MA Design Research, Writing and Criticism part-time track

The master’s degree in Design Research, Writing & Criticism (a.k.a D-Crit) empowers the next generation of critical thinkers through research that explores the contexts and consequences of design—perfect for those interested in charting new career paths with by-lined publications, teaching, and thought leadership. In addition to our full-time, nine-month MA, we are now pleased to offer a part-time, two-year track for prospective students who are seeking an alternative to full-time graduate studies. Significant scholarship funding is available for both full-time and part-time students.

Our alumni have gone on to hold top staff positions at publications including Metropolis, Domus, Dwell, Curbed, New York Magazine, Quartz, ArchDaily, Surface, PIN-UP, Architectural Record and The Architect’s Newspaper; at museums and institutions like MoMA, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Vitra Design Museum, Parsons, RISD, Storefront for Art and Architecture, Public Policy Lab, The Glass House, New Inc, and Art Omi; at tech companies such as Google, Adobe, and Squarespace; at design consultancies like IDEO, SYPartners, and Pentagram; at research-driven design firms, like Gensler, 2x4, and Selldorf Architects; and have founded their own start-up consultancies, publications, and podcasts, such as Superscript, Original Copy, CLOG, and Fazer Magazine.

The MA in Design Research, Writing and Criticism features an unparalleled core faculty of active professionals including design writer and critic Karrie Jacobs; artist, designer, and Black, Queer & Untold author Jon Key; PIN-UP co-founder Alex de Looz; author and award-winning design educator Steven Heller; podcast producer Leital Molad; author and essayist Jennifer Kabat; New York Review of Architecture publisher Nicolas Kemper; cultural critic and columnist Eric Schwartau; writer and documentarian Adam Harrison Levy; and Architectural Record editor-at-large Molly Heintz. ​​The department has been awarded a Google AMI grant for the 2025-26 academic year to launch a workshop in collaboration with Outland magazine on critical frameworks for the intersection of art, design, and AI.

Numerous guest lecturers and critics visiting the department per semester—such as designer and Cyberfeminism Index author Mindy Seu, PORTO ROCHA founders Leo Porto and Felipe Rocha, TED design curator Chee Pearlman, playwright Jeremy O. Harris, documentary filmmaker John Wilson, fashion designer Mike Eckhaus, Untapped design journal editor-in-chief Tiffany Jow, essayist and op-ed columnist Roxane Gay, curator and critic Mimi Zeiger, and design writer Diana Budds—connecting students to inspirational mentors and helping them forge active networks of potential employers and professional colleagues.

Attend an upcoming virtual info session and receive an application fee waiver. Application deadline: January 15, 2025.

Change the way you see the world. Change the way the world sees you.