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Academic Catalog 2021-2022

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  • Information Design and Data Visualization, MFA

Information Design and Data Visualization, MFA

2021-2022 Edition

  • Undergraduate
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    • General Admission and Transfer Credit
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    • College of Arts, Media and Design
      • Academic Policies and Procedures
      • School of Architecture
      • Art + Design
        • Experience Design, MFA
        • Information Design and Data Visualization, MFA
        • Experience Design, MS
        • Game Science and Design, MS
        • Information Design and Data Visualization, MS
        • Game Experience Design, Graduate Certificate
        • Game Science, Graduate Certificate
        • Experience Design, Graduate Certificate
        • Information Design and Visualization, Graduate Certificate
      • School of Journalism
      • Interdisciplinary Programs
    • D'Amore-​McKim School of Business
    • Khoury College of Computer Sciences
    • College of Engineering
    • Bouvé College of Health Sciences
    • School of Law
    • College of Professional Studies
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    • Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership
    • Faculty
    • Appendix
  • Course Descriptions
  • Catalog Archives
  • Overview
  • Program Requirements
  • Plan of Study

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

Course List
Code Title Hours
Studio
ARTG 5100Information Design Studio 1: Principles4
ARTG 6100Information Design Studio 2: Dynamic Mapping and Models4
ARTG 6700Design Studio 3: Synthesis4
Theory and Research Methods
ARTG 5310Visual Cognition4
ARTG 5320Statistics for Design4
ARTG 5330Visualization Technologies 1: Fundamentals4
ARTG 6110Information Design Theory and Critical Thinking4
Design and History
ARTG 5110Information Design History4
ARTG 5130Visual Communication for Information Design4
ARTG 5150
and ARTG 5151
Information Visualization Principles and Practices
and Information Design Critique Seminar
4
Thesis
ARTG 7100Critical Design and Research Seminar4
ARTG 7910Design Project and Exhibition4
ARTG 7990Thesis4

Electives

Course List
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
ARTG 5120
Research Methods for Design
ARTG 5430
Visualization Technologies 2: Advanced Practices
ARTG 5620
Notational Systems for Experience
ARTG 5640
Prototyping for Experience Design
ARTG 6310
Design for Behavior and Experience
ARTG 6320
Design of Information-Rich Environments
ARTG 6330
Information Design Mapping Strategies
ARTG 6900
Special Topics in Design
ARTE 5901
Special Topics in Art and Design Studio
JRNL 6341
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
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer Full SemesterHours
ARTG 51004ARTG 53104Co-op or vacation0
ARTG 51304ARTG 53204 
ARTG 51503ARTG 61004 
ARTG 51511ARTG 61104 
ARTG 53304  
 16 16 0
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHours 
ARTG 51104ARTG 79104 
ARTG 67004ARTG 79904 
ARTG 71004Elective4 
Elective4  
 16 12 
Total Hours: 60

Sample Three Years, Co-op in Fall

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHours
ARTG 51004ARTG 53104
ARTG 51304ARTG 53204
ARTG 51503ARTG 61004
ARTG 51511ARTG 61104
ARTG 53304 
 16 16
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHours
Co-op0ARTG 71004
ARTG 67004ARTG 79104
 Elective4
 4 12
Year 3
FallHours 
ARTG 51104 
ARTG 79904 
Elective4 
 12 
Total Hours: 60

Sample Three Years, Co-op in Spring

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHours
ARTG 51004ARTG 53104
ARTG 51304ARTG 53204
ARTG 51503ARTG 61004
ARTG 51511ARTG 61104
ARTG 53304 
 16 16
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHours
ARTG 51104Co-op0
ARTG 67004 
ARTG 71004 
 12 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHours
Elective4ARTG 79104
Elective4ARTG 79904
 8 8
Total Hours: 60

Sample Three Years, Two Co-ops

(Research co-op track)

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHours
ARTG 51004ARTG 53104
ARTG 51304ARTG 53204
ARTG 51503ARTG 61004
ARTG 51511ARTG 61104
ARTG 53304 
 16 16
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHours
ARTG 71004Co-op*0
Co-op0 
 4 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHours
ARTG 51104ARTG 79104
ARTG 67004ARTG 79904
Elective4 
Elective4 
 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.

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