Created in the Lyle School of Engineering and first offered in 2015, the multidisciplinary Master of Arts in Design and Innovation (MADI) degree program is a joint program of the Lyle School of Engineering and the Meadows School of the Arts, and as such, it is housed in and administered by both schools. Students in this program earn one degree that is supported by both schools.
This project-based program focuses on teaching Human-Centered Design skills and processes of creative thinking and problem-solving in a multidisciplinary and applied setting. The degree is grounded in the methodologies of Human-Centered Design, including Design Research, Design Thinking, problem definition frameworks, idea generation and rapid prototyping. The program involves coursework in theories of design, 2D and 3D tools, innovation processes, and project-based design studios focused on real-world design challenges. Additionally, the degree allows for coursework in electives outside of the Lyle and Meadows Schools to build cross-disciplinary experiences and knowledge. This degree is for students seeking to become more versatile thinkers regardless of their disciplinary background, a design background is not required for admission. Students who earn this degree are well-suited for future careers in the public and private sector focused on Design Research Strategy, Design and Innovation Consulting, Design Research and Experiential Design practices among other areas.
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the Lyle School of Engineering degree requirements, candidates are required to hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution of standard collegiate rank recognized by the accrediting agencies in whose jurisdiction the college is located or to be in the final year of an accredited bachelor’s degree program. Students must submit two letters of recommendation and a personal statement to fulfill the admission requirement process.