The Graduate Media Design Program seeks individuals who want to use design to understand and change the world. We are looking for risk-takers with diverse interests, self-starters who can integrate innovative design with intellectual investigation, who can synthesize theory and practice, and who can research personal interests with depth, intelligence, empathy and passion. Applicants must have earned, or be in the process of completing a bachelor's degree.

For complete application instructions, visit the Application and Portfolio Requirements page for Grad Media Design on the Art Center College of Design website.

DEGREE TRACKS

Applicants apply directly to one of the two tracks in Graduate Media Design: Media Design Projects (MDP) and Media Design Matters (MDM).

In the Media Design Projects track, students work in a studio context, using design to pose questions through applied and speculative projects that engage with emerging communication technologies and cultural practices.

In the Media Design Matters track, students work in a real-world context where social justice, public policy, media infrastructure, and communication technology intersect. The track is run in collaboration with Designmatters, Art Center’s social impact department.

For more information on the two tracks, visit the curriculum structure page.

2-YEAR AND 3-YEAR PATH

For either track, students can apply for either a 2-year or 3-year course of study.

For the 2-year path, we look for applicants with exceptional training and experience in the visual, spatial, interactive and graphic design fields who can realize high-level concepts with skill in visual communication and interactive design.

For the 3-year path, we accept both accomplished and burgeoning designers from a broad range of backgrounds. Applicants with degrees in fields such as philosophy, computer science, or biology—to name just a few—bring valuable perspectives to the practice of design. We welcome applicants from all domains. The 3-year path offers the deepest engagement with the program.

Students are placed by the application review committee into either the 2-year or 3-year path based upon their resume, design portfolio, statement of intent and stated preferences on the Media Design Supplemental Application Form.

For a specific breakdown of the curriculum on a year-by-year basis, visit the curriculum structure page.