School of Design


School of
Design
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Overview
The School of Design is ranked among the best, with Business Week naming it one of the top 10 design schools in the country. Effective design combined with creativity and professionalism are the school’s tenets. Using both technological and theoretical approaches to find solutions to design problems, students work with award-winning faculty who are creatives, critical thinkers, and innovative problem-solvers. Students have access to state-of-the art laboratories and computer facilities as well as the Cary Graphic Arts Collection and the entire archive of renowned designers Massimo and Lella Vignelli, housed in RIT’s Vignelli Center for Design Studies.
6
Number of designs from the industrial design program’s Metaproject senior studio that are currently in production through various companies.
12
Our Fab Lab is equipped with 12 3D printers - in addition to laser cutters, CNC routing devices and other technology - to complete submitted projects by students, faculty, and staff.
20
Faculty are professional members or affiliates of more than 20 national, international, and local organizations.
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Dive into graduate academics and research to expand your future career opportunities.
Latest News
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February 25, 2021
Rochester Public Library to use students' design for project build out
The library was awarded a Play Everywhere grant to execute a redesign of its historic play and reading room based on a concept by a group of Interior Design students.
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February 17, 2021
2021 Imagine RIT winning poster selected
An image showing a tiger emerging from an ocean of pandemic, climbing toward a ray of light, has been selected as this year’s poster for the Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival. The poster was designed by Luke Chen, a second-year new media design major.
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February 10, 2021
New Jersey Man Creates 14-Foot Snow Sculpture Of Lincoln Memorial In Front Yard
CBS New York features Robert Schott '81 (graphic design), who creates snow sculptures in his front yard.
Featured Work
New Media Design Portfolio Showcase
How can design do good? From games, apps and installations, students from the New Media Design program create exciting new experiences.
Portfolio Showcase
Visual Communication Design MFA students to dive deep into emerging and future design, technology, interaction and motion trends.
3D Digital Design Reel
A compilation of student work from the last few years.
Featured Profiles
Medical Device Designs
RIT students in the Industrial Design (BFA and MFA) and Graphic Design programs showcased the power of industry partnership as they worked with medical technology company Stryker to design home...
Design Research
Adam Smith, Marla Schweppe, Alex Lobos
Research in design is unique at RIT’s College of Art and Design. We discover new ways of solving problems in an environment brimming with endless possibility. Not only do students have...
Innovative Healthcare Design
Mary Golden
A multidisciplinary contingent of faculty and students from RIT is creating innovative healthcare design solutions to improve the quality of medical care and education for some of the most vulnerable...
Undergraduate Programs
Innovative and creative design solutions that enrich the ways in which people live, work, and play is the emphasis of the school’s undergraduate programs. The school offers BFA programs in 3D digital design, graphic design, industrial design, interior design, and new media design.
3D design includes everything from computer graphics for gaming, virtual worlds, augmented reality, medical and scientific simulations, data visualizations, motion and broadcast graphics, architectural and engineering modeling, instructional multimedia, museum exhibits, and more.
Learn More about 3D Digital Design BFASpend up to a year exploring RIT's design programs before you declare a major.
Learn More about Design ExplorationIn this creative, innovative graphic design degree, you'll integrate design principles, methods, concepts, images, words, and ideas to convey distinct, visually compelling messages to a range of audiences.
Learn More about Graphic Design BFAFrom athletic wear and home goods to stereo systems and medical devices, in the industrial design degree you'll create and develop inventive products for both consumers and manufacturers.
Learn More about Industrial Design BFAThe interior design degree establishes you as an expert in creating human-centered environments and understanding the relationship between people and their physical surroundings.
Learn More about Interior Design BFAAt the intersection of visual communication, design strategy, and user experience design, this new media design degree produces innovative creators of next gen digital media.
Learn More about New Media Design BFAGraduate Programs
The School of Design offers two MFA programs and an MS program. The MFA in visual communication design focuses on all areas of design, including graphic design, user experience/interaction design, design studies, motion graphics, and 3D digital design. The MFA in industrial design includes seminar courses in design history and research and studio courses focusing on sustainability and design process. Meanwhile, the MS in integrative design establishes a variety of creative design thinking techniques in multiple areas.
In this industrial design master's degree, you'll explore design theory, design history, and human-centered design as you create a range of dynamic, exciting consumer products.
Learn More about Industrial Design MFAA one year integrative design master's degree that furthers your understanding of the design process and prepares to work with creative development teams.
Learn More about Integrative Design MSThis visual communications degree gives designers exciting opportunities to shape interactive experiences by integrating graphic design, user experience design, design studies, motion graphics, and 3D digital design into their work.
Learn More about Visual Communication Design MFAMinors and Immersions
The 3D digital design minor provides a foundation in designing visual elements using three-dimensional digital software for a range of applications. Courses cover topics such as modeling, motion, lighting, materials, and rendering. Advanced electives explore real time design including topics related specifically to topology, textures, level of detail, and other techniques important to real time applications. Please note: Enrollment is based on available space and a portfolio review is required before acceptance into the minor.
Learn More about 3D Digital Design MinorStudent Resources
For internal College of Art and Design resources such as academic information, forms, FAQs and more, visit inside.cad.rit.edu. For information about academic advising, visit here.