This top-ranked University of Michigan graduate program is looking for curious, thoughtful designers interested in interdisciplinary problem-solving, community engagement, and critical making.
The Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan, ranked among the top eight graduate schools in the nation for art and design by U.S. News and World Report, is currently accepting applications for the Master of Design (MDes) program for Fall 2026.
Graduate school is a time to push your practice forward and shape your future path – and the Stamps MDes program is a place for this future-focused, rigorous experimentation, committed to supporting your work through a range of tools, methods, and perspectives.
The multi-disciplinary curriculum emphasizes engagement with critical issues and values-driven design. Situated in an art and design school within a leading research university, the program benefits from a broad range of practices, a deep history of craft, cutting-edge fabrication facilities, and access to world renowned experts and scholars across many fields of study. From print media and physical prototypes to digital experiences and immersive environments, students will find faculty and facilities to support their work from every discipline.
In the program, students will have the opportunity to articulate their own design practice within a lively community of varied and individualized approaches, and with access to the resources and collaborative opportunities only available at a R1-designated research university. They’ll receive financial support, access to world-class studio spaces, the curricular foundation for socially conscious practice and engagement, and thoughtful advising and mentorship.
The Stamps faculty of leading scholars, designers, artists, and makers will teach, encourage, and challenge students every step of the way. Throughout the two years of the program, students will also learn from the expert faculty across the wider University of Michigan, as well as nationally and internationally recognized visiting artists, designers, and critics that will provide insightful perspectives and one-on-one feedback.
The program culminates in a year-long thesis project–a body of work expressing each student’s individual practice. At the end of their journey, graduates will define the values, curiosities, and core motivations that will drive their work for decades to come; develop new ways of working; and be ready for a wide range of opportunities in a variety of fields and contexts.
“Design is a tool to interrogate and impact the world’s challenges and help to imagine and build a more equitable and resilient future. Through research investigation, material experiments, and narrative devices, our students will learn a range of tactics to make considered, impactful, and thought-provoking design work. Whether you are interested in a career in industry, social impact, academia, or entrepreneurship, this program will help you develop a practice and perspective to guide your path.”
– Sara Dean, MDes Program Director and Associate Professor
Visit the Stamps website for detailed information on the Stamps MDes program, and learn more about our unique curriculum in upcoming events, including a virtual Q&A session and Graduate National Portfolio Days.
Apply at stamps.umich.edu by January 3, 2026.
link