Master of Fine Arts - Interaction and UI/UX Design

The MFA program provides advanced study for students pursuing a career in web design and new media. Progress in the MFA degree is measured through a rigorous process, both at the midpoint and final reviews. Studio courses develop creative and technical acumen, with attention to mastering user experience design, while advanced courses provide a focused learning environment for building final thesis projects. Students will graduate with a portfolio and comprehensive thesis project showcasing their talent. Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria: MFA Thesis Project Present a clearly defined design project worthy of the MFA degree Provide proof of concept demonstrating the feasibility of the project Produce a final thesis project demonstrating design thinking, visual communication and technical skills Design Thinking Gather, analyze and apply the information necessary to develop design solutions centered on real target users Demonstrate thorough knowledge of thesis topic and identify resources for content development Create interactive architecture to effectively support the needs of the project’s functionality Visual Communication Effectively utilize grid, hierarchy, typography, color, and composition Apply the above design principles to effectively implement/display interactivity appropriate to the project Technical Abilities Demonstrate an understanding of current interactive technologies by identifying appropriate technical tools to implement a core component of the thesis project Establish and document the technical scope of the thesis project User Experience Demonstrate a realistic consideration of potential users Develop final testing plan based on initial explorations Apply testing results to refine projects throughout the design process, documenting key iterations along the way Professional Readiness Effectively articulate and defend ideas and process Accurately cite or credit sources used to develop thesis proposal, project, and presentations Demonstrate organizational skills in the thesis proposal and record of thesis project development process Develop and demonstrate the skills required for the chosen professional path, as demonstrated in the thesis project, portfolio and personal website *Note App Fee Waiver in effect for ApplyBoard to reduce the application fee to $50*