The mission of Pratt Institute is to educate artists and creative professionals to be responsible contributors to society.
Pratt seeks to instill in all graduates aesthetic judgment, professional knowledge, collaborative skills, and technical expertise.
With a firm grounding in the liberal arts and sciences, a Pratt education blends theory with creative application in preparing graduates to become leaders in their professions.
Pratt enrolls a diverse group of highly talented and dedicated students, challenging them to achieve their full potential.
Pratt Institute and the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership (the Partnership) recently announced a collaboration to expand the reach of PrattCard, Pratt’s student and faculty identification card, to businesses on the Myrtle Avenue commercial corridor at the start of the Fall 2009 semester. Once in place, Pratt students, faculty, and staff will be able to put a cash balance on their cards similar to a debit card that can be used to shop or dine at participating Myrtle Avenue businesses.
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Pratt Institute Center for Sustainable Design Studies (CSDS) and the Pratt Incubator for Sustainable Design Innovation will partner with Pratt Towers housing cooperative to hold a community “design jam” on Saturday, July 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Pratt Towers located at 333 Lafayette Avenue. Members of the community are invited to brainstorm possible residential uses for 60 square feet of unused space behind the towers that has remained empty for 15 years.
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Pratt Institute President Thomas F. Schutte and The Board of Trustees of Pratt Institute will hold a dinner to celebrate the establishment of The Marc Rosen Distinguished Visiting Chair in Design on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at The Gramercy Park Hotel Roof at Two Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. The event will include a cocktail reception at 7 p.m. followed by dinner, and will celebrate the first endowed professorship in the history of Pratt Institute.
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Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, a Pratt alumna and fashion design executive with over 15 years of experience, has been named acting chair of the Institute’s Fashion Design Department. Pailes-Friedman, who has taught in Pratt’s fashion and industrial design departments since 1998, will begin her appointment July 1, 2009. She replaces Rosie DePasquale, who is stepping down after serving as chair of the Fashion Design Department since 2000 to work on the launch of her yoga accessories and clothing line. DePasquale will return in the spring 2010 semester as a full-time professor.
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Pratt Institute department of fine arts graduate students Charlotte Meyer
and Kris Scheifele won 2009 Joan Mitchell Fellowship Awards for their accomplishments in sculpture and painting, respectively. Through this award program, Meyer and Scheifele will each receive a $15,000 grant and will also participate in a group exhibition at the Cue Art Foundation in Chelsea, New York in
spring of 2010.
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The program involves students in structured courses within two majors, Communications Design and Packaging Design, and an emphasis in Digital Design. Students may attend full time or part time. The final stage of the curriculum is the thesis, which provides knowledge of the problem-solving process through directed research and, over the succeeding two semesters, gives students the opportunity to develop an extensive, innovative project. Work on the thesis is done under the direction of a general faculty advisor and a major discipline faculty advisor. Courses are held in Manhattan.
M.S. in Communications Design
Communications design deals with all aspects of transforming information and ideas into visual forms. Course work involves a wide range of verbal and visual language systems. Design projects relate to extensive communications applications involving various aspects of society. Representative solutions utilize graphic design, corporate identity, publications design, computer graphics, and typography.
M.S. in Communications Design (Digital Design Emphasis)
Communications design students are offered the option of an emphasis in digital design, which combines graphic design and time-based media. This emphasis requires a significant level of conceptual and technical competence in order to meet the demands of courses that utilize advanced computer-based technologies.
M.S. in Package Design
The program offers a broadly based curriculum centered on the decision-making process for new product/package development, featuring courses in packaging design, brand development, visual communications, digital technology, marketing, and form.
Visual Communications I
DES-620
This course offers a disciplined, systematic approach to concept development and the problem-solving process applied to graphic design. Use of the grid system, figure and ground relationships, typography, and symbolism are covered in relationship to setting priorities and utilizing information. Students are engaged in a wide range of assignments in order to apply design principles and broaden creative experiences.
