MA in Design in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

The Master of Arts in Design program at Cornell University spans two years with a focus on individual-centered approaches. Faculty and students share a deep conviction in design's ability to nourish the human experience while promoting wellness. This discipline represents creative expression dedicated to humanity—a practice blending innovation with social responsibility. Designers bear an obligation to their audiences, requiring every choice to uphold ethical, sustainable, and well-considered design principles in society. The program unites specialists across multiple domains including interior, industrial, and graphic design, architecture, art history, urban planning, engineering psychology, ergonomics, and facility management to address challenges within built environments. The MA Design program operates on core foundations: Evidence-based research must inform spatial design decisions. Environmental configurations influence both personal and institutional behaviors. Diverse users possess varying requirements shaped by factors like gender, life stage, family dynamics, and organizational contexts. Design must prioritize human betterment, examining how environmental elements—from lighting to furnishings—impact behavior, comfort, and quality of life. The curriculum explores how personal and institutional aspirations materialize physically, alongside examining designers' societal obligations.