Integrated Design & Media, M.S. | NYU Tandon School of Engineering

Integrated Design & Media, M.S.

Technology, Culture and Society
Master of Science
On Campus
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The Integrated Design & Media (IDM) program (formerly known as Integrated Digital Media) fosters creative practice, design research and multidisciplinary experimentation with emerging media technologies. As a research-active program within NYU Tandon School of Engineering, IDM faculty collaborate in research that integrates digital media and society. Our projects range from using motion capture technology to reimagine theatrical performance, to developing novel uses of virtual/augmented reality for health and wellness, to the integration of STEAM learning into special needs education, to the development of citizen science tools to empower NYC residents to monitor and report on noise pollution in their communities, to helping NASA JPL develop next-generation user interfaces for space exploration, to assisting with the search and visualization of the historical record of New York City.

Our faculty include leading artists, designers, developers and performers who passionately engage in professional work and research at the intersection of engineering and creative practice.
 

Research and Outreach

Graduate students in IDM participate fully in research initiatives through our partnerships with other programs and schools at NYU Tandon, the Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP), NYU, and other NYC institutions. 

  • The ABILITY Project supports research in client-centered, assistive technology and adaptive design for people with disabilities.
  • The Laboratory for Living Interfaces aims to understand how the design decisions of architects, city planners, and material scientists affect the ubiquitous living component of the spaces we inhabit: the environmental microbiome.

Some of our top research areas include:

  • Assistive Technology
  • Augmented Reality
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Motion Capture
  • Real-Time Performance
  • Social Activism
  • User Experience

Internships and Careers

From industry giants to fast-paced startups, the most competitive companies in the world seek NYU Tandon School Of Engineering graduate students. Below is a small sample of some of the places our IDM students have interned or worked at:

Companies

  • ABC Network
  • American Express
  • Apple Corporate
  • Bank of America
  • EMI Music
  • Facebook Inc.
  • Google
  • HTC China
  • LG Electronics
  • Major League Gaming
  • New York Stock Exchange
  • Simon & Schuster Incorporated
  • Wunderman/Y&R Advertising

Careers

  • Multimedia Artist
  • Video Editor
  • Graphic Designer
  • Sound Designer
  • Web Designer/Developer
  • Game Developer
  • Mobile Application Developer
  • User Experience (UX) Designer
  • Creative Director

Admission

Priority Deadline: December 1st

Regular Admission: February 15th 

The following items are required for admission:

  • Online Application + $90 application fee
  • Transcripts from all previously attended institutions
  • Letters of Recommendation (minimum of 2)
  • Personal Statement
  • Resumé/CV
  • Portfolio of Creative Work (as PDF or website)
  • TOEFL or IELTS Scores (for international applicants only) (school code: 2668)
  • Interview (on skype or in person) with faculty and administration, if requested

Find out more about Admission Requirements.*

*No GRE is required for the Graduate IDM application

All graduate applications need to be submitted through the School of Engineering Office of Graduate Admissions.

Questions? Email [email protected]

Submit a portfolio of your creative work as a PDF. If you have materials online that you wish to use, please provide a PDF with a URL to your website.

Distinguish Yourself!

Give us a strong sense of who you are and how you articulate your work. Record yourself in a one-minute long video describing a project from your portfolio. Example talking points may include : why did you work on this project, what did you learn from the experience, what was your role (if a collective effort). We do not want broad generalizations about your passion for a topic, but a concrete, engaged, and personal description. This video should be as unique as you — think of it as an extension of your portfolio. We receive many videos where applicants talk about IDM. Don't do that! Use this opportunity for your personality to come through as you talk about your own work.

Post to Youtube or Vimeo and share the link for viewing. We strongly encourage you to post this unlisted or password protected and share the password with us in your application materials.

If you require accommodations for either the portfolio or video requirements, please contact [email protected] to discuss.

Curriculum

The IDM curriculum combines project-based learning with the study of historical, legal and philosophical aspects of emerging media. We emphasize the development of skills applicable to a broad spectrum of media through individual and collaborative work. Guest lectures and conferences supplement our curriculum and maximize students’ personal contact with leaders in various sectors of the following fields: business, advocacy, service, entertainment, and education. The program culminates in a thesis that combines theory and practice to showcase students’ creative and technical abilities.

That blend of theory and practice defines our program. It's what we mean by "integrated" — the powerful combination of emerging media and technology, creative mastery, and critical thinking. 

You must complete 30 credits to obtain a Master of Science in Integrated Design and Media.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
COURSE LIST
SAMPLE PLAN OF STUDY