3.00 credits
Packaging: Graphics I
DES-630
Packaging design combines marketing, graphics, and three-dimensional design. Emphasis is on the application of graphic design elements to various forms of packaging. Packages are analyzed and positioned from a marketing point of view. Brand marks, visual graphics and color schemes are developed for individual products and extended product lines. Typical assignments include food, pharmaceutical, and mass market products.
3.00 credits
Design in Motion
DES-674
Designing for film and other kinetic media has grown from underground artists' efforts in the 1950s to a major role for both directors and designers. The look of a film, video or digital presentation's opening sequence sets the tone for what follows. This course will examine how and why this look is achieved.
3.00 credits
Visual Communications II
DES-621
A systematic and conceptual approach is utilized to solve a multi-faceted design project in this course. It involves reviewing methods of analyzing and classifying solutions to communications problems. The projects dealt with are of a two- and three-dimensional nature and involve all elements and concepts of graphic design. Each student is expected to develop a unique and creative approach to design/project solutions.
3.00 credits
Electronic Pre-Press
DES-677
This course provides students with exposure to advanced concepts and procedures that are required in preparing art and designs for professional printing. Topics include color calibration and control, color management, advanced electronic layout, digital color separation, project management and file preparation, digital proofing, process printing and coverage of emerging trends in digital printing and variable-data printing. A particular emphasis is placed on the relationship between the desires of graphic design and the realities of print production.
3.00 credits
Visual Perception
DES-625
After an introduction to the physiological and historical perspectives of visual perception, the course develops a conceptual awareness of the organization and perception of two- and three-dimensional design through selected readings. Symbols, archetypes and the creative process of problem solving are explored as aids in approaching practical and relevant design problems. Technological advances of computer graphics are explored as issues affecting perception. The course includes readings, presentations, discussions, papers and visiting lecturers.
3.00 credits
Typography II
DES-619
This advanced class deals with virtually all aspects of typography. Typographic applications encompass historic and contemporary viewpoints. Course projects involve the effective use of type and letterforms in order to creatively solve communications problems. Use of Macintosh systems incorporating design, production, text, and display type is required as a prerequisite for this class.
3.00 credits
Interactive Design I
DES-681
This course is an introduction to the designer's role in planning and producing non-linear media such as websites, interactive installations, DVDs and CD-ROMs. Using web layout and animation software, students learn to conceive, develop, design, and produce websites and related media. The similarities and differences with traditional media are discussed as they pertain to typography, color, branding, and layout. This course is of interest to students in all design and image related disciplines (computer graphics, photography, film, video, and the visual arts).
3.00 credits
Motion Design I
DES-683
This course aims to develop students' fluency in working with motion and time-based media. This class deconstructs the concept of motion by referencing how things move in the real world, as well as by exploring elements, such as space and time, that create motion. The traditional design attributes - color, composition, shape, depth, tension, and contrast - are used and combined with time-based attributes such as pace, rhythm, sequence, and repetition-to evaluate work.
3.00 credits
Typographics
DES-635
This course seeks to promote problem-solving concepts, emphasizing the use of type and the letterforms as visual communications tool - prompting the student to think as opposed to producing mere layout. It encourages students to work in terms of client-designer relationships, simulating actual working conditions. Assignments are critiqued using professional standards. Upon approval of ideas, students follow through with client presentations, developing portfolio pieces as the ideal final result. These pieces are due for review at the end of each semester.
3.00 credits
Visual Communications III
DES-636
This is an advanced course for students who successfully complete Visual Communications I & II. It offers students an opportunity to develop, analyze and research specific problems and to devise a graphics programs on topics of public concern. A case study approach is used, allowing each student to select eight to ten projects matching his/her field of interest (i.e. corporate identity, advertising, packaging or editorial design).
3.00 credits
Digital Design
DES-680
The course introduces graduate Communications Design students to the core ideas and technologies surrounding image-making, sound and time-dependent media. To form challenging visual narratives there is an emphasis placed on broadcast quality image compositing, typography, and audio. The primary focus in this class is on the learning process, which puts more emphasis on the conceptual thinking behind each assignment than on the finished products.
