Master of Design (MDes)

Founded by László Moholy-Nagy as The New Bauhaus in 1937, IIT Institute of Design (ID) is known for pioneering human-centered design and systems design. We believe today’s designers must move fluidly between strategic thinking and creative doing. ID’s STEM-designated Master of Design program is a two-year degree for people who want to become strategic designers. Through collaborative projects, students learn to build offerings and service systems that address complex business, civic, and social challenges. Exploring options through rigorous prototyping and critique, students identify directions that provide value, prompt action, and support sustainable change. Upon graduation, students are ready to make a significant impact in the private, public, or nonprofit sector. Students with no formal design training are encouraged to apply. Accepted students join a cohort of people from around the world with varying disciplinary backgrounds. The Master of Design is a two-year degree for people who want to become strategic designers. Through collaborative projects, students build offerings and service systems that address complex business, civic, and social challenges. Students with no formal design training are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and are required to submit transcript(s), full mark sheets, and degree/diploma certificates from each institution attended - regardless of whether or not a degree was earned - as well as three letters of recommendation, a portfolio, statement of interest, and a resume or curriculum vitae. There is no minimum work experience requirement, although two to four years of professional experience is preferred. ID considers full-time internships, volunteer work, and freelance projects as formal work experience. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for any applicant with an undergraduate degree from an institution where the primary language of instruction is not English. We do not require a GRE or GMAT score for any application. However, if you have a score you would like to submit we are happy to include that in your application evaluation. We will accept either the GRE or the GMAT.