Master of Fine Arts in Graphic and Interactive Design

The Master of Fine Arts in Graphic and Interactive Design 颈苍听迟丑别 is a two-year, STEM-certified 60-credit program that offers an immersive, research-driven experience in design. This program combines advanced design practices with deep critical inquiry, encouraging students to push the boundaries of traditional and digital media to address contemporary design challenges. The curriculum emphasizes leadership, innovation听and the exploration of form and interaction, preparing graduates to influence the future of design through impactful, socially conscious work.听

graphic design work produced by a student in the GAID MFA program.
Work by Graphic and Interactive Design MFA students

Why study graphic and interactive design at Tyler?听

  • Interdisciplinary curriculum: Tyler鈥檚 MFA program provides a balance of traditional and contemporary design approaches. Students explore a wide range of mediums, including image making, illustration, digital interfaces, motion design听and experimental typography. The curriculum emphasizes the intersection of form, visual storytelling, and interaction, encouraging students to explore how these elements can be combined in innovative ways. Learn more about the Graphic and Interactive Design MFA curriculum. 听
  • Leadership, entrepreneurship and professional development: Students are encouraged to develop leadership skills, preparing them for diverse career paths in academia, industry, and entrepreneurial ventures. The program integrates professional practice courses, allowing students to gain business acumen and strategic thinking. These experiences, combined with mentorship from faculty, enable students to acquire teaching positions, lead creative projects, launch their own ventures听or enter top design studios.听
  • Mentorship and real-world experience: Personalized mentorship from award-winning faculty helps students refine their visual voice and explore both practical and conceptual aspects of design. Real-world projects and collaborations with industry partners allow students to engage in hands-on problem-solving. Students are also encouraged to explore socially conscious design, addressing community needs and ethical challenges through their work.听
  • State-of-the-art facilities: Tyler鈥檚 advanced design studios and 51动漫鈥檚 research resources support students鈥 exploration of both traditional and digital techniques. The Digital Fabrication Studio offers tools such as laser cutting and 3D printing, while 51动漫鈥檚 resources as a leading R1 research institution provide additional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Read about the innovative facilities and studios you will use as a student at Tyler.
graphic design display.
Work by Graphic and Interactive Design MFA students

Graduate Outcomes

Tyler MFA graduates leave the program equipped with the skills to lead in many settings. Alumni have become prominent leaders in design studios, started their own entrepreneurial ventures and taken on academic roles in top institutions. The program鈥檚 focus on leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation prepares graduates to make a meaningful impact on the design field.听

Philadelphia as a Design Hub

Philadelphia鈥檚 vibrant design community provides MFA students with a living laboratory for experimentation. The city offers extensive opportunities for internships, networking听and professional development, and its proximity to New York City and Washington, D.C., makes it an ideal location for design exploration.

graphic design webpage by a student.
Work by Graphic and Interactive Design MFA students

Program Format & Curriculum听听

Graduate students participate in a rigorous, interdisciplinary practice that often involves projects such as design authorship, design for the screen, experimental design, illustration, motion graphics, packaging, publication design, social design and UX/UI.鈥

In addition to core courses, students have considerable flexibility and choice when selecting art history, studio elective classes, either within Tyler鈥檚 graduate curriculum or across the university. Critique and critical discourse are foundational to the program of study.

Some of the courses you will complete as part of the Graphic and Interactive Design MFA include the following.听听

  • 3D Modeling for Design 听

  • Design Activism 听

  • Design Research Methods 听

  • Design Theory听

  • Informational Storytelling 听

  • Lettering Design听

  • Motion Design听

Learn more about the coursework for the Graphic and Interactive Design MFA.

MFA Thesis Exhibition

The Graphic and Interactive Design MFA program culminates in a thesis exhibition, where students showcase their research, design work听and refined expertise. This capstone experience allows students to synthesize everything they鈥檝e learned, positioning them for leadership roles in design.听

Related Graduate Certificates听

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Tuition & Fees

In keeping with 51动漫鈥檚 commitment to access and affordability, this Master of Fine Arts听offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2024鈥2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,318.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,751.00 per credit

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TA-GID-MFA

Additional Program Information