Interdisciplinary design
for innovation
Department of Design
Dive into the world of design at York, where you’ll turn complex ideas into powerful, real-world experiences. Our program lets you explore paths like Information Design, Interaction Design and Visual Communication, all within a hands-on, studio-focused environment. With small classes, a supportive community, and access to top industry connections—including companies like Google, Meta, and Shopify—you’ll graduate ready to make your mark in the design world.
Programs Offered
Design
Available to these degrees: BDes Specialized Honours
Evaluation Process: Portfolio Review
Degree Duration: 4 years
Entry Options: Fall
Master of Design (MDes)
The Graduate Program in Design emphasizes design research through practice and an interdisciplinary approach to graphic design. We explore disciplinary inquiry that expands the possibilities of how we think about visual communication, and human-centred methods to address many of the issues facing society today.
(Program on hold for 2024/25)
Master of Arts in Design Research (MA in Design Research)
For designers who want to energize their practice, the MA in Design Research’s 3-semester applied emphasis allows a student to immediately transfer what they learned into the workplace. The MA shares the same curriculum as the first year of the MDes program but culminates in a 1-semester Major Research Project or Major Research Paper completed under the guidance and support of a supervisor rather than a 12-month thesis. The MA program helps students develop the applied research expertise needed in today’s workforce and offers practical and attainable means of developing a strong, forward-thinking contemporary practice. Students sharpen their design skills, gain exposure to design research methods, and learn to articulate the value of design-based innovation.
Student & Alumni Testimonials
The thing I enjoy about the Design program is that it's super hands-on. The professors, TAs and instructors are amazing and accommodating. It’s a small program, so I know everyone and everyone is really lovely. For students interested in applying, I really encourage you to start creating pieces that represent who you are as an artist and take advantage of events that York.
Ashley Loyst
Third-year Design Student
I chose AMPD because it has a diverse group of creatives who are like-minded to myself. What makes my program unique is the broad range of courses that allow Design students to branch off to different streams. The most valuable thing I have learned so far in my program is to not be afraid of experimentation. By taking leaps of faith and not being scared to try new things, I have received the chance to experience streams within my major that are offered outside of my comfort zone, including package design, motion design, and branding. These experiences and challenges have contributed to my academic and creative pursuits by allowing me to learn and grow as an aspiring artist and designer in Toronto.
Kesha U
Fourth-year Student in the Design Program
I chose the York MDes program because I saw the benefits of doing a Master's degree within a larger research institution with a multitude of different resources and supports. What I really enjoy about the program is that it is largely self-directed. It is a playground where you are allowed to ruminate on your ideas, explore possibilities, and shape your academic experience based on your interests. Your instructors provide you guidance to put you on the right path but that path is largely constructed by you.
Rupsha M
MDes Candidate in the Graduate Program in Design
The Design program provided me with several opportunities to practice professionally and prepare me for my graphic design career. These opportunities span from doing a co-op in my third year, learning about the business of design in Design Management, participating in hackathons with my classmates and more.
Caitlin Lewis
Graphic Designer, Division of Students, York University
The Design program at York has been instrumental in shaping my professional journey. The incredible variety of courses spanning both print and digital design, alongside the guidance of dedicated faculty, inspired me to grow as a multidisciplinary designer.
Andrea Abello
Digital Specialist, EUC, York University
As a proud graduate of York University’s Design Program, I am deeply appreciative of the exceptional calibre of professors and coursework that have prepared me for a professional career in design. Transitioning from corporate roles at Samsung and Toshiba Canada to the non-profit sector at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, and presently, within the educational sector at York U, the design school has prepared me to seamlessly navigate across diverse professional environments.
Nesha Kumana
Marketing and Design Officer, AMPD, York University
AMPD Virtual Tour: Discover Our Facilities
Explore our studios, performance spaces, and creative labs — all from the comfort of your screen. Get a feel for life at York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design.
Featured News & Events
AMPD students bring Toronto’s love of basketball to life through AR
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A new course at AMPD is shaping the next generation of sustainability leaders
York University AMPD Researchers Awarded Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Development Grants for 2024
Department Highlights
Customizable pathways. Information Design, Interaction Design, and Visual Communication, enhanced by courses in design history, theory, and criticism.
Student-centred learning environments. Applied, studio-based learning, small class sizes, and dedicated facilities prepare students for entry into the design field and graduate education.
Peer-to-peer community building. The Design Students Association (DSA) actively creates community among the Design student body through events, workshops, peer mentoring, and annual studio tours in major cities.
Experiential education. From international exchanges to research assistantships with large project teams, there are opportunities across campus to enrich design education.
Valuable work experiences. Our students benefit from placements in professional design settings.
Strong industry connections. Our award-winning students are sought out by local and international companies, including Amazon, Google, IBM, Meta, Shopify, and other top design, branding, and UX agencies.
FAQs
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Your portfolio should comprise 10 to 12 samples of original work that demonstrate a wide range of ideas and competency with different media and tools. At least one piece in your portfolio should present word(s) and image(s) that communicate a message.
In addition to the types of work listed below, 8-10 images from a sketchbook or concept/idea book are required. Your portfolio should contain your best work from at least 3 of the following areas (areas 1-6 are highly recommended for inclusion):
- Two-dimensional design work e.g. designs for posters, logos, letterheads, book/magazine covers and interior page spreads.
- Typography e.g. poetry or words using an expressive font or page layout, typeface designs, expressive lettering, projects with text settings designed for clear communication. Drawings and experiments with typographic form.
- Interactive media e.g. web site design and/or other interactive work.
- Motion graphics e.g. video or animation using images and typography. Short pieces with a strong message are preferred.
- Drawing & Illustration e.g. direct observational drawings are preferred (not drawn from photographs). Imaginative drawing is also welcome. It is good to demonstrate the use of a wide variety of media (pen & ink, charcoal, pastel, coloured pencil, marker pen, collage, digital drawings).
- Photography e.g. B&W prints, colour prints, hand-tinted prints, digitally manipulated.
- Painting e.g. representative and/or non-representative in oil, acrylic, watercolour, gouache.
- 3D Design/Sculpture e.g. scale models from plan drawings, craft and fibre experiments.
The sketchbook or concept/idea book is a very important component of the portfolio. It should contain a variety of studies and examples of your media/tools experiments and demonstrate an exploration of visual and annotated ideas, comments and critiques. It will represent a variety of things that interest you and the ongoing development of ideas. Include 8-10 pages from your sketchbook as a single file.
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Typically, the applicant selects the art pieces to include in their portfolio from school-assigned projects, independently developed art projects, extra curricular art classes or professional work where appropriate. Any original artwork developed by the applicant can be included in the portfolio.
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Show only work which reflects your strengths – both creative and technical. After you upload your portfolio files, add a title to each piece. This will help the reviewer in understanding your portfolio work. Please limit your titles to a maximum of thirty (30) characters.
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Typically, the applicant selects their pieces to show in their portfolio from school assigned projects, personal interest projects (e.g. a book cover you designed on your own for your favourite novel), ideas (sketchbook, concept/idea book, etc.), development/variations of ideas (design process documentation), extra curricular art/design classes and professional work where appropriate.
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To apply directly to the Design program from an Ontario high school, you must meet specific academic requirements. For a complete breakdown of these criteria, please review the details on our How to Apply page and select your program.
Need More Information?
If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to connect with us. Our team is here to help! You can also schedule a visit to see our campus in person.