Graphic Design
Mailing Address:
School of Design (MC 036)
929 West Harrison Street
Chicago, IL 60607-7038
Campus Location: 106 JH
Program Code:
20FS0148MDES
Telephone: (312) 996-3337
Web Site: http://adweb.aa.uic.edu/web/?program
Director, School of Art and Design: Marcia Lausen
Director of Graduate Studies:
Dianna Frid
Academic Advisor: Chevonne Totten-Garner
E-mail: ctotte1@uic.edu
The Master of Design (MDes) in Graphic Design is a two-year degree program focused on an independent masters research project that offers students the opportunity to identify and explore a topic of inquiry with the potential to contribute to broader disciplinary knowledge.
The program is equally concerned with making and thinking. Through project-oriented activities that foster analytical competence in research, writing, design history, and image theory, the curriculum is designed to deepen process-oriented skills as applied to typographic forms/systems, image-/form-making, documentation/publication design, and digital media design. The MDes in Graphic Design is an international program delivered in Chicago or Basel, Switzerland. Chicago-based students participate in the Basel School of Design summer workshops. The program culminates in a public exhibition of the master's research project.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Transcripts of all undergraduate and any graduate work must be submitted. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements for the School of Design.
Master of Design
- Baccalaureate Field No restrictions; however, individuals who apply must demonstrate an advanced level of competence in graphic design through their portfolio submission.
- Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study.
- Tests Required None.
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL 580 (paper-based); 92, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
- IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.
- There is a two-part application process and two separate locations of submission of application materials.
- Office of Graduate Admissions online application portal via http://www.uic.edu/depts/oar/grad/apply_grad.html
- Graduate Application
- Graduate Application Fee $60
- Unofficial Transcript
- TOEFL/IELTS (for international students only)
- School of Design Slideroom via: http://uicdesign.slideroom.com/
- Personal Statement Required. This statement of purpose should outline the applicant’s current or previous work as relevant to plans and objectives for advanced study; describe professional goals and how these goals were developed; and state why the applicant would like to study in a research-oriented design program.
- Portfolio Applicants must submit a portfolio of no more than 20 examples of current work demonstrating proficiency in the area of graphic design. Competence and understanding of design-related computer technology, including proficiency in industry standard page layout, illustration, and photographic manipulation programs. Prerequisites and/or technical experience specific to this field of study may be required prior to entrance.
- CV/Resume Required.
- Letters of Recommendation Three required.
- Deadline The application deadline for this program is February 1; contact the School of Design for more information.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:
Master of Design
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 64.
- Course Work Required Courses:
- First year: 4 hours of DES 500—Combined Studio; 4 hours of DES 501—Research Seminar I; 6 hours of DES 502—Research Seminar II; 4 hours of DES 510—Advanced Graphic Design I; 4 hours of DES 511—Advanced Graphic Design II; 4 hours of DES 512—Documentation Studio.
- Second year: 4 hours of DES 500—Combined Studio; 8 hours of DES 520—Design Seminar; 4 hours of DES 540—Research Studio; 4 hours of DES 541—Masters Research Project and Exhibition; 2 hours of DES 542—Masters Research Project Advising; 0 hours of DES 597—Master’s Project.
- Electives: At least 16 semester hours of graduate-level electives are required, at least 8 of which must be from within the college.
- Comprehensive Examination None.
- Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Master's Research Project required. No other options are available.
- Project: All MDes candidates must present for review a public exhibition or showing of their project. The project must be supported by a major paper and digital documentation of the project, both of which must be presented to the school for archival purposes.
- Other Requirements Continuation in the MDes program beyond the second semester requires an evaluation and recommendation of the Graduate Advisory Committee in the student’s area.
