Track Faculty Teaching Excellence Award

♻️ Ruoh‑Nan (Terry) Yan | Superior Faculty Service Award

Thank you both for the care, creativity, and leadership you bring to our students, programs, and community. Your work continues to shape meaningful learning experiences, and this recognition is well deserved 💚

Congratulations to the Interior Architecture and Design graduates!

Seniors in the IAD program showcased their work on Friday, just before commencement activities began. Students, faculty, families, and special guests toured the Nancy Richardson Design Center covered in incredible posters showcasing the capstone work of the Interior Architecture students.

If you missed it, be sure to stop by the RDC and see the work on display. Congrats to these incredible Ram Grads!

Congratulations to DM outstanding grad, Reese Judd!

Reese is earning a degree in Interior Architecture and Design and was recently named a Metropolis Future 100 award recipient!

There are amazing things ahead for you, Reese! We can't wait to see what you do next!

Read more about Reese:
col.st/a2k2v

Meet outstanding Interior Architecture and Design Ram Grad, Leevi McCoy 🎓🐏

With a natural knack for creativity, Leevi immediately knew he belonged in our IAD program when he came to CSU, where he has built community while honing his design skills. To take his imagination to the next level, Leevi pursued his certificate in .

The is also an integral part of Leevi’s journey, working all four years with the Campus Recreation Facilities Team which led him to serve as the Recreation Supervisor!

Congratulations, Leevi! We’re so proud of you and look forward to what your bright future has in store!

Students in our DM 360 Retailing course brought research to life, presenting location recommendations for a new Pathways Hospice thrift store in Northern Colorado!

Students successfully delivered their final 5-minute executive pitches to the Pathways leadership team, showcasing their in-depth preparation. To arrive at their site recommendations, teams integrated survey data, conducted on-the-ground site visits, and analyzed critical data using ArcGIS Business Analyst software.

Both the Pathways team and Dr. Heejin Lim were impressed by the students’ engagement and strategy behind their final executive summaries. They were incredibly proud of the poise and professionalism displayed throughout these concise, high-impact sessions.

These DM Rams didn’t just present data, they provided actionable insights for our community — way to go!