The College of Design is committed to disseminating its teaching, research, and expertise to a wide variety of audiences in addition to our undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to teaching and research, outreach is a key component of the University of Minnesota's tripartite mission.

CDes contains six college-wide research and outreach units, four departmental research and outreach units, and a half-dozen interdisciplinary research and outreach units with college affiliation. Service to alumni and members of the professional design community includes continuing education courses and mentor and alumni societies. And, each semester, our college-wide lecture series is open to the public and available via podcast.