Is the M.A. in Strategic Design the Right Program for You?

Choosing the right graduate program to set you up for a creative career can be an intimidating decision to make. Everyone wants to ensure that they are on a successful career path, but the stigma that exists around the arts can often dissuade people from following their passions. Furman University’s M.A. in Strategic Design (MASD) answers these fears for its students. This unique program was created for creative individuals to have success in the business world. Whether your interests lie in design, copywriting, or art direction, the MASD is a fitting compliment to a wide variety of undergraduate backgrounds, even those outside of the arts. 

 

WHY WAS MASD STARTED?

Space exists for creatives to thrive within the business world, and Furman’s MASD program is designed for career minded individuals to enhance their creative skill set and succeed in professional environments. Those with undergraduate experiences in all areas of study have potential to bring to the table. Our students not only come from studio art and graphic design backgrounds, but also business, communications, english, psychology, religion, sustainability, and many more. MASD students enter the workforce with an advantageous skill set giving them the opportunity to be strategic leaders in a broad range of areas. 

The leadership at Furman University have taken an active role in developing programs that equip students for the future, and the MASD is a natural product of their desire to prepare graduates. To illustrate, Forbes Magazine lists creativity as one of the top ten in-demand skills for the next ten years.  According to Forbes, “Creative thinking, like coming up with new ideas, problem-solving, imagining beyond the status quo, and implementing ideas to fix issues and make things better, will be critical in the workplace of the future.”

 

WHAT TYPES OF STUDENTS ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

“The types of students I’m looking for are the curious ones,”  says long time art professor and co-creator of the MASD program, Ross McClain, “I want students who want to make a difference, who are aspirational and motivated. Students who are enticed by a wandering imagination and want to make a living off of it.”

Prospective students questioning whether or not Furman’s MASD is the right program for them should know that having an ounce of creativity can take them a long way. There is a career the MASD program is waiting to set in motion for them. 

 

DO YOU NEED AN ART OR DESIGN BACKGROUND TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE PROGRAM?

To directly answer this question, no. You do not need an art or design background to be successful in the program. Students from a variety of artistic levels flow through each class alongside students with other sets of strengths and weaknesses.

The “Intro to Design” class provides a fundamental baseline reset for everyone to understand good design. It also equips students with the technology and software skills necessary to be successful in the courses. “It does you good to know these things,” Ross McClain says, “even though it can be uncomfortable, and there will be plenty of people more talented than you.” 

The fact that some students will be more talented than others should not intimidate anyone out of pursuing this degree. Current MASD students come from diverse educational backgrounds and are comfortable with working with students who are further along in their design abilities. Simran Goel, a current MASD student from India, said, “Even if you don’t have any experience in art or design, you can still do it because our cohort is willing to help each other out, as we have learned each other’s strengths and share ideas.”

“Everyone brings in their own skills, knowledge, and experiences.” says Oliver Smith, another MASD student, “It all gets dumped in this massive compost heap and it all gets mixed up, which is how we get good work to grow out of that.” 

 

WHAT OTHER SKILLS DO STUDENTS TAKE FROM CLASS INTO THEIR CAREERS?

Each class in Furman’s MASD program actively feeds into the next.  Communication is another top ten skill that carries through every class and into the field. 

“Everybody has to be able to communicate and write,” says Emily Price, instructor of the Argument and Visual Narrative class. “Whether you’re writing an email or creating a pitch or presentation, regardless of what specific creative job you have, you’re always going to participate in communication,” she added. In a creative career, you’ll have to get your feet wet in all areas. Price, who also works as an expert consultant in creative and strategic marketing, elaborated, “In my job, I’m writing, designing, and building strategy – all of which requires communicating.” 

Another top ten skill and a key ingredient to good design is empathy, knowing how to truly hear a client’s or customer’s story and understanding all perspectives. Price explains that exposing yourself to people’s stories and hearing about different walks of life is what builds empathy and conveys the power to change someone’s mind. Furman’s MASD program provides its students with that exact opportunity. 

In Price’s classes (Argument and Visual Narrative / Art of Story), students have to allow themselves to become more vulnerable through discussing different life experiences and creating work around them.

“I try to instill some level of hope,” says Price. “The world is just this void, but at the same time, this creative process can be freeing. What if everything is just what we make of it as humanity?” The social responsibility involved in content creation is very important to Price because its not just about making connections with audiences, but also shaping culture. 

 

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HAVING A CAREER IN DESIGN OR BRANDING? 

Furman University’s Master of Arts in Strategic Design is a resourceful program that provides students with the necessary skills to have a successful career in branding and design. For more information about Furman University’s Master of Arts in Strategic Design program, click HERE.