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.
Course and Capstone Requirements
Core Courses
| MKT 470 | Integrated Marketing Communication | 3 |
| BUS 590 | | |
| 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: | 21 |
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 498 | | |
| 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: 36
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.