Interested in an MFA in social design? There’s still time to apply for Fall 2023!

There are still a few seats left to be a part of next cohort of creative leaders.

DSI is a graduate social design program asking:

How can design offer pathways that shift us towards healthy, equitable systems?
What conditions and collaborations enable communities, systems, and nature to thrive?
How can social design increase care and our capacity
for change?

Social design
works with communities, organizations, governments, businesses, and the planet through:

Strengthening Relationships + Care

Advocating for health, equity, anti-discrimination, justice, joy, and healing, Supporting shared values and interdependence, and honoring nature’s wisdom.
Design asks questions over solving problems, with care.

Intentionally
Co-Creating

Collaborating with communities, advocating for mutual benefit and abundance. Centering lived experience, while reducing harm.
Design can shift power, while building leadership and creatively responding.

Embracing Complexities

Breaking from things that no longer serve us. Recognizing the continuum and pluralities, and making the invisible visible.
Design supports new thinking over new things to imagine possibility and lead with vision.

DSI MFA Program

Thesis Show

Congrats MFA DSI Class of 2023!

MFA DSI Class of 2023 presented their meaningful thesis projects that center community partners and collaborators to co-create for change. Our annual Thesis Show was held on May 11, 2023 at the SVA Theatre. Join us in celebrating this year’s connections and collaborations.

Click on button below to watch the show!

Watch Now

Projects

MFA DSI Thesis Show 2023

Our fabulous fifteen students share their inspiring thesis projects.

Designer in Residence

Kimberly Tate, Embodied Design Collaboratory

Embodied research, practitioners, and design creatives share approaches and pollinate the field of social innovation with body-informed frameworks and methods.

Blog

Miya Osaki on "Centering Care in Design"

Hear Miya Osaki in conversation with Dr. Moya Bailey in the latest episode of Digital Alchemy. Miya talks about her experiences working in systems of care, both in the healthcare industry and in her role at the School of Visual Arts.

Listen Now

MFA DSI Thesis 2023

MFA DSI Thesis 2023

Out, Within, and Beyond

Yikun Wang

This project delves into the evolving identities and relationships of Chinese gay men, exploring the conflict between societal expectations and self-acceptance while emphasizing the transformation in family dynamics and understanding.