In today’s multimedia world, designers need more than artistic chops if they want to work with big brands and launch successful campaigns. A great designer has visual skills and an expertise in brand development, copywriting, and research – which is what makes Full Sail’s 12-month, online Media Design MFA stand out.



“Our students embrace modern and forward-thinking design choices while applying strong research skills to develop comprehensive, from the ground up, brand development projects, ultimately culminating in multimedia campaigns,” says Dr. Thomas Lucas, the Program Director for this Media Design MFA program. “And by virtue of our project-based learning approach, students acquire mastery in the skills of verbal and visual communication. They are able to not only engage in strong, creative decision making, but also articulate their rationale behind those decisions.”


In other words, great design emerges from great strategy; multifaceted designers will know how to create a beautiful campaign and be able to explain to executives why it will work.

Post-graduation, many Media Design MFA grads have earned new jobs, promotion opportunities, and teaching positions in design-related fields. For example, grad Jon Vernon is an Art Director at AT&T, Sheroma Hodge serves as a Content Marketing Lead and Brand Strategist at Ottimate, a fintech company, and grads Kyla Glucky and Meredith Barber used their skills to open an advocacy marketing agency.

Here are some of the traits and skills you need to bring to the table – or in this case, the online classroom – to succeed in the Media Design MFA program:

Before entering the Media Design MFA program, a strong background in graphic design is desirable, Dr. Lucas emphasizes. “A background in design will certainly serve them well. We do get career changers, but typically they do come from some kind of creative background in terms of their education. They have to be creative and deadline-oriented. We want them to be innovative in their creative thinking and push past more common design and marketing-type choices… that go beyond the standard that is found out there,” he says.



Beyond design knowledge, it’s important to bring a practical side to this program, too: “You have to listen to your clients, understand what their goals and pain points are, and help them craft the most effective messaging to address those things. Articulating your design choices with research and overall industry knowledge is essential,” Dr. Lucas explains.



Be Ready For: Students can expect to spend 35-40 hours per week on coursework, which includes design projects, reading assignments, discussion posts, and research papers. You’ll be busy, which is why it’s crucial to already have some design and software experience before enrolling.

Great Media Design MFA students are also critical thinkers and self-starters; and they have a good handle on managing their time, which is one of the most important skills to master while at Full Sail. The university’s accelerated track means you’re getting a master’s degree in one year instead of the typical two. It’s a huge benefit – you get a head start in the industry and you can get your master’s while working full time – but it definitely requires commitment and organization.

The ideal Media Design student is passionate and motivated. “Our most successful students fully engage in workshopping their projects with their instructors and peers, listening carefully to feedback, and then applying it where appropriate,” he says.

More questions? Check out the Media Design MFA degree page or call an Admissions Representative at 800.226.7625.