Design Process

The DFA Process moves students from curiosity to impact by building competencies through six steps across two phases—Understand and Create.

Our Process and Curriculum

Over time, DFA’s design process has been refined to better support student learning, leadership, and long-term impact. The current curriculum builds on earlier process guides while shifting focus from techniques alone to the competencies students develop through real project work.

The DFA Process is organized into two phases—Understand and Create—made up of six core steps that guide student teams from early exploration to responsible impact. Together, these phases provide shared structure while remaining flexible across campuses, partners, and challenge spaces.

All DFA studios and members have access to this process, along with the tools, and language support to apply it in practice.

Interested in the DFA Process or how studios engage in this work?

Reach out to Amy Stefanski | Programs Director. amy@designforamerica.com