Part-time & Graduate Enrollment Services
Visual Communication Design (formerly Graphic Design) MFA
Program overview
The changing landscape of people’s everyday interactions has blurred the lines between respected design fields giving designers new responsibilities to shape experiences. Designers must increase their knowledge in all areas of design, including print media, human-computer interaction design, motion graphics, and 3D digital graphics.
The MFA in visual communication design provides a learning environment for advancement in innovative research, user-centered design, and professional practice focusing on the creative potentials of visual communication through a full spectrum of media. The program offers three options--communication design, interaction design, or motion and 3D digital design--for student to advance their design knowledge and technical skills.
The cross-disciplinary nature of this program offers a greater potential to foster innovation and creativity in visual communication design. The program reflects the current views and changes occurring in the professional design field. The skill sets required of graphic, interactive, and digital design have now crossed over and are interrelated.
Curriculum
Visual communication design (communication design option), MFA degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| VCDE-708 | Typography | 3 |
| VCDE-707 | Web and UI Design | 3 |
| VCDE-709 | Digital Design in Motion | 3 |
| VCDE-706 | 3D Modeling and Motion | 3 |
| VCDE-701 | Design History Seminar | 3 |
| VCDE-717 | Design Systems | 3 |
| VCDE-723 | Interaction Design | 3 |
| VCDE-718 | Project Design and Implementation | 3 |
| VCDE-711 | Design Theory and Methods Seminar | 3 |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| VCDE-790 | Thesis Research and Planning | 3 |
| VCDE-742 | Information Design | 3 |
| VCDE-741 | Environmental Graphic Design | 3 |
| VCDE-732 | Branding and Identity Design | 3 |
| VCDE-890 | Thesis Implementation and Evaluation | 6 |
| VCDE-746 | Professional Practices | 3 |
| Open Electives | 9 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 60 | |
Visual communication design (interaction design option), MFA degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| VCDE-708 | Typography | 3 |
| VCDE-707 | Web and UI Design | 3 |
| VCDE-709 | Digital Design in Motion | 3 |
| VCDE-706 | 3D Modeling and Motion | 3 |
| VCDE-701 | Design History Seminar | 3 |
| VCDE-723 | Interaction Design | 3 |
| IGME-601 | Programming for Designers | 3 |
| VCDE-718 | Project Design and Implementation | 3 |
| VCDE-711 | Design Theory and Methods Seminar | 3 |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| VCDE-790 | Thesis Research and Planning | 3 |
| VCDE-733 | Digital Video and Audio | 3 |
| VCDE-742 | Information Design | 3 |
| VCDE-741 | Environmental Graphic Design | 3 |
| VCDE-890 | Thesis Implementation and Evaluation | 6 |
| VCDE-746 | Professional Practices | 3 |
| Open Elective | 9 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 60 | |
Visual communication design (motion and 3D digital design option), MFA degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| VCDE-708 | Typography | 3 |
| VCDE-707 | Web and UI Design | 3 |
| VCDE-709 | Digital Design in Motion | 3 |
| VCDE-706 | 3D Modeling and Motion | 3 |
| VCDE-701 | Design History Seminar | 3 |
| VCDE-728 | Motion Graphics | 3 |
| VCDE-716 | 3D Particles and Dynamics | 3 |
| VCDE-718 | Project Design and Implementation | 3 |
| VCDE-711 | Design Theory and Methods Seminar | 3 |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| VCDE-790 | Thesis Research and Planning | 3 |
| VCDE-731 | 3D Visual Design | 3 |
| VCDE-733 | Digital Video and Audio | 3 |
| VCDE-741 | Environmental Graphic Design | 3 |
| VCDE-890 | Thesis Implementation and Evaluation | 6 |
| VCDE-746 | Professional Practices | 3 |
| Open Elective | 9 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 60 | |
Additional Program Information
This program is being merged into a new, dynamic , integrated program called Visual Communication Design MFA. Click here for a PDF brochure that contains detailed information on this program.Portfolio Requirements
As part of the entrance requirements, applicants must demonstrate an understanding of design principles and visual computer skills using Adobe products. A portfolio of 10-15 examples must demonstrate a good sense of design, typography, and illustration in addition to the applicant's interests in and aptitudes for advanced study and, specifically, potential for success at RIT. Applicants are encouraged to submit only their best original work. Applicants should not submit work copied from film, television, photographs, magazine/book illustrations or other sources. Portfolios can be submitted on a CD, DVD or USB flash drive. Files should be saved as JPEG, PDF, QuickTime, or as a digital portfolio created in PowerPoint or Flash (JPEG images are preferred). Please note that digital portfolios will not be returned to students once submitted. Applicants may also submit a URL web address for online portfolios. HTML websites are accepted and encouraged.
Career Outcomes
Job TitlesGraphic designer, information designer, staff artist, design director, creative director, multimedia designer, art director, web page designer
FunctionsAssist designers in designing and executing projects. Develop computer generated and traditional design solutions for a variety of media, including publications, advertising, information systems, corporate identity systems, and interactive media
Recent EmployersCatalyst Direct, Clarion Marketing, Community Graphics, Eastman Kodak Co., Gannett Newspapers, Heritage Media Corporation, Northern Telecom, Rumrill Hoyt, Saatchi & Saatchi Business Communications, Xerox Corporation