We believe that graduate students learn best through their own search for problems with the advice, criticism and guidance of the faculty. Faculty evaluate graduate students on their ability to define individual investigations and to support their decision-making with an independent program of reading and research, an ability to critically evaluate and articulate discoveries, and an ability to synthesize ideas through the creation of design projects. The main thrust of our graduate program is to provide a research dimension to the field by contributing to our understanding of graphic design through investigations into its history, theory, criticism, and methodology as well as its practice.
Graduate students come from a variety of academic and professional practice experiences.
The Department accepts students who have an undergraduate degree in graphic design or have comparable professional practice experience as well as those with degrees in other disciplines who display a keen interest and creative potential for graphic design. Because of the intensive nature of our program, part-time enrollment is not possible. Our innovative program is structured around three topical areas, or frameworks, for study. The cultural relationships among graphic designers and audiences, and The role of digital media in electronic information environments. These topics are presented and discussed in seminar courses and projects are developed and produced in corresponding studios.