Integrative Design Master of Science Degree
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.
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.
Join us for Fall 2023
Many programs accept applications on a rolling, space-available basis.
Graduates work primarily in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry.
Careers and Experiential Learning
Salary and Career Information for Integrative Design MS
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.
Featured Work
Lipstick Design
Wei Wei Lin
"The new idea of the lipstick bottle, using the classic leather sofa button feature on the bottle. Create a high-quality touch experience. The light red leather and semi-matte metal feature...
Capstone Projects 2020
Capstone projects from Integrative Design (MS) program's Class of 2020. The final project for the one-year program focuses on the application of design methods and processes, design thinking...
Featured Profiles
Embracing creativity and exploration
Alex Lobos, Gregory Halpern, Elizabeth Kronfield, Todd Jokl
The College of Art and Design at RIT offers distinctive graduate degrees that combine the best of art, design, creativity and technology. Our diverse portfolio of graduate program offerings includes...
Accessible Design
RIT’s Studio 930 design consultancy connects students with community partners to create life-changing assistive products. The Simone Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, together with...
Design Research
Adam Smith, 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...
Curriculum for Integrative Design MS
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:
- Complete an online graduate application.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college.
- A recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- Entrance exam requirements: None
- Writing samples are optional.
- Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required. Details are below.
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
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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.
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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.
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November 1, 2021
![Students work on computers in a park lodge.]()
RIT partners with local park to promote 'hidden gem' of Rochester
Student strategized how to raise the profile of Washington Grove for the School of Design's annual EUREKA! workshop, an initiative in which students use design-thinking strategies to solve community challenges.
