The Master of Fine Arts in Information Design and Data Visualization program uniquely combines design training and analytical methods with distinctive approaches to theoretical, visual, and technical aspects of visual communication. Successful graduates gain expertise in the visual and technological languages of data, applying modes of visual cognition, and using analytics tools to create interactive, data-driven communication and installations.
This design-centric program seeks to prepare graduates to collaborate across a variety of fields and settings, crossing the bridge between technology, public communication, and systems design. Successful graduates are prepared to be professional information designers and data visualization experts in design agencies, research institutions, industry, and public institutions, able to lead and collaborate in this dynamic and burgeoning interdisciplinary field of practice and research. Students also are well positioned to pursue PhDs and academic careers. Students have the unique advantage of studying at a major research university known for interdisciplinary collaboration located in Boston—a global center for technology, science, education, and culture—offering diverse opportunities for practice and research in information design and data visualization.
The MFA-IDDV curriculum includes studio courses and seminars in graphic, information, and interaction design; creative inquiry; research methodologies; data literacies; and visualization technologies. It integrates faculty instruction with visiting artists and researchers. The degree requires 60 credit hours over two academic years, with an option to engage in Northeastern’s renowned co-op program. A thesis project, a written thesis, and an accompanying work exhibition in the thesis show are required.
Learn more about IDDV projects, students, and faculty at northeastern.edu/visualization.
Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.
Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | ||
| ARTG 5100 | Information Design Studio 1: Principles | 4 |
| ARTG 6100 | Information Design Studio 2: Dynamic Mapping and Models | 4 |
| ARTG 6700 | Design Studio 3: Synthesis | 4 |
| Theory and Research Methods | ||
| ARTG 5310 | Visual Cognition | 4 |
| ARTG 5320 | Statistics for Design | 4 |
| ARTG 5330 | Visualization Technologies 1: Fundamentals | 4 |
| ARTG 6110 | Information Design Theory and Critical Thinking | 4 |
| Design and History | ||
| ARTG 5110 | Information Design History | 4 |
| ARTG 5130 | Visual Communication for Information Design | 4 |
| ARTG 5150 and ARTG 5151 | Information Visualization Principles and Practices and Information Design Critique Seminar | 4 |
| Thesis | ||
| ARTG 7100 | Critical Design and Research Seminar | 4 |
| ARTG 7910 | Design Project and Exhibition | 4 |
| ARTG 7990 | Thesis | 4 |
Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| In consultation with faculty advisor, complete two courses from the following (one of the electives can be chosen from any Northeastern graduate courses): | 8 | |
| Research Methods for Design | ||
| Visualization Technologies 2: Advanced Practices | ||
| Notational Systems for Experience | ||
| Prototyping for Experience Design | ||
| Design for Behavior and Experience | ||
| Design of Information-Rich Environments | ||
| Information Design Mapping Strategies | ||
| Special Topics in Design | ||
| Special Topics in Art and Design Studio | ||
| Telling Your Story with Data | ||
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
60 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required
Sample Two Years, Optional Summer Co-op
| Year 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer Full Semester | Hours |
| ARTG 5100 | 4 | ARTG 5310 | 4 | Co-op or vacation | 0 |
| ARTG 5130 | 4 | ARTG 5320 | 4 | ||
| ARTG 5150 | 3 | ARTG 6100 | 4 | ||
| ARTG 5151 | 1 | ARTG 6110 | 4 | ||
| ARTG 5330 | 4 | ||||
| 16 | 16 | 0 | |||
| Year 2 | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| ARTG 5110 | 4 | ARTG 7910 | 4 | ||
| ARTG 6700 | 4 | ARTG 7990 | 4 | ||
| ARTG 7100 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||
| Elective | 4 | ||||
| 16 | 12 | ||||
| Total Hours: 60 | |||||
Sample Three Years, Co-op in Fall
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ARTG 5100 | 4 | ARTG 5310 | 4 |
| ARTG 5130 | 4 | ARTG 5320 | 4 |
| ARTG 5150 | 3 | ARTG 6100 | 4 |
| ARTG 5151 | 1 | ARTG 6110 | 4 |
| ARTG 5330 | 4 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Co-op | 0 | ARTG 7100 | 4 |
| ARTG 6700 | 4 | ARTG 7910 | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | ||
| 4 | 12 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Hours | ||
| ARTG 5110 | 4 | ||
| ARTG 7990 | 4 | ||
| Elective | 4 | ||
| 12 | |||
| Total Hours: 60 | |||
Sample Three Years, Co-op in Spring
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ARTG 5100 | 4 | ARTG 5310 | 4 |
| ARTG 5130 | 4 | ARTG 5320 | 4 |
| ARTG 5150 | 3 | ARTG 6100 | 4 |
| ARTG 5151 | 1 | ARTG 6110 | 4 |
| ARTG 5330 | 4 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ARTG 5110 | 4 | Co-op | 0 |
| ARTG 6700 | 4 | ||
| ARTG 7100 | 4 | ||
| 12 | 0 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Elective | 4 | ARTG 7910 | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | ARTG 7990 | 4 |
| 8 | 8 | ||
| Total Hours: 60 | |||
Sample Three Years, Two Co-ops
(Research co-op track)
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ARTG 5100 | 4 | ARTG 5310 | 4 |
| ARTG 5130 | 4 | ARTG 5320 | 4 |
| ARTG 5150 | 3 | ARTG 6100 | 4 |
| ARTG 5151 | 1 | ARTG 6110 | 4 |
| ARTG 5330 | 4 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ARTG 7100 | 4 | Co-op* | 0 |
| Co-op | 0 | ||
| 4 | 0 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ARTG 5110 | 4 | ARTG 7910 | 4 |
| ARTG 6700 | 4 | ARTG 7990 | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | ||
| Elective | 4 | ||
| 16 | 8 | ||
| Total Hours: 60 | |||
*The second co-op must be a research-oriented co-op related to the thesis after completion of ARTG 7100 with the permission of the program coordinator.