Semester Requirements
Chris Jackson, Graduate Program Director
(585) 475-5823, cbjpgd@rit.edu
http://cias.rit.edu/schools/design/graduate-visual-communication-design
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 | |
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Click to view program requirements in the Quarter Calendar
Quarter Curriculum - For Reference Only
Effective fall 2013, RIT will convert its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. The following content has been made available as reference only. Currently matriculated students who began their academic programs in quarters should consult their academic adviser for guidance and course selection.
Program overview
Graphic design is a professional major that addresses a range of advanced visual communication problems, with an emphasis on meaning, form, and function. In a professional studio setting, students work with faculty on the understanding and implementation of theories, principles, and methods related to concept development, design process, context, history and criticism, research, evaluation, visual aesthetics, typography, systems thinking, information design, inter- and cross-disciplinary collaboration, as well as social and ethical responsibility.
Course assignments and thesis projects incorporate both theory and application in the solution of hypothetical and actual graphic design problems. Courses offer a balanced approach toward the integration of digital media and traditional processes. Final design outcomes focus on small- and large-scale, two- or three-dimensional printed artifacts and environmental graphic design solutions, with opportunities to develop relevant for time-based and/or interactive digital applications as well. Special lectures, guest speakers, exhibitions, and workshops complement studio and seminar goals. Students have ongoing access to resources such as the Graphic Design Archive and the Cary Graphic Arts Collection, the Artists’ Books Collection, and the collections of the Vignelli Center for Design Studies.
Curriculum
Semester conversion
Effective fall 2013, RIT will convert its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. Each program and its associated courses have been sent to the New York State Department of Education for approval of the semester plan. For reference, the following charts illustrate the typical course sequence for this program in both quarters and semesters. Students should consult their graduate program adviser with questions regarding planning and course selection.
New program
Effective fall 2013, the MFA programs in computer graphics design and graphic design will merge to form one program in visual communication design. This change will not affect currently matriculated students.
Graphic Design, MFA degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 2010-713 | Design History Seminar | 3 |
| 2010-716 | Image Forms | 4 |
| 2010-711 | Design Theory and Methods Seminar | 3 |
| 2010-712 | Graduate Typography Design | 4 |
| 2010-726 | Design Issues Seminar | 3 |
| 2010-717 | Graduate Systems Design | 4 |
| 2010-722 | Design Applications I | 4 |
| Minor Courses | 6 | |
| Electives | 10 | |
| Liberal Arts | 8 | |
| Second Year | ||
| 2010-861 | Graphic Design Thesis Planning | 4 |
| 2010-718 | Graduate Information Design | 4 |
| 2010-862 | Graduate Design Thesis Development | 4 |
| 2010-724 | Graduate Design Topics | 4 |
| 2010-722 | Design Applications II | 4 |
| 2010-863 | Graphic Design Thesis Implementation | 4 |
| Minor Courses | 9 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Liberal Arts | 4 | |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours |
90 | |
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 | |