Life Design Life Design is a creative, hands-on framework that helps you navigate your college experience with intention and imagine multiple possibilities for your life after graduation. Rooted in design thinking, it encourages you to explore, experiment, and build your path through curiosity, reflection, and action. Life Design courses, workshops and in-class modules are available throughout your time at the College of Fine Arts (more details below). What will I learn to do? Be Curious Use curiosity to discover what energizes you and where you find meaning. Identify What Matters Most Clarify your values, interests, priorities and explore experiences that align with them. Visualize Possibilities Use life design mindsets and tools to expand your thinking. Envision different paths and map out opportunities while growing more confident in your ability to navigating ambiguity. Try Things Out Take small, low‑stakes steps to test your ideas. These “prototypes” might look like volunteering, starting a side project, taking on an internship, or talking with people about their career journeys. Each experiment helps you see what resonates with you. Get Connected Build authentic connections and grow your community. Collaborate through sharing ideas, learning from peers, and expanding your support network. Tell Your Story Learn to communicate your experiences, strengths, and aspirations in meaningful and compelling ways. Life design is offered through: Courses: FA 101F Steer Your Future in the Arts (1 hr, Fall & Spring) and FA 306 Career Development in the Arts (3 hrs, Spring only). Modules: crafted in collaboration with faculty and integrated into their class or studio curriculum. Workshops: 1 hr workshops presented by COFA Career Services, open to all students across the university. Career Coaching: schedule a Life Design appointment (select in drop-down menu) with a coach via 12Twenty@Texas to learn more! Why it matters As artists, designers, performers, and creators, our paths are rarely linear. Life Design offers practical strategies and insights that help you stay adaptable, open to new possibilities, and resilient — now and throughout your life. Please reach out to cofacareerservices@austin.utexas.com if you have any questions or would like more information.
