In our visual communication design degree, you'll shape interactive experiences by integrating graphic design, user experience design, design studies, motion graphics, and 3D digital design into your work.
Program skills
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.
Communication Design: corporate identity and branding, typography, information design, environmental graphic design, packaging design
Interaction Design: user interface design, user experience design, 2D game design, web and mobile design, responsive design
Motion and 3D Digital Design: motion graphics, broadcast design, 3D modeling, animation and visualization
Software: Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, CINEMA 4D, Xparticles, Unity
Programming: JavaScript P5, Processing, CSS, HTML5, JQuery
Program facilities equipment
Students work in dedicated graduate computer labs and studio spaces. The program provides an opportunity to use, learn, and understand the various types of specialized software and processes for building design solutions for a wide range of digital outputs from mobile, web to AR and VR.
Program job titles reported
Cinematographer and Editor; Game Producer; Graphic and UX/UI Designer; Motion Graphic Designer; Product Designer; Senior Visual Designer; UI/UX Designer; User Experience Researcher; User Interface Designer; UX Designer
Program significant points
- Named by Business Week as one of the Top 10 Design Schools in the country and one of the Top 40 in the world, RIT's Design School is also highly ranked by U.S. News and World Report and Design Intelligence.
- According to Business Insider, RIT ranks (#11) in The World’s 25 Best Design Schools.
Select program hiring partners
500 Designs; Alibaba Group; Ancestry; Athlete Studio; Chewy; Designworks, a BMW Group Company; Didi; Enel X; Facebook; Forbes Media; GoGlobal Accelerator LLC; Hillrom; Kayak; KO Marketing; Lilith Games; Mindex; Parent Lab Inc.; Paychex; Procter & Gamble (P&G); Proscia Inc; Retail Business Services, LLC; Rivet CX Group; Tencent; The CSI Group; TripAdvisor; Unbuilt Labs LLC; Walmart Global Tech; Yahoo
96.7%
Outcome Rates*
81.10%
Knowledge Rate
| Outcome | % of Students |
|---|---|
| Employed | 96.70% |
| Full-time Graduate Study | 0% |
| Alternative Plans | 0% |
Experiential Learning
Cooperative Education and Internships
What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete relevant, hands-on career experience. At the graduate level, and paired with an advanced degree, cooperative education and internships give you the unparalleled credentials that truly set you apart. Learn more about graduate co-op and how it provides you with the career experience employers look for in their next top hires.
Cooperative education, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities are optional but strongly encouraged for graduate students in the MFA in visual communication design.
Creative Industry Day
RIT’s Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education hosts Creative Industry Day, which connects students majoring in art, design, film and animation, photography, and select computing majors with companies, organizations, creative agencies, design firms, and more. You'll be able to network with company representatives and interview directly for open co-op and permanent employment positions.