Information Design and Data Visualization, MFA (Boston)

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 Information Design and Data Visualization.

Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.

Core Requirements

Course List

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 5120	Research Methods for Design	4
ARTG 5710	Design for Dignity	4
Thesis
ARTG 7100	Critical Design and Research Seminar	4
ARTG 7910	Design Project and Exhibition	4
ARTG 7990	Thesis	4

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; multiple completions of ARTG 5000 may apply toward the elective requirement):		8
ARTG 5000	Topics in Design
ARTG 5100	Information Design Studio 1: Principles
ARTG 5120	Research Methods for Design
ARTG 5130	Visual Communication for Information Design
ARTG 5150	Information Visualization Principles and Practices
ARTG 5151	Information Design Critique Seminar
ARTG 5430	Visualization Technologies 2: Advanced Practices
ARTG 5620	Notational Systems for Experience
ARTG 5640	Prototyping for Experience Design
ARTG 5710	Design for Dignity
ARTG 6310	Design for Behavior and Experience
ARTG 6330	Information Design Mapping Strategies
ARTG 6555	Graphic Design Synthesis
EXRE 5020	Developing Extended Realities (XR)
EXRE 5030	Designing Extended Realities (XR)
JRNL 6341	Telling Your Story with Data

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

60 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required

Sample Plans of Study

Two Years, Optional Summer Co-op

Year 1
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer Full Semester	Hours
ARTG 5100	4	ARTG 5120	4	Co-op or vacation	0
ARTG 5110	4	ARTG 5330	4
ARTG 5310	4	ARTG 6100	4
ARTG 5320	4	ARTG 6110	4
	16		16		0
Year 2
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
ARTG 5710	4	ARTG 7910	4
ARTG 6700	4	ARTG 7990	4
ARTG 7100	4	Elective	4
Elective	4
	16		12
Total Hours: 60

Three Years, Co-op in Fall

Year 1
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
ARTG 5100	4	ARTG 5120	4
ARTG 5110	4	ARTG 5330	4
ARTG 5310	4	ARTG 6100	4
Elective	4	ARTG 6110	4
	16		16
Year 2
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
ARTG 5320	4	ARTG 7910	4
Co-op	0	ARTG 7990	4-8
		Elective	4
	4		12-16
Year 3
Fall	Hours
ARTG 5710	4
ARTG 6700	4
ARTG 7100	4
	12
Total Hours: 60-64

Three Years, Co-op in Spring

Year 1
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
ARTG 5100	4	ARTG 5120	4
ARTG 5110	4	ARTG 5330	4
ARTG 5310	4	ARTG 6100	4
ARTG 5320	4	ARTG 6110	4
	16		16
Year 2
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
ARTG 5710	4	Co-op	0
Elective	4
	8		0
Year 3
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
ARTG 6700	4	ARTG 7910	4
ARTG 7100	4	ARTG 7990	4
		Elective	4
	8		12
Total Hours: 60

Three Years, Two Co-ops

(Research co-op track)

Year 1
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
ARTG 5100	4	ARTG 5120	4
ARTG 5110	4	ARTG 5330	4
ARTG 5310	4	ARTG 6100	4
ARTG 5320	4	ARTG 6110	4
	16		16
Year 2
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
ARTG 5710	4	Co-op2	0
Co-op1	0
	4		0
Year 3
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
ARTG 6700	4	ARTG 7910	4
ARTG 7100	4	ARTG 7990	4
Elective	4	Elective	4
	12		12
Total Hours: 60

¹

The second co-op must be a research-oriented co-op related to the thesis after completion of Design Studio 3: Synthesis (ARTG 6700) with the  permission of the program coordinator.