The Collaborative Design and Design Systems Programs are no longer admitting new students.
Program Description
The MFA in Collaborative Design and MA in Design Systems reimagine what design can do in the world, producing creative and ethical leaders who will drive positive impact in private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Students, faculty, partners, and clients work together on complex problems using a collaborative, systems-based, and human-centered approach.
Students engage with the most innovative professional minds in Portland, Oregon, and access new technologies and partnerships via our diverse faculty and mentor networks.
With a shared vision for the ability of interdisciplinary and creative leadership to effect systemic change, we imagine a world that is radically more equitable, inclusive, and resilient.
Our programs believe that socially minded, environmentally sensitive designers foster a more humane world that can meaningfully address the emerging challenges of the 21st century, including climate change, racial injustice, poverty and healthcare.
What is Collaborative Design?
Collaborative Design exists at the intersection of participatory engagement, applied systems thinking, and Design (yes, with a capital D). We design with people, not for people. The multistage collaborative design process involves research, design sprints, systems mapping, futures-centered design, visual facilitation, and data visualization to interrogate the wicked problems facing the world today. Integral to this approach is critical, iterative, and participatory feedback that places those most affected by a design process at the center.
In rapidly changing global contexts, students graduate with a portfolio that demonstrates their ability to critically design and engage in ambitious, collaborative, and entrepreneurial work. Alumni go on to launch successful programs, work for leading design initiatives and nonprofits, create thriving design consultancies, and work in higher education.
Who Are Collaborative Designers?
Empathetic Listeners
Mold-Breakers
System Mappers
Bridge-Builders
Design Innovators
Business Leaders
Critical Thinkers
Life-long Learners
Creative Researchers
Team-worker
Storytellers
Prototypers
Feedback-Takers
What do Collaborative Designers Do?
Participatory Research
User Design Research
Information Design & Data Visualization
Community & Group Facilitation
Visual Facilitation
Product Design Iteration
Creative Direction & Narrative Building
Visual Communication
Critical Design & Systems Thinking Scholarship
Personal Creative Practice
Social Entrepreneurship
Design & Process Consultation
See All Program News
2023 National Portfolio Day Hosted at PNCA
Launch your future in art and design! Visit with counselors, admissions team members, and faculty from art and design schools for a portfolio review before applying to colleges or universities.
PNCA Graduate Symposium: Art + Social Consciousness
PNCA welcomes the Portland community to participate in this year’s Graduate Symposium with keynote speakers featuring: Nina Elder + vanessa german!
Amanda Ross-Ho and Catherine Taft, in conversation, hosted by PNCA & ILY2
The Hallie Ford School of Graduate Studies, in collaboration with ILY2, is pleased to announce a conversation between artist Amanda Ross-Ho and writer and curator Catherine Taft.
MFA Open Studios: November 2nd + 18th
The Hallie Ford School of Graduate Studies welcomes the Portland community to see what our MFA students have been making!
October First Thursday at PNCA + North Park Blocks - 10/05/23
The Center for Contemporary Art & Culture at Pacific Northwest College of Art is excited to invite the public to the October First Thursday Art Walk in the North Park Blocks for a series of exhibition openings, performances, live music, drop-in activities and refreshments!
choose your path
MFA in Collaborative Design
This 60-credit program is tailored for early- and mid-career creatives who are ready for an immersive experience. Late afternoon and evening classes up-level skills and aptitudes for a rapidly changing design environment. We take a critical and entrepreneurial approach to “wicked” problems such as resource depletion, emerging technologies, climate change and global demographic shifts.
MA in Design Systems
This 40-credit program embraces the reality that all creative endeavors are embedded within complex systems: of design, relationships, hierarchies, production, power, collaboration, and competition. This program is for the working creative who wants to master those systems, whether inside a firm, between organizations, or among multiple stakeholders.
"Collaborative Design prepared me for a life of working with entrepreneurs by introducing me to the world of social innovation and community-oriented design. I am so grateful for the connections I developed with fellow alum, mentors and professionals through the program."
Flexible
Classes are held in the late afternoon and evening to accommodate early and mid-career creatives who want to accelerate their skills while continuing to work.
Collaborative
Participants work with the most creative, professional minds in Portland, Oregon – a leading edge of creativity - and access new technologies and partnerships with national and international knowledge networks. Upon completion of the 60-credit, two-year program, graduates leave with a project portfolio that demonstrates their ability to think critically and act entrepreneurially in rapidly changing environments.
They go on to launch successful programs, work for leading design initiatives and nonprofits, create thriving design consultancies, and work in higher education.
View Faculty & FacilitiesGet in touch
Get in touch with Graduate Admissions pnca-grad-admissions-info@willamette.edu to schedule a tour or to learn more about our Programs.
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