Master of Science in Packaging, Identities and Systems Design

Creating value through design is an extraordinary ability that holds the potential to effect profound change. In our shared goal to design innovation and creativity, we focus on design across disciplines by centering sustainability, exploring physical, digital, and printed media within complex production systems. This STEM-designated program prepares students to make meaningful and impactful contributions across various design practices. It prepares students to enter a professional world fitted with a level of professional competency to join the community of next generation leaders in sustainable practices, packaging innovation, and integrated design systems. This multidisciplinary program explores real-world challenges to understand how designers can reimagine form-making, branding, and production frameworks.

We seek applicants who are highly motivated critical thinkers that can flourish in self-directed practice. We place value on epistemic curiosity and the desire to experiment with a variety of materials, technologies, forms, and techniques. Applicants must be able to work on multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, and energetically persist through challenges and difficulties in their research and design making. We do not require an undergraduate degree in design, in fact, we welcome applicants from diverse undergraduate studies who indicate a strong disposition toward advanced study in design. All applicants must submit a portfolio of work to be reviewed by an Admissions Committee composed of faculty. The portfolio must include:

1) A visual response to the prompt: What caring for an object means to you? We do not expect a polished submission but one that can be generated in a few hours of work.
2) A Minimum of 7 and no more than 10 examples of creative work including the visual response. This work may consist of visual explorations, design, research, and/or professional work and other relevant projects that demonstrate your interest and aptitude in design. Work included in the portfolio may be course assignments done in an undergraduate or graduate program, self-generated, or professional projects.

The applicant's portfolio should demonstrate creative potential and provide enough information about you to determine whether or not this program is appropriate for you. Up to six credits of qualifying courses may be required for applicants who do not meet all entrance standards, but whose applications indicate a strong aptitude for graduate study. Submit a portfolio online at pratt.slideroom.com

All applicants must submit a statement of purpose which should be no more than 500 words. In the text, you must discuss which of the program's Learning Outcomes (found on this page) resonates the most with you and how you imagine you might address it in your design praxis.

A TOEFL of 85 (internet and home test), TOEFL ITP Plus for China of 563, IELTS of 6.5, Cambridge English score of 176, or PTE of 57 is required for international students.