The Department of Digital Art and Design offers three different STEM graduate programs that integrate critical inquiry, applied research, and emerging technologies within creative practice. Rooted in New York Institute of Technology's mission of career-oriented professional education and access to opportunity, our programs support research that benefits industry, culture, and society.
The M.A. in UX/UI Design and Development prepares designers to shape intelligent and adaptive interaction systems within rapidly evolving digital environments, while the M.F.A. in Graphic Design and Media Innovation remains grounded in the integration of theory, technology, and studio practice. The M.S. in Digital Product Design focuses on the creation, management, and growth of digital products within technology-driven ecosystems. Across all graduate programs, students balance conceptual rigor with technical fluency, cultivating a perspective that connects design, technology, and professional practice.
Our program combines product strategy, user research, innovation frameworks, and advanced technology integration. Students develop expertise in intelligent systems, automation, spatial and immersive technologies, and data-driven product development, preparing them to lead interdisciplinary teams and translate complex technological capabilities into viable, market-ready solutions.
The Digital Product Design program is crafted to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge for success in digital product design within an increasingly AI-driven and automation-enabled product ecosystem. Our curriculum focuses on creating and managing digital products, with an emphasis on emerging and future technologies and the principles of user-centered design (UCD), design thinking (DT), human-computer interaction (HCI), the Internet of Things (IoT), prototyping, wireframing, usability testing, information architecture, and design research, while evolving toward human-centered and human-AI interaction frameworks that address intelligent and adaptive systems.
Moreover, students delve into cutting-edge technologies, including machine learning, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), voice interfaces, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), through real-world projects, as well as intelligent automation, adaptive interfaces, and data-informed product ecosystems. Upon completion, students excel in aligning digital products with business needs, enhancing marketability, and meeting user demands, emerging as innovative problem solvers in digital design capable of designing systems that respond to user intent, behavior, and contextual data.
In essence, our program equips and empowers students with the skills and knowledge essential for excelling in digital product design in a digital ecosystem that supports industry, commerce, and education, including environments shaped by AI agents, intelligent platforms, and automated workflows. The program focuses on providing students with expertise in various aspects of digital product design, including user-centered design principles, emerging technologies, and effective product management strategies, integrating product strategy, ethical innovation, and systems thinking. Completion of this degree program prepares graduates to actively contribute to the creation of innovative and user-centered digital products across diverse industries.
Program Objectives
By the conclusion of the program, students will:
- Demonstrate the ability to establish connections and apply their understanding of user-centric design and ethical innovation principles, including responsible AI integration and data-informed decision making.
- Attain advanced knowledge in innovative technology integration and the adoption of emerging technologies, including AR/VR and voice interfaces, as well as intelligent automation and AI-enabled interaction systems.
- Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in product development, growth design, entrepreneurship, and market expansion, within rapidly evolving digital markets shaped by intelligent technologies.
Students in the program attain advanced knowledge in integrating innovative technologies such as Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), voice interfaces, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into digital product design, enhancing functionality and user experience. Through a combination of theoretical coursework and hands-on projects, students develop the skills needed to create, manage, and innovate digital products that align with business needs and user demands, emphasizing emerging technologies, design innovation, and design thinking, including adaptive, intent-aware, and system-level design approaches. Building upon the diverse and multidisciplinary nature of New York Tech, the department fosters collaboration and joint research, drawing expertise from various disciplines into the design process.
Graduates of the program are prepared to pursue careers in a dynamic technology sector, including roles as product managers and digital product designers. Through a focus on product management, integration of technologies, strategic growth, and market expansion, and proficiency in product development and entrepreneurship, students are prepared to excel in creating innovative and user-centered digital products, contributing to industry advancement and entrepreneurial initiatives, particularly within AI-driven, platform-based, and intelligent product ecosystems.
Back to Top Admission Requirements
- B.F.A. degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
Application Materials
- Completed application
- $50 nonrefundable application fee
- Copy of college diploma or proof of degree
- M.A. supplementary application (see instructions below)
- International student requirements: English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE), I-20, and transcript evaluation
M.A. Supplementary Application
Once you complete the online application, you are required to submit a supplementary application. To upload, you will need to include the application ID number which you will receive after submitting your online application. Each student is limited to one portfolio submission. Additional submissions will not be considered until the following fall semester.
The supplementary application includes:
- Digital portfolio (recommended but not required) that showcases your best work through a wide range of media. Portfolio should contain 15–20 high-quality digital images and/or a sample reel of animation/video (max. three minutes).
- Description sheet of the contents of the portfolio (required only if submitting portfolio) detailing each work with a title, brief description, measurements or duration, and date of completion. Collaborative work must be individually identified and credited as such.
- Curriculum vitae/résumé which should include a summary of academic and professional history and achievements, including research, awards, and exhibitions.
- Personal statement: A statement of purpose of 300 to 500 words, which should include academic/career objectives and creative intent. The statement of purpose should also indicate your anticipated area of study.
- Letters of recommendation (optional)
Formats
- All artwork must be submitted in PDF file format.
- Description sheet, cv/résumé, and artist statement must be in PDF file format.
- Animation/video work (max. three minutes) must be included as a link to an uploaded file on YouTube, Vimeo, or a personal website. Please include the URL in your description sheet.
- All submitted materials must be in English, including all file names, credits, and letter of recommendations.