3.00 credits
Design Procedures
DES-608
This is an introductory class aimed at preparing students with fundamental skills and information that will be necessary for developing visual communications projects. Abstraction, imagery, layout and sequencing are studied through assignments and critiques. This class fosters conceptualizing abilities in preparation for the more advanced Communications Design curriculum.
3.00 credits
Thesis in Progress
DES-700
If the thesis is not completed in two semesters, students can continue working in DES-700 for no more than five semesters (not including summers).
0 credits
Packaging: Fragrance
DES-629
This course takes a focused view of cosmetic packaging through a workshop format and the development of a term project. Selection and development of projects are augmented by ongoing and individual critiques and consultations.
3.00 credits
Portfolio Development
DES-607
This course offers an intensive investigation of the design of a portfolio, including marketing techniques, format and binding, layout and reproduction. Students design and lay out their portfolios and begin final preparation. A follow-up session is available for final portfolio review by professionals in the field.
1.00 credits
Thesis Resource
DES-698
This non-credit course provides students with opportunities to work with faculty members with specific areas of expertise who serve as additional thesis advisors to their Thesis I and II teachers.
0 credits
Special Studies
DES-600
This course will allow students to explore advanced areas of electronic imaging, publishing, digital color, and creative thinking, all of which will enable students to enhance their design skills.
2.00 - 6.00 credits
Exhibition Design
DES-609A
This course covers a variety of environmental design projects that range from corporate exhibits to museum planning. The studio classes are augmented with lectures, field trips, and visual presentations. Students develop concepts that may include floor plans, structural systems and graphic design solutions. The class is open to environmental, industrial, and communications design students.
2.00 credits
Creative Thinking
DES-664
This course explores a number of practical approaches to the purposeful and systematic enhancement of the creative process. Beyond gaining a new mastery over the creativity, the techniques help students delve more deeply into the realm of visual opportunities. Students are engaged in a number of creative thinking exercises and projects.
2.00 credits
Electronic Imaging
DES-665
This course explores the advanced techniques and options available within today's necessary imaging software with a focus on Adobe's Photoshop and Illustrator programs. In addition, the incorporation of basic student-generated 3-D imagery and stock imagery is also covered. Project work includes professionally rendered artwork based on real world assignments. A strong emphasis on conceptual development accompanies the advanced technical material.
3.00 credits
Computer Graphics Systems
DES-676
This introductory course explores the practical applications of today's computer hardware and graphic design software. The focus of the class will be on gathering critical knowledge and gaining basic mastery of a powerful suite of design visualization and creative production tools. The course will cover the field's essential design applications: Adobe, Photoshop, Illustrator, GoLive, Imageready and QuarkXPress on the Macintosh platform.
3.00 credits
Typography I
DES-618
This class is an introduction to the concrete and conceptual aspects of typography as a visual medium. The first half of the semester will deal with the technical requirements of typography. The second half will deal with abstract compositional uses for typography, integrating hand skills and the computer as a way to render type. Historical and current forms of alphabetic communications will be explored, along with the relationship to modern image-based communications.
3.00 credits
Graphics/Package Design II
DES-631
Packaging design is an extremely viable field that combines marketing, graphics and three-dimensional design. Emphasis is on the application of graphic design elements to various types of products. Packages are analyzed and positioned from a marketing point of view. Brand marks, visual graphics and color schemes are developed for individual products and more sophisticated related product lines. Typical assignments include food, pharmaceutical and mass market products.
3.00 credits
Publishing
DES-667
Understanding how the business of publishing functions is required in order to determine the feasibility of publishing projects. This course will provide the students with a basic understanding of the publishing process.
3.00 credits
Corporate Image Planning
DES-626
In this course, corporate identity functions as a problem-solving model. It combines phases of information gathering, organization and analysis, strategy development, creative design, graphics systems development and establishing applications standards into a coordinated program. Each student performs on a professionally realistic level, selecting a client or being assigned one, and fulfilling every role of a typical corporate identification "team" (i.e. account manager, design director, and marketing manager). Each corporate identification program includes every stage from initial client interviews through to the last stages of a design control manual.
