Integrative Design Master of Science Degree

A one-year integrative design degree that furthers your understanding of the design process and prepares you to work with creative development teams.


100%

Outcome Rate of RIT Graduates from this degree


Overview for Integrative Design MS

The MS degree in integrative design is not accepting applications at this time. However, if you are interested in understanding and developing the theories, methods, and processes of design and their application in product and service development, we encourage you to explore our master’s degrees in industrial design or visual communication design.

The integrative design program enables students with artistic, technical, engineering, and management backgrounds to study and successfully engage with creative development teams. This one-year design master’s degree develops your understanding of the theories, methods, and processes of design and their application in product and service development.

A Design Master’s Degree

The MS in integrative design establishes a variety of creative design thinking techniques in areas such as systems thinking, brainstorming, immersions, contextual relevance, and empathy–all of which will be used to develop an in-depth understanding of the design process, the product/service life cycle, product/service feasibility, and the integration of social responsibility in product/service design. The program enables students with artistic, technical, engineering, and management backgrounds to study and successfully engage within creative development teams.

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Careers and 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.

Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. An art and design co-op provides hands-on experience that enables you to apply your artistic capabilities in dynamic professional settings while you make valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.

Cooperative education, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities are encouraged for graduate students in the MFA in integrative design.

Creative Industry Days

Connect with Design Industry Leaders

RIT’s Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education hosts Creative Industry Days, which connects students majoring in art, design, film and animation, photography, and select computing majors with companies, organizations, creative agencies, design firms, and more. Creative Industry Days are a series of events that allow you to network with company representatives and interview directly for open co-op and full-time employment positions.

Featured Work

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Curriculum for 2023-2024 for Integrative Design MS

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

Integrative Design, MS degree, typical course sequence

Course Sem. Cr. Hrs.
INGD-721
Elements and Methods
This course is an introductory experience building the visual, verbal and cognitive understanding of three-dimensional design elements and principles. Projects focus on developing the ability to see, organize, and manipulate design elements and abstraction to achieve the desired sensory responses. (This course is restricted to INTEGDE-MS Major students.) Studio 6 (Fall).
3
INGD-722
Emotion and Implementation
This course builds from the Elements and Methods course and introduces emotional design as a means of creating, understanding and implementing the relationship between the object, the user and the desired sensory response. Concepts of material selection, production processes, and sustainability are explored. Through projects students develop the tools and technical skills necessary for hands-on problem solving and three-dimensional communication of design intent. (Prerequisites: INGD-721 or equivalent course.) Studio 6 (Spring).
3
INGD-726
Visualization I: Development
This course is an introduction to drawing objects and three-dimensional space as a means of developing and communicating design concepts. Students will understand and use the basics of perspective sketching, mechanical perspective, grids and orthogonal views to communicate design concepts. (This course is restricted to INTEGDE-MS Major students.) Studio 6 (Fall).
3
INGD-727
Visualization II: Communication
This course continues developing more advanced visualization techniques, while expanding on visual communication skills: such as storytelling, graphic layout and presentations. Exercises will introduce students to various types of analog and digital visual communication techniques. (Prerequisites: INGD-726 or equivalent course.) Studio 6 (Spring).
3
INGD-731
Design Studio I: Concepts
This course is a theoretical and pragmatic approaches to responsible design practices through processes of iteration, divergent/convergent thinking and critical analysis. Projects focus on human-centered approaches and the contextual relevance of products, service and systems. (This course is restricted to INTEGDE-MS Major students.) Studio 6 (Fall).
3
INGD-732
Design Studio II: Capstone
This course will focus on the application of design methods and processes, design thinking, problem solving, concept development. Students will work with faculty and advisors in establishing a design project. Emphasis will be placed on collaborating with multidisciplinary partners and external resources such as clients or project sponsors. The course culminates with a public presentation of the design project. (Prerequisites: INGD-731 or equivalent course.) Studio 6 (Spring).
3
 
Open Electives
12
Total Semester Credit Hours
30

Admissions and Financial Aid

This program is available on-campus only.

Offered Admit Term(s) Application Deadline STEM Designated
Full‑time Fall Rolling No
Part‑time Fall Rolling No

Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. Part-time study is 1‑8 semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Integrative Design MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

English Language Test Scores

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.

TOEFL IELTS PTE Academic
88 6.5 60

International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.

How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.

A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree

Latest News

  • April 3, 2023

    Person using a touch screen computer.

    RIT Master Plan gives graduate tuition scholarship to eligible alumni

    RIT is offering a graduate tuition scholarship to recent alumni seeking to expand their career potential through the university’s graduate programs. Alumni can enhance their skill set for the new economy through master’s degrees that build upon collaboration, analytical thinking, complex problem solving, and flexibility.

  • August 30, 2022

    Caralie Fennessey interacts with participants of an inclusive basketball game.

    Alumna spearheads accessible design efforts in the community

    Caralie Fennessey '20 MS (integrative design) is the operations director at Endless Highway, a nonprofit that provides equipment, experiences, funding and partnerships to ensure children and adults with physical disabilities can participate in adaptive and inclusive activities.

  • March 21, 2022

    two students working in a room surrounded by orange windows.

    RIT Master Plan cuts tuition in half for eligible alumni

    RIT is extending a special graduate tuition scholarship program to recent alumni as the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third year. The program helps alumni who graduated during the pandemic enhance their skill set for the new economy through master’s degrees that build upon collaboration, analytical thinking, complex problem solving, and flexibility.