The University of Arkansas School of Art is now accepting applications for its two-year, tuition-free Master of Design in Communication Design program. This program combines studio-driven research, community engagement, and advanced design practice to prepare students for a career in design.
Located in a rapidly growing region near the headquarters of three Fortune 500 companies, students in the MDes program gain valuable professional experience through hands-on making and conceptual exploration. The program emphasizes a community-centered design focus, with students regularly collaborating with nonprofits, businesses, and cultural partners. Participatory and social-impact experiences are integrated into the curriculum to provide students with real-world design opportunities.
The MDes program offers a unique blend of intensive design studios and seminar courses. Students have the opportunity to explore emerging technologies, speculative design, design futures, and social-impact work. Special topics courses such as Design and Communities, Design and Futures, and Design and Technology allow students to delve into specific areas of interest.
Students in the MDes program have access to world-class facilities, including the Studio and Design Center, the AT2D Lab, and the Design Clinic. These facilities provide students with the tools and resources they need to complete their projects. Additionally, every MDes student receives a full tuition waiver and graduate assistantship.
Upon graduation, MDes students have pursued various roles in academia, UX/UI design, product design, community-based design, nonprofit work, design strategy, research, creative leadership, and entrepreneurial ventures. The multidisciplinary training provided by the program equips graduates with the skills needed to succeed in a variety of design roles.
The MDes program continues to evolve to keep up with the changing trends in design and technology. Faculty research in AI, identity, equity, sustainability, maternal health, community design, speculative design, and improvisation-based methods inform the curriculum, ensuring that students develop the creative agility needed to thrive in the design industry.
Applications for the Master of Design in Communication Design program at the University of Arkansas School of Art are open until January 15th. For more information, interested individuals can contact graduate director Ryan Slone at rslone@uark.edu or visit art.uark.edu.