3.00 credits
- semester 1
- semester 2
- semester 3
- semester 4
- semester 5
Courses followed by the notation DIGITAL DESIGN should be chosen if completing the MS program with an emphasis in Digital Design. Courses followed by the notation PREREQUISITE may be waived if no prerequisites are required.)
Advertising Design
DES-668
This course is a rational approach to the creative process in advertising design. Students develop concepts with "roughs" and explore the use of copy, typography, photography and illustration. Students carry assignments from concept to conclusion.
3.00 credits
Motion Design II
DES-684
This course focuses primarily on storytelling and narrative as well as on the different aesthetics of animation and video. Having gained a comfortable technical level in Motion Design I, students begin to develop longer format pieces exploring personal and commercial dimensions of their work. Assignments become broader as students gain more confidence in the medium.
3.00 credits
Interactive Design II
DES-682
This course focuses on the advanced planning, conceptualizing, designing and building of an interactive project. Students review contemporary designers' solutions to complex media projects, and using this knowledge as a foundation, develop their own innovative solutions. The emphasis is on developing an individualized approach to new media. Examples of potential projects include interfaces for mobile devices, electronic books, and interactive branding.
3.00 credits
Communications Seminar
DES-624
This course introduces the student to the influential role that graphic design plays in the evolution of style and ritual within our society. The semester-long assignment will focus on the realization of an idea involving publication design. The class will be broken down into teams of students who will form a company and work collaboratively in the development of ideas, design, layout, scheduling, production and share of expense of the project. The role of the designer, art director, illustrator and production artist is played out by team members. Guest lecturers may visit the class during the semester. Studio tours may be scheduled during class time.
3.00 credits
Illustration
DES-662
Through weekly sessions that combine drawing exercises, critiques and field trips to professional workplaces, this course teaches students how to work as illustrators. Thoughtfully solving assignments and discovering one's own visual vocabulary will be the primary aims. Students develop skills in any style or medium they choose, including the computer. The course emphasizes the importance of the collaboration between the illustrator and the designer/art director.
3.00 credits
Internship
DES-654
The internship makes it possible for students to receive on-the-job experience in their field of study prior to completing their graduate programs. This class bridges the gap between the academic and professional worlds.
1.00 - 6.00 credits
Design Management
DES-640
This course deals with management methods within large corporations, design consulting firms, advertising agencies, and multi-media production companies. Each student receives a broad perspective as a manager and employee within the context of the professional world. Guest lectures include management experts from the worlds of business and design.
3.00 credits
Thesis I
DES-699A
Independent research based on individual thesis proposals, submitted by the candidate and approved by the thesis advisor, is undertaken. Projects must represent a meaningful contribution to the field of design and show a mature correlation between design and supportive documentation. Communications and packaging design students must have a portfolio review before entering thesis.
6.00 credits
Color Workshop
DES-614A
This course explores color and light phenomenology in the three-dimensional world. Relationships between color and light as they affect our visual perception of size, shape and proportion are explored from both practical and aesthetic perspectives. Projects examine color and light on forms such as product and packaging as well as color and light in space, as for display and interiors.
3.00 credits
Marketing
DES-634
This course covers marketing strategies in areas of packaging and graphic design, multi-media, industrial design and Urban Environmental Systems Management. Lectures deal with consumer need evaluation; media research; pre-testing and product development; advertising; product distribution methodology; and environment for product merchandising. Guest speakers include leaders in marketing, advertising and media.
