Digital Design is emerging as a distinct discipline that will continue to have a major impact on the design world, as well as the global economy. The skill sets and critical thinking necessary to fully realize the potential of this continually evolving field require a specific and unique course of study for the digital designer.
Philadelphia University offers the Digital Design student a unique opportunity to study in an interdisciplinary atmosphere. Fundamental to being successful as a member of the interdisciplinary design team is the knowledge and skill to manipulate digital technology to communicate ideas, visualize design proposals and share information.
The predominant feature of the Master’s in Digital Design is the development of new and innovative ways to work as a team in shaping the electronic environment.
The M.S. in Digital Design program emphasizes the following:
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Competence in digital technologies.
- A dynamic, non-linear educational environment in which students understand the overarching principles of digital technologies so they are able to adjust to and determine future technological directions in the workplace.
- The importance of collaborative and interdisciplinary work as fundamental to the success of graduates in the digital design field.
- A strong understanding of and appreciation for cultural diversity as fundamental to the design student’s ability to serve society in a responsible and meaningful way.
- The adaptation of teaching and learning practices as a response to the possibilities afforded by new media.
The M.S. in Digital Design program concludes with a capstone final research project. In this synthesis studio, students will develop a final, working prototype of a product, service, entertainment or publication of their choice that synthesizes all of their knowledge and skill from the previous semesters. The final project will demonstrate marketability and/or successful functionality within the larger community. This project will prepare the student to enter the rapidly expanding field of digital design by closely emulating the professional digital design environment. It will prepare the student to enter a profession that requires innovative designers with the ability to work within a collaborative interdisciplinary team.
Admissions Criteria M.S. in Digital Design
2-Year Program
Undergraduate design degree highly recommended. Applicants must demonstrate a high degree of technical proficiency in interactive design as well as an ability to conceptualize and produce at a sophisticated level of communication. The background for this skill set could come from significant professional experience and/or previous study. An interactive design portfolio is necessary, along with a letter of intent specifying the student’s goals for the period of study.
3-Year Program
Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of and aptitude for design or the visual arts, either through professional experience and/or previous study. A portfolio demonstrating the candidate’s creativity is required, along with a letter of intent specifying the student’s goals for the period of study. The initial courses in this track are an appropriate foundation for students who have a background in the visual disciplines but would benefit from additional design or interactive experience before they start the final years’ coursework. In some cases students from other disciplines who demonstrate a particular aptitude for design could also be accepted in the program.
Curriculum Sequence
Because of the interdisciplinary emphasis of the Digital Design program, it is anticipated that prospective students will come from various backgrounds and levels of expertise. The program is designed to accommodate these different backgrounds by offering two distinct curricular sequences as outlined on the next page. This post-professional program is open to students who already possess an undergraduate degree or professional experience in design. They must demonstrate a high level of technical and conceptual competency in a core group of technological abilities including digital video production, web page design and CD-ROM authoring and/or 3D modeling and rendering.