Information Design M.A.
Program Rationale:
The Master of Arts in Information Design prepares graduates to take leadership positions in the design industry, including graphic design, publishing, advertising, multimedia design, web design, digital imaging, and corporate information design.
Graduates are expected to meet the challenges presented by the theoretical, creative, and technical aspects of the rapidly changing field of visual design and its business applications through the development of the analytic and critical skills required to create, direct, present, and evaluate effective design solutions.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Students are expected to:
- Master advanced design theory, process and application;
- Develop analytic and critical skills required to create, direct, and evaluate effective design solutions; and
- Develop in-depth problem solving and research skills necessary for the creation and presentation of effective design solutions.
Admission Requirements:
Applicants for the Master of Arts degree in Information Design must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. The undergraduate record must demonstrate clear evidence of ability to undertake and pursue successfully advanced study in the graduate field.
Applicants must also have completed 12 credits of undergraduate coursework in graphic design with a grade of “B” or better, of which three credits must be at the 400 level. These courses will be reviewed by the department for discipline-specific content as it relates to the M.A. in Information Design.
Additional Materials Required:
• Application essay.
• Slide or CD-ROM portfolio (10 examples of applicant’s graphic design work). The portfolio must meet department admissions committee approval for design quality. Collaborative projects must be clearly identified as such and include a detailed description of each student’s contribution.
Applicants must submit a graduate admissions application, application fee, and official transcripts from every college or university attended to the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Office.
Instructions for uploading the essay will be found within the graduate online application. The portfolio must be sent directly to the attention of the Department of Design (Graphic/Information) Graduate Admissions Committee.
Note: Successful applicants will be expected to take a technical competency test prior to admission to DES designated courses requiring computer use.
Contact: 860-832-2557
Course and Capstone Requirements
Core Courses
| DES 499 | Computer Applications for Graphic/Information Design | 3 |
| DES 501 | Graphic/Information Design Theory I | 3 |
| DES 502 | Graphic/Information Design Theory II | 3 |
| DES 520 | Advanced History of Design | 3 |
| DES 598 | Research Methods in Design | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Specialization
| DES 503 | Graphic/Information Design Practice I | 3 |
| DES 504 | Graphic/Information Design Practice II | 3 |
| DES 537 | Advanced Design Internship | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Directed Elective
DES, MIS, CS, COMM, MGT, MKT, BUS or ART course as approved by advisor
Capstone
| DES 597 | Research Project (Plan C) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
DES 597: (Plan C)
The capstone requirement is a research project supervised and approved by the graduate advisor and Graduate Faculty Committee. The research project also requires final approval by the dean, School of Graduate Studies.
Note: Students enrolled in the following courses will be assessed a $65 Design Lab Fee:
| DES 436 | Graphic/Information Design III | 3 |
| DES 438 | Graphic/Information Design IV | 3 |
| DES 439 | Central Design | 3 |
| DES 465 | Topics in Graphic/Information Design | 3 |
| DES 499 | Computer Applications for Graphic/Information Design | 3 |
| DES 503 | Graphic/Information Design Practice I | 3 |
| DES 504 | Graphic/Information Design Practice II | 3 |
| DES 597 | Research Project (Plan C) | 3 |
| DES 598 | Research Methods in Design | 3 |
Contact the department for additional information.
Total Credit Hours: 30
Note: Students are limited to six credits of DES designated course work per semester without permission of advisor and department chair.
Note: No more than nine credits at the 400 level, as approved by the graduate advisor, may be counted toward the graduate planned program of study.