Design Degrees Online

Interdisciplinary Studies: Graphic Design Emphasis is similar to a Plus Two program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree. It prepares graduates for professional careers in such fields as graphic design, printing, advertising, public relations, and marketing. Graphic Design embraces a variety of disciplines including the humanities, sciences, and natural sciences. While students wishing to enter the program may choose from a variety of courses in related disciplines, one highly successful option is to combine the Graphic Design curriculum with the Printing Technology program. During the fi rst two years of study, the student follows the pattern sheet for Printing Technology and earns an Associate of Science degree. In the remaining two years, the student makes use of the Graphic Design pattern sheet to complete a Bachelor of Science degree. Students may also decide to utilize the flexibility of Interdisciplinary Studies to develop their own individual components of printing and graphic design course work. Upon completion of Interdisciplinary Studies: Graphic Design Emphasis, the graduate will be familiar with fundamentals necessary for the preparation of business and technical communications; multiple-page layout design by utilizing photography and typography; and the application of colors, textures, and forms in achieving aesthetic and controlled composition.

About the course

This MA Design course is open to the designer, architect, artist or theorist, working in the field of the 3-D environment, who wishes to extend and redefine the theoretical and practical base of their subject at an advanced level.

The main component of the course is the personal project, supported by a core programme of lectures, seminars, and other events that focus on contemporary issues. The core programme comprises taught units of study, covering research methodology, contemporary design theory, digital media techniques, design practices and interdisciplinary studies. The MA personal project is your individual programme of work, developing an appropriate area of design expertise. This may be specialist or interdisciplinary, but should extend the boundaries of design through an exploration of methods, techniques, ideas and themes. The MA Design personal project is composed of three units of study: research, development and realisation. Each unit contains written and practical elements to develop work that is both philosophically reflective and technically accomplished. The final project may be either a design or a theoretical proposition supported by research and development work. The end of the course is concerned with the publication and dissemination of your MA project work. In this final phase you will work with practicing professionals to identify future audiences for your ideas and prepare yourself for the next stage of your career.
Project proposals

The course offers a flexible full time mode of study and can be completed over 1 or 2 years enabling those in work to realistically undertake postgraduate study. The Rochester campus offers MA students their own dedicated facilities including fully equipped digital workstations, seminar and tutorial space together with a full range of specialist workshops for making and production.

Yes, admission to the major is only possible in the fall semester. The applicant must meet all curricular requirements mandated by the university for entering students. Courses in studio art or other creative areas are strong encouraged because they help the student develop creative potential as well as critical judgment.

What courses would I take?

During your first year in the program, you will gain a strong foundation in design principles and graphic communication. You will also concentrate on the Miami Plan, a well-rounded course of study that provides you with an excellent liberal arts education. Through the Miami Plan, you will get a solid base in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, fine arts, and formal reasoning. You meet first-year Miami Plan requirements in interior design by taking a special series of courses offered in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies (Western College Program). These include Creativity and Culture, Social Systems, and Natural Systems.

The second and third years introduce you to history and theory, computer-aided design, human factors, materials, and furniture design. These support the design studio courses that you will be taking. During the summers following these two years, you may pursue for-credit internships and gain practical experience.

Your fourth year becomes more self-directed. In the fall, you will take a comprehensive studio where you undertake a single, semester-long project where you handle all of the phases of a job and bring the project to completion. In the spring semester, you will take a senior thesis studio where you concentrate on a project of your own choosing. This may be a real-life project in conjunction with a firm or a community organization.

What can I do with this major?

Most graduates work in commercial interior design firms, architectural firms, or furniture dealerships. Other graduates choose to pursue careers in facilities management, historic preservation, retail sales, or teaching.

Who can I contact for more information?

For general information about Miami University, please contact:

Core Curriculum

At the heart of a Mount education is the Core Curriculum, designed as an interdisciplinary Liberal Arts and Sciences foundation. Graduates possess not only the professional skills necessary for success in the workplace, but also qualities associated with a liberally educated person able to thrive in a complicated and diverse world. Some of those skills are thinking critically and creatively, communicating effectively, appreciating the complexity of human behavior, knowing the relation among various ethical systems, and appreciating the relationship of Roman Catholicism to other belief systems.

As part of the required 52 credit hours in the Core Curriculum, freshmen begin with a three-credit Foundations Seminar (interdisciplinary studies) course. Later, students take another three credits with an advanced-level interdisciplinary course. A majority of the credits of the Core Curriculum are distributed among discipline-specific courses that expand concepts introduced in Foundations Seminar. Students choose from courses in humanities, social sciences, history, natural sciences, mathematics, religious studies, philosophy, and ethics.

Why study this course at the University of Cumbria?

This unique programme gives you experience in ceramics, embroidered textiles, printed textiles, constructed textiles, mixed-media textiles and millinery, with supporting practical studies in 3D mixed-media, photography and information technology. Our philosophy is one of learning-through-making, meaning your engagement with and manipulation of materials are integrated with theory. The applied arts resources and equipment are excellent; specialists give you valuable technical support.
What is this course about?

Our induction programme gives you an introduction to ceramics, printed textiles, embroidered and constructed textiles. To stimulate innovative thinking, we encourage cross-fertilisation of materials and subject areas including mixed-media, photography and information technology.

You gain expertise in the use of colour, texture, pattern and form. Technical demonstrations build your confidence and the lectures underpin and enhance contextual awareness.

In the second year you study either one pathway or a combination of two, chosen from—embroidered textiles, ceramics, constructed textiles, printed textiles, surface design or millinery.

You are encouraged to participate in at least one external live project to gain experience of contemporary working practices. This can often result in prestigious opportunities for career development. The live project is accompanied by a series of lectures to enhance your professional development, skills and knowledge. Further projects develop personal concepts alongside advanced techniques and processes. Drawing remains a fundamental aspect of your visual research.

During the final year your work is self-directed with a negotiated learning agreement, developing your interests in preparation for your career. Interdisciplinary studies continue throughout this year. The ability to transfer skills across materials results in innovative design solutions.

You undertake research towards an extended essay or research report, and this—together with the negotiated project—leads up to the final degree show. Planning, organising and marketing an exhibition of your work involves teamwork and enhances your professionalism.
What do our students say?

” I’ve emerged from this course with a range of creative and practical skills and a breadth of experience, which is already proving valuable in the employment market.” Mhairi Fleck, 2006 graduate
What can the course lead to?

Many graduates become self-employed applied arts practitioners, or designer/makers working for design agencies as freelance designers. You may work in community arts, teaching practical workshops or working as an artist-in-residence. Some students go on to postgraduate art education or find roles in museums, craft galleries and other roles related to the arts.