About the Division

NSCAD’s design programs teach students to communicate and solve problems across a broad range of media. Students develop a well-rounded approach to design in fields ranging from print design to product development, from interactive media to information architecture. Critical thinking and the expression of the imagination are equally important. Design courses involve the application of practical skills, such as photography and drawing, to the solution of challenging problems, as well as academic skills including research, design theory and history.

As the discipline of design exerts a greater influence on our lives, designers find themselves working closely with other professionals, in fields such as marketing, software development, engineering and education. NSCAD's design programs equip students with the skills and knowledge to participate in all aspects of the practice of design.

Why Choose NSCAD Design?The Interdisciplinary Design program combines communication, interaction and product design. Students who graduate from our program typically take positions in design firms or agencies as junior designers. Many later advance to become art/creative directors or strike out on their own to establish their own design companies.

Our philosophy is that design is an approach that is useful in a broad range of endeavors that at first glance seem to have nothing to do with design. Design students who are happiest at NSCAD appreciate the broad educational experience that involves much more than just training in the software and production methods of the day. Most design programs emphasize certain specializations (such as graphic design or industrial design), and if you are interested in having a specialization, NSCAD is probably not right for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a program that takes a global view of design and the role of the designer in the world today, you'll enjoy what we have to offer.