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The Master of Arts Degree in Information Design provides professional instruction in the areas of Advanced Design Theory, Design Practice, Research for Graphic / Information Design, History of Design, Graphic Design, and Interactive Multimedia. Graduates are expected to take leadership positions in the design industry, including graphic design, publishing, advertising, multimedia design, web design, digital imaging and corporate information design. The program, similar to the professional practice of design, addresses not only the theoretical, creative and technical aspects of visual design, but business applications as well, this unique degree program delivers graduates who meet and exceed the challenges of the rapidly evolving field.

Graduate Advisory Board:
A Gradaute Advisory Board is to provid a national perspective on the practice of informational design and to provide the program with continuous interface with both the professional deign and design education communities.

Graduate Admissions:
Applicants for the Master of Arts degree in information Design must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The undergraduate record must demonstrate clear evidence of ability to undertake and pursue successfully advanced study in the graduate field. In addition to standard University graduate admission requirements, the Department of Design requires that successful applicants submit the following materials: items 1 and 2 to the CCSU Graduate Admissions Office and items 3 and 4 to the attention of the Department of Design (Graphic/Information) Graduate Admissions Committee.

Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
Transcripts that demonstrate 12 credits of undergraduate course work in graphic design with a grade of “B” or better, of which three credits must be at the 400 level. These courses will be reviewed by the department for discipline-specific content as it relates to the M.A. in Information Design.
Application Essay.
Slide or CD-ROM portfolio (10 examples of applicant’s graphic design work). The portfolio must meet department admissions committee approval for design quality. Collaborative projects must be clearly identified as such and include a detailed description of each student’s contribution.

Note: Successful applicants will be expected to take a technical competency test prior to admission to DES designated courses requiring computer use.

Program Rationale:
The Master of Arts in Information Design prepares graduates to take leadership positions in the design industry, including graphic design, publishing, advertising, multimedia design, web design, digital imaging, and corporate information design.

Graduates are expected to meet the challenges presented by the theoretical, creative, and technical aspects of the rapidly changing field of visual design and its business applications through the development of the analytic and critical skills required to create, direct, present, and evaluate effective design solutions.

Program Learning Outcomes:
Students are expected to:

Master advanced design theory, process and application;
Develop analytic and critical skills required to create, direct, and evaluate effective design solutions; and
Develop in-depth problem solving research skills necessary for the creation and presentation of effective design solutions.

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Courses and Capstone Requirements/ (36 credits):

Core Courses (21 credits):
MKT 470 Integrated Marketing Communication
BUS 590 Business Topics
DES 499 Computer Applications for Graphic/Information Design
DES 501 Graphic/Information Design Theory I
DES 502 Graphic/Information Design Theory II
DES 520 Advanced History of Design
DES 598 Research Methods in Design

Specialization (9 credits):
DES 503 Graphic/Information Design Practice I
DES 504 Graphic/Information Design Practice II
DES 537 Advanced Design Internship

Directed Elective (3 credits):
DES, MIS, CS, COMM, MGT, MKT, BUS or ART courses as approved by advisor

Capstone (3 credits):
DES 597 Research Project (Plan C)
The capstone requirement is a research project supervised and approved by the graduate advisor and Graduate Faculty Committee. The research project also requires final approval by the dean, School of Graduate Studies.

Note: Students enrolled in the following courses will be assessed a $65 design Lab Fee: DES 436, 438, 439, 465,498, 499, 503,504, and 597, 598. Contact the department for additional information.

Note: Students are limited to six credits of DES designated course work per semester without permission of advisor and department chair.

Note: No more than nine credits at the 400 level, as approved by the graduate advisor, may be counted toward the graduate planned program of study.

For Graduate Application Materials:
CCSU Graduate Admissions: 860.832.2350

For Academic Advising:
Eleanor Thornton, Chairperson,
Department of Design 860.832.2623 or Thortone@ccsu.edu

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Master of Arts Degree, Information Design Curriculum

Fundamental Core Courses: 6sh
DES 501 Graphic/Information Design Theory I (3)
Prereq: Admission to graduate program in Information Design or permission of program coordinator. Critical analysis of the purpose and evolution of graphic/information design theory, integrity, and computer application. Includes problem solving. Fall. [c]

DES 502 Graphic/Information Design Theory II ( 3 )
Prereq: DES 501 and admission to graduate program in Information Design. Continuation of DES 501. Additional theory and applications. Technology, economic, and ethical issues will be explored. Spring. [c]

Professional Sequence: 12sh
MKT 470 Marketing Communications Campaigns ( 3 )
Prereq: MKT 306 (C- or higher); or permission of graduate advisor.
Applications of marketing communication theory. Students learn how an organization integrates its promotion mix elements to present a unified message, and then create a strategic promotion plan for a real client. On demand.

DES 499 Computer Applications for Graphic/Information Design ( 3 )
Prereq: DES 326 (with a grade of C- or higher) and DES 425 (with a grade of C- or higher) or permission of instructor. Study of the relationship of computer application in contemporary graphic/information design practice. Laboratory exploration of relevant software and its application in the field. Open to majors only. [c]

BUS 590 Business Topics ( 3 )
Prereq.: Graduate standing and permission of a business School department chair. Selected topics in Accounting, Finance, Management, MIS, or Marketing. Course content varies. May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of six credits. Irregular.

DES 520 Advanced History of Design ( 3 )
Prereq: DES 419 or permission of instructor. Advanced study of the history and philosophy of design. Topics include in- depth study of symbolic meaning, visual awareness as it applies to design, and the creation of visual language in design.

Seminar: 6sh
DES 537 Advanced Design Internship ( 3 )
Prereq: DES 503, portfolio review, and permission of instructor. Internship with professional graphic/information design organization. On demand.

Directed Elective (DES, BUS, MKT, MGT, MIS, CS, COMM or ART) ( 3 )

Research and Demonstration: 12sh
DES 503 Graphic/Information Design Practice I ( 3 )
Prereq.: DES 502. Applied design research and practice in graphic/information design. Emphasis on creativity, practical problem solving, technical proficiency, and presentation. Fall. [c]

DES 504 Graphic/Information Design Practice II ( 3 )
Prereq.: DES 503. Continuation of DES 503. Additional research and practice, portfolio, and presentation development. Spring. [c]

DES 598 Research Methods in Design ( 3 )
Prereq.: DES 520 or permission of instructor. Study of research methods unique to the professional practice of design. Includes discussion of issues pertaining to conceptual, visual, and technological research specific to the design process. Fall. [c]

DES 597 Research Project (Plan C) ( 3 )
Prereq.: DES 503, 598. Completion of 21 s.h. of planned program required. Preparation of the research project under the supervision of research project advisor. Acceptance of the research project by the Research Project Committee (selected by student with approval of research project advisor) is required.

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