3.00 credits
3 Corporate Image Planning DES-626
3 Packaging: Graphics I DES-630
2 Directed Research DES-660
2 Concepts of Design HD-506 or History of Modern Design HD-505
2–3 Elective credits
12–13 CREDITS
3 Typography I DES-618 (PREREQUISITE) or Typography II DES-619
3 Design Procedures DES-608 (PREREQUISITE) or Visual Communications I DES-620
3 Computer Graphics Systems DES-676 (PREREQUISITE) or Electronic Pre-Press DES-677
3 Visual Perception DES-625
12 CREDITS
3 Typography II DES-619 or Digital Design DES-680 (DIGITAL DESIGN)
3 Visual Communications I DES-620
3 Electronic Pre-Press DES-677
2–3 History of Communications Design HD-662 or History of Western Art HA-601
11–12 CREDITS
3 Typographics DES-635 or Motion Design I DES-683 (DIGITALDESIGN) or Interactive Design I
DES-681 (DIGITALDESIGN)
3 Visual Communications II DES-621 or Digital Design DES-680
2 Directed Research DES-660
2 Concepts of Design HD-506 or History of Modern Design HD-505
2–3 Elective credits
12–13 CREDITS
6 Thesis I DES-699A
3 Communications Seminar DES-624 or Interactive Design II DES-682 (DIGITAL DESIGN) or Motion Design II DES-684 (DIGITAL DESIGN)
3 Marketing DES-634 or Design Management DES-640
2–3 Elective credits
14–15 CREDITS
3 Typography I DES-618 (PREREQUISITE) or Typography II DES-619
3 Design Procedures DES-608 (PREREQUISITE) or Visual Communications I DES-620
3 Computer Graphics Systems DES-676 (PREREQUISITE) or Electronic Pre-Press DES-677
3 Visual Perception DES-625
12 CREDITS
3 Typography II DES-619
3 Structural Packaging DES-628
3 Electronic Pre-Press DES-677
2–3 History of Communications Design HD-662 or History of Western Art HA-601
11–12 CREDITS
6 Thesis I DES-699A
3 Packaging: Graphics II DES-631
3 Marketing DES-634 or Design Management DES-640
2–3 Elective credits
14–15 CREDITS
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Jeffrey Bellantoni
Chairperson of Graduate Art Design
Manhattan 7
(212) 647-7573
jbell189@pratt.edu
Chava Ben-Amos
Professor
Manhattan 7
(212) 647-7573
cbenamos@pratt.edu
Personal Biography
Born in 1930 in Prague. During the Nazi occupation in concentration camps and after WWII relocated to Palestine in 1946. Enrolled at the Bezalel Art Academy. War again interrupted my studies when I served two years in the Israeli Army, then returned to school and began my design career upon graduation.
Won several awards, including one for a Holocaust memorial postage stamp, and moved to the U.S. in 1964. Produced posters for Broadway productions, Served as Art Director at several prestigious New York design firms before founding own studio.
view biography
Andrew Brenits
Visiting Assistant Professor
Manhattan 7
(212) 647-7573
abrenits@pratt.edu
Personal Biography
With over 15 years of experience, Andy understands how design can be used to increase - even drive - profitability when used effectively and consistently.
view biography
Jean Brennan
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Manhattan 7
(212) 647-7573
jbrennan@pratt.edu
Personal Biography
Upon graduation from the Graduate Communication Design program in 1998, Jean went to work as a broadcast designer at Lee Hunt Associates, working with clients such as PBS, Oxygen, and Arte. She continued with the LHA team after they were acquired by Razorfish in late 1999. In 2002, Jean became the Nick Jr. Art Director, where she worked on in-house graphics for the 2-5 age programming of Nickelodeon. Currently, Jean freelances as an art director in broadcast, online and print projects.
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Antonio Dispigna
Professor
Manhattan 7
(212) 647-7573
adispign@pratt.edu
Personal Biography
Tony Di Spigna
1967- Graduated from Pratt & joined Bonder & Carnase.
1969 Joined Lubalin Smith & Carnase.
1973- Opened Artissimo, Inc.
1978 - Joined Herb Lubalin Associates as Vice President & Partner where his talent as a designer were employed in all areas of visual communication.
1980 Opened Tony Di Spigna,Inc.
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