Exhibition and Experience Design
NYSED: 29386 CIP: 50.0799
The full-time MFA program in Exhibition and Experience Design provides a holistic view of the industry that draws on myriad disciplines—exploring theory, methods, techniques, and technologies needed to create experiences in any venue—from museums and branded environments to interactive digital and public spaces. The curriculum is a blend of theory, field, and studio work, and focuses on designing narrative environments rooted in human psychology. Students collaborate throughout the MFA in an interdisciplinary manor developing skills in design thinking, narrative creation, concept development, spatial design, experiential graphics, evaluation methods, lighting, model making, sustainability, social justice and inclusivity, accessibility and universal design practices, community engagement, emerging technologies and integration, prototyping methods, project management, entrepreneurship, international business development, and professional practices in the exhibition and experiential design industry.
Working closely with industry partners, students embark on real-world professional projects and studio-based competitions with local and international firms, museums, and public facilities. Students may elect to intern at exhibition venues, such as design firms, design and production facilities, retail sites, or museums. The program culminates with an individualized thesis project and academic paper for publication that draws on critical research in alignment with major industry innovations and current practices. Curriculum is for the entering class of fall 2026.
Christina Lyons, Associate Chair
christina_lyons@fitnyc.edu
fitnyc.edu/exhibitiondesign
| Fall - Semester 1 | ||
| ED 567 | Exhibition and Experience Design History and Evolution | 3 |
| ED 568 | Spatial Experience Design and Integrated Technologies I | 3 |
| ED 569 | Exhibition Audience & Narrative Experience Studio | 3 |
| ED 570 | Experiential Graphics and Branding | 3 |
| ED 571 | Illuminating the Exhibition Experience | 3 |
| Spring - Semester 2 | ||
| ED 574 | Design for Social Justice and Community Engagement | 3 |
| ED 575 | Spatial Experience Design and Integrated Technologies II | 3 |
| ED 576 | Dynamic Branding and Accessible Experiential Graphic Design | 3 |
| ED 577 | Sustainability in Experience Design and Practice | 3 |
| ED 584 | Exhibition and Experience Design Development and Evaluation | 3 |
| Summer Session 1 Optional | 0-2 | |
| Internship: Graduate Level | ||
| Fall - Semester 3 | ||
| ED 523 | Exhibition Design for the Museum Setting | 3 |
| ED 542 | Exhibition and Experience Design Graphics | 3 |
| ED 601 | Phenomenology and Exhibition Object Encounters | 3 |
| ED 602 | Applied Thesis Research and Project Initiation | 3 |
| ED 675 | Spatial Experience Retail Design and Integrated Technologies III | 3 |
| Spring - Semester 4 | ||
| ED 690 | Exhibition Model/ Prototype Making and Integrated Technologies: Capstone | 3 |
| ED 691 | Project and Qualifying Paper: Capstone | 3 |
| ED 693 | Project Management and Business Development | 3 |
| ED 694 | Spatial Experience Design and Integrated Technologies IV: Capstone | 3 |
| ED 695 | Exhibition and Experience Design Graphics: Capstone | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60-62 | |
Optional Noncredit Seminar
Existing and incoming students have the opportunity to take optional noncredit seminar EXD 001 Exhibition & Experience Design Technical Skills Certification Seminar
COMMON REQUIREMENTS
All degree programs require that students maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 every semester while enrolled in the program. A student is placed on probation if his or her semester GPA is below 3.0. A student is not subject to academic dismissal at the end of his or her first semester in a degree program. A student will be dismissed from the college after two consecutive semesters with a GPA below 3.0. A final GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation.
ADVANCEMENT TO DEGREE CANDIDACY
Eligibility to Attend Commencement Exercises
Candidates for the master’s degree at FIT must have advanced to candidacy before being permitted to attend graduation ceremonies.
Degree Requirements
General
For admittance to degree candidacy, students must have satisfied all prerequisites and completed a minimum of 60 approved course credits in 4 semesters of full-time attendance. Please contact the program chair for information. Student must achieve a final grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0, and had their qualifying thesis project approved by their committee. Students must have advanced to degree candidacy before being permitted to attend graduation ceremonies.
Qualifying Thesis Project
The final semester of the program comprises four interdisciplinary courses, through which students conceive and execute a professional-quality, independent thesis design project, subject to department approval. The thesis is comprised of a design hypothesis proven through research and the execution of a comprehensive exhibition design and qualifying academic paper.
Laptop
Students accepted into the Exhibition and Experience Design program are expected to bring a laptop computer that meets current program specifications. For specific information, please contact the program chair.