About DAAP
The University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) is a nationally recognized leader in creative education. Ranked among the top programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Business Week, Design Intelligence, and others, DAAP continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with the nation’s most prestigious design schools. What sets us apart is the way our students transform ideas into impact — not only in the studio, but in the world.
Dean Stephanie Pilat, Ph.D., FAAR ‘07
Every corner of DAAP hums with creativity. On any given day, you might encounter industrial design models that reimagine the tools of tomorrow, vibrant textile projects from our fashion design studios, or architectural renderings that push the boundaries of how we live and build. Our programs span design, art, architecture, horticulture, and urban planning, encouraging collaboration across disciplines in ways few institutions can match.
DAAP’s legendary cooperative education program — the first of its kind in the nation — is where imagination meets experience. Each semester, our students gain professional expertise at leading organizations across the country and around the globe: from LEGO headquarters in Denmark to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and design and planning firms in Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. By the time they graduate, they are not only educated but also seasoned, well-traveled professionals ready to lead industries forward.
Our greatest measure of success is our alumni, whose creativity continues to influence fields worldwide. As Allbirds founder and DAAP graduate Tim Brown reflected, “Allbirds simply doesn’t happen without my experience here.” His story, like so many others, is proof that a DAAP education is more than preparation — it’s the blueprint for what’s next.