The Master of Science in Design (M.S.D.) degree with a major in Design and concentrations in graphic design, industrial design, and interior design prepares students for leadership positions in industry research and teaching. The program has four goals:
Admission Requirements. Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, or a related design discipline to participate in this terminal degree program. When applying for admission, applicants must declare one of three concentrations: graphic design, industrial design, or interior design. Additionally, the areas of interest must be identified from the following: facility planning and management, human factors in design, or design methodology, theory and criticism. admission to the M.S.D. program is selective on a space-available basis.
Application Procedures. Applicants must file separate application materials to both the Graduate College and the School of Design.
School of Design Requirements. The following materials should be submitted to
The portfolio is returned after final admission procedures, provided sufficient prepaid postage is enclosed, or if the materials are claimed in person within one year of submission. Unclaimed portfolios are retained for only one year. The School of Design assumes no liability for lost or damaged materials.
Application Deadlines. Primary consideration is given to completed applications received by the deadlines. Applications for assistantships and scholarships normally are considered at the same time.
All materials must be received by the Graduate College and the school by March 1 for fall semester. Late applications are accepted until all positions are filled.
Selection Procedures and Notifications. The faculty evaluate the applications and supporting materials and recommend to the Graduate College whether the applicant should be granted regular or provisional admission or if admission should be denied. If admission is provisional, the Graduate College specifies in its letter of admission the provisions to be met to gain regular status. The school informs successful applicants of the procedures for enrollment.
Program of Study. See “Design” for faculty and course listings. The program of study consists of 36 semester hours of course work at the 500 level or above with the following distribution:
| DSC 580 | Practicum: Methods of Teaching Design (3) |
| Approved courses in the concentration/area of interest (12) | |
| Approved electives outside the school (9) | |
| Approved research methods courses (6) | |
| Thesis or Applied Project (6) | |
| Total: 36 | |
Graphic Design Concentration
The graphic design program educates and develops students for both the graphic design profession and for academic positions. The goal of the faculty is to offer the best graphic design education, allowing the graduating student every option available. Applied research is intended to help students think critically as individuals and in team situations. Students opting for this concentration can expect to work in the areas of corporate identity, brand identity, publication design, museum informational design, broadcast graphics, ad design, informational graphics, environmental graphics, Web site design, and others. Students pursuing graduate studies can expect to be equally well prepared with critical and analytical thinking skills coupled with a diversified portfolio. Individuals interested in advanced studies to strengthen and refine student’s proficiency in the language, process, and technical aspects of the profession will participate in this concentration. An Applied Project is the capstone experience for this concentration.
Industrial Design Concentration
Industrial design is primarily concerned with how humans perceive and use designed objects. The discipline of industrial design has been defined as the professional service of creating and developing concepts and specifications that optimize the appearance, function, and value of products and systems for the mutual benefit of both the user and the manufacturer. This service is often provided in the context of a cooperative working relationship with other members of a development group. The industrial designer’s contribution places special emphasis on human characteristics, needs, and interests that require detailed understanding of visual, tactile, safety, and convenience criteria. Industrial designers combine these considerations with practical concern for technical processes, manufacturing requirements, economics, and marketing, including distribution, sales, and service. Individuals wishing to further studies in the development of product and its relationship to human factors will participate in this concentration. An Applied Project is the capstone experience for this concentration.
Interior Design Concentration
Interior design focuses on educating designers for a professional world that needs informed and developed talent. The concentration emphasizes preparation in building bridges between the academic world and the profession. The goal is to develop technically accomplished and conceptually sophisticated graduates who continue to evolve as practicing professionals and educators. Graduates in this concentration accept entry-level professional/research positions in a variety of settings, including interior design firms, architectural firms specializing in interior space planning and design, and facilities and master planning within the corporate environment. Individuals wishing to further studies in the development of interior space will participate in this concentration. An Applied Project is the capstone experience for this concentration.
Areas of Study
Facilities Planning and Management in Design. This area of study focuses on the coordination of the work place and equipment with the people and organizational structure of the institution. The intent is to combine programming and management practices with current professional and technical expertise to provide humane and effective work environments. Facility-related responsibilities to support this concentration cluster into seven functional units: programming; facilities analysis; space management; interior planning and design; human factors; interior codes; public welfare and safety; and interior installation. A thesis is the capstone experience for this area of study.
Human Factors in Design. This area of study identifies the problems, establishes the strategies, and develops the design solutions needed for issues surrounding the human/machine interface. The human/machine interface is the focus although the principles have wider application to other systems and environments. Special emphasis is placed on the relationship between the human and test performance factors. Emphases include qualities of function; methods of forming organizational relationships; factors of environmental control systems (acoustics and illumination); and human factors in product and interior design. Subject matter also includes the design of equipment, machines and spaces, ergonometrics and forms of ergonomic documentation, analysis of relationships between spaces, objects, and people as simulated through computer animation, imaging, and traditional modeling techniques. Because of the significant impact of human factors on the work environment, this concentration shares courses and faculty with the facilities planning and management concentration. A thesis is the capstone experience for this area of study.
Design Methodology, Theory and Criticism in Design. This area of study is available to majors with backgrounds in art or design history, industrial design, interior design, architecture, sociology, environmental psychology, or research methods. Two foci exist: (1) the development of critical skills based on understanding the theories and philosophies that form the basis of contemporary design and (2) the ability to recognize and interpret emerging design issues and trends through impact identification and analysis. Applications include design education, design marketing and production decision, and design criticism. The program examines successful design strategies for problem solving and theories related to design forecasting. A thesis is the capstone experience for this area of study.
Foreign Language Requirements. None.
Practicum. All students must enroll in a three-hour teaching practicum that focuses on the problems and issues surrounding studio instruction. Emphasis is on the techniques of criticism and individual and group studio teaching.
Thesis or Applied Project. For students choosing the thesis option, six semester hours of 599 Thesis and 592 Research apply toward the thesis. Guidelines in the Format Manual must be followed. For students choosing the applied project option, six hours of 593 Applied Project apply.
Final Examinations. An oral examination in defense of the thesis or applied project is required.
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