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  • Communication Design MPS

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    Brendan Griffiths, Program Director

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  • In an increasingly digital world, designers are often challenged to create technology-driven products and services for a variety of platforms and human needs. The master’s program in Communication Design, with a concentration in Digital Product Design, offers you the cutting-edge conceptual design methods and technical skills you need to meet this growing marketplace demand. This specialized course of study provides coding experience and involves a range of collaboration and teamwork strategies.

    Program Highlights

    • Design for the Digital Age

      Explore the full product development cycle — from idea conception and pitching to prototyping to post-launch analyses of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI).

    • Sophisticated Strategies

      Learn to develop creative problem-solving strategies for relaying messages, information, and ideas by integrating design thinking, aesthetics, and technology.

    • Coding and Collaboration

      Develop competence in industry-standard technologies, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and gain experience navigating partnerships with teams and clients.

    • NYC Innovation Economy

      Be part of New York City’s growing tech and start-up sector, where the Internet, mobile technologies, social media, and big data are expanding resources and opportunities.

    • Applicant Profile

      The program is tailored to designers who have an existing design practice in graphic and visual communications and are seeking to develop specialized skills in digital product design.

    • Degree Master of Professional Studies (MPS)
    • Format Full-time, on campus
    • Credits 30
    • Duration 1 year
    • Other program status STEM-designated

  • Curriculum

    The full-time course of study is built on four components: instruction in advanced core design competencies; practices and methods courses; external partnerships, and the core studio sequence. You explore innovative composition and visualization methods, interaction design, typography, and industry best practices.

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  • Career Paths

    Graduates of the MPS Communication Design develop their own unique, forward-looking aesthetic anchored in professional skills that include entrepreneurship, strategic working methodologies, and contemporary prototyping. Alumni pursue careers in interaction design, user experience (UX) design, user interface (UI) design, digital product design, and product management.

  • Student Work

    See Our Work

  • Parsons faculty represent a broad range of expertise and are acknowledged as leading practitioners and scholars in their fields.

  • Beyond the Classroom

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      Research Labs

      Research is integral to the Parsons learning experience, and students and faculty work together to challenge existing paradigms and advance emerging scholarship and practice. Explore the thematic research laboratories housed at Parsons and throughout The New School.

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      Industry Engagement

      Connect to the organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurs driving global creativity and commerce. In classes, internships, and extracurricular projects, you gain marketable problem-solving skills in sectors ranging from government and nonprofits to tech and creative industries.

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      Internships

      New York City’s thriving creative industry and cultural institutions are part of your Parsons education. Our Career Services Office is enmeshed in the art and design industries and can help you advance your career with industry-oriented internships. 

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      Funded Opportunities

      Funds are earmarked for graduate travel, research, and work to support your study. Opportunities include paid teaching assistantships, research fellowships and assistantships (including ones offered throughout The New School), ample student employment, and other grants available to U.S. domestic and international students alike.

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      Making & Academic Resources

      Enjoy access to extensive resources including New School libraries, computer labs, archives, and studios, along with Parsons’ state-of-the-art Making Center, facilities offering a broad array of tools to support your creative and academic growth.

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    Undergraduate Adult Learners

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    Graduates

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