School of Web Design & New Media

MFA Program Learning Outcomes

The objective of the Web Design & New Media graduate program is to transform students into creative leaders and visionaries. The program provides instruction in digital tools, concept development, research, critical thinking, aesthetics and user experience. Students apply these skills to design innovative interactive designs for mobile and web. The program culminates in a thesis project that demonstrates critical thinking and design skills, clear delivery to a target audience, innovative access of information and creative use of interactivity. Students will enter the field well equipped with a portfolio that meets the demands of the industry.

MFA graduates of the School of Web Design & New Media will meet the following student performance criteria:

• MFA Thesis Project

  • Produce a final thesis project demonstrating strong critical thinking and design skills, clear delivery to a target audience, innovative access of information and creative use of interactivity.

• Concept

  • Originate a concept that addresses real user need and is currently unavailable in the market/industry.
  • Provide a plan to implement novel ways for user interaction with content.
  • Address a relatively unexplored content area that would engage users interactively.
  • Provide a proof of concept.

• Research + Critical Thinking

  • Provide a thorough comparative and competitive analysis.
  • Demonstrate sufficient command of the domain/topic of their thesis project.
  • Identify resources for content.

• Aesthetics (Type + Design)

  • Demonstrate effective visual communication (e.g. type, color, grid, layout, hierarchy, legibility).

• Usability

  • Appropriately define the target audience.
  • Produce an Information Architecture plan of an interactive product that addresses user needs & interests.
  • Provide intuitive access of information for the target user.

• Technical Ability

  • (Midpoint) Conduct an accurate assessment of skills necessary to carry out their proposed project.
  • Demonstrate competence and skills in the execution of the thesis project.
  • Execute scripting according to commonly accepted coding practices
  • Apply appropriate code libraries, frameworks and functions to engage the user interactively
  • Demonstrate familiarity with server side technology as appropriate for project goals
  • Implement client side technology according to web standards.

• Presentation Skills

  • Effectively articulate their project in a convincing manner.
  • (Midpoint) Demonstrate their potential strengths in carrying out the proposed project, through their portfolio.

• Professional Readiness

  • Develop and demonstrate the skills required for their chosen professional path, as demonstrated by their thesis project, portfolio and personal website.
  • Demonstrate organization skills in their thesis proposal and the record of their project development process.

Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
2. Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
3. Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
4. Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
5. Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
6. Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
7. Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.

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