Department of Design
The Department of Design at Thomas Jefferson University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees that provide students with a human-centered and systems-thinking approach to design, preparing them to develop innovative solutions that respond to real human needs.
From physical objects and visual brands to digital interfaces and cinematic animations, students gain the skills to design the world around them. Our curriculum balances theory and practice, combining conceptual exploration with hands-on projects, giving students practical experience across a range of design disciplines.
Our graduates are often recruited by top-tier global firms and innovative startups. Faculty and students work closely with designers from leading employers, ensuring graduates have the knowledge and experience needed to thrive in dynamic design professions.
Mission
Grounded in human-centered design philosophy, we equip students to create products, services and systems that shape how people interact with the world. The department is founded on the belief that thoughtful design can improve lives, drive meaningful change and solve real-world problems.
Department of Design Highlights
- Practical, human-centered and industry-centered curriculum
- Hands-on learning and collaboration with renowned designers
- Expert faculty who are active industry professionals
- Multiple study abroad opportunities, including Italy (and our Jefferson Italy Center), Germany, Denmark, India, Costa Rica, Spain, Japan, New Zealand and Malawi
Welcome to the Department of Design
Neil Harner, MBA
Director, MS in User Experience & Interaction Design
Chair, Department of Design
Watch Video: I am a Visual Communication Design Major
Expert Faculty
The department’s expert faculty offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs designed to help students achieve their professional goals and prepare for their future careers. As active industry practitioners, our faculty members bring unique expertise and real-world insight to the classroom, to integrate practice with everyday learning. We are committed to delivering the highest quality design education possible, with diverse opportunities—from collaboration with industry professionals to research and study abroad—that provide students with the knowledge and tools they need to become successful design professionals.
Interdisciplinary & Industry Collaborations
In the Department of Design, we don’t believe in isolating creativity. Unlike traditional art and design schools, our programs are part of a major university known for innovation in medicine, engineering, architecture, sustainability and business.
We approach design as a collaborative team sport. By merging human-centered design with real-world market, technological and societal needs, our students don't just create beautiful concepts—they build viable solutions to complex global problems.
Interdisciplinary Projects
Design doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The hallmark of a Jefferson design education is the ability to work across boundaries. Students share common courses and collaborative studios that blend diverse design disciplines.
Beyond the department, students engage in university-wide projects, collaborating with future clinicians, engineers, business strategists and architects. This unique environment ensures students can speak the language of business, science and technology, preparing them to solve complex human problems.
Industry-Sponsored Projects
We bring the industry directly into the studio. Students regularly collaborate on projects sponsored by a network of corporate, tech and non-profit partners. These corporate partnerships challenge students to design within practical constraints, managing emerging technologies, materials science and market viability.
Internships & Career Opportunities
Our strong connections to regional businesses, long-standing industry partnerships—both inside and outside the classroom—and a vast network of alumni help keep students deeply connected to the professional world. Students are encouraged to begin seeking internships after their second year of study to gain vital on-the-job experience, which can be completed over the summer or substituted for degree credit.
Because our graduates learn to work alongside their peers in medical, engineering and business disciplines, they graduate well prepared for the fast-paced demands of corporate, cultural and agency environments. This combination of real-world experience and academic learning allows our students to transition into impactful creative roles at a range of companies, from innovative boutique agencies to some of the world's largest global corporations.
Our Partners, Internship Hosts & Employers
From classroom collaborations to full-time career placements, Jefferson design students and alumni work with the world's leading organizations:
- Global Tech & Commerce: Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Yahoo, HubSpot, The Walt Disney Company, QVC, Verizon, Comcast
- Healthcare & Innovation: Philips Medical, Johnson & Johnson, Midwives for Haiti, Health Union
- Media & Publishing: The New York Times, NBC Universal, GQ Magazine, Chronicle Books
- Finance & Corporate: Bank of America, Vanguard
- Manufacturing & Engineering: Vaisala Instruments, Konecranes, Dunmore Corporation, Construction Specialties Inc., Federal-Mogul Systems Protection, Unifi Manufacturing
- Top-Tier Creative Agencies: Think Company, Mobiquity, FourFront, O3 World, EPAM Systems, Push10, J2 Design, Archer Group, 20nine, Bailey Branding Consultants, Cohere, Cooper Graphic Design
- Cultural, Community & Global Partners: Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Science Leadership Academy, Franklin Institute, Nathan Sports, Aalto University (Helsinki), Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Research
Students and faculty collaborate across dozens of disciplines to perform significant research that advances the built environment and society. We are home to several leading-edge research institutes, centers and labs, including:
Institute for Smart & Healthy Cities
Supporting the research innovation and education across the university, focusing on transforming urban environments into smart and healthy cities.
Promoting user-driven, transdisciplinary research leveraging creative technologies for social change.
Lab for Urban & Social Innovation
Uniting communities, students, faculty and stakeholders in collective action through real-world design, construction and environmental projects.
Synesthetic Research & Design Lab
Serving as a collaborative research and prototyping platform where interactive design and emergent health sciences meet.
Center for Immersive Arts for Health
Bringing together artists, designers, researchers and healthcare clinicians, the center serves as a living laboratory where creative practice meets scientific inquiry.
