Graduate Viewbook 2008-2009 - The New School

design and technology
the design and technology program responds to the social and
cultural dimensions of technological change. students learn
firsthand what to expect in the wired 21st-century world as they
explore connections between networks, interactions, games, products,
and stories. this program of study examines the implications
of emerging technology for both the practice and the process of
design, drawing from the past and looking to the future.
students are exposed to a variety of perspectives while they
develop their own points of view. they become aware of and
address social and ethical issues that arise from technology’s
proliferation throughout society as they work to define their own
vision and practice within one or more domains.
the curriculum links visual, interactive, and narrative concerns with
the practices of programming and computation. students explore
the social, economic, political, cultural, environmental, historical,
ergonomic, and psychological impact of design and technology.
they conceive and create dynamic systems on a human scale. this
broad approach is a hallmark of the program and prepares students
for research and professional work in many design contexts.
the program challenges students to master constantly changing
technology, on the principle that people work most creatively
when they have a solid understanding of the tools they are using.
students are also encouraged to develop close associations and
working relationships with one another. the collaborations fostered
often last long after graduation.
for complete curriculum, faculty, and course information, visit
newschool.edu/parsons and go to degree programs: design and
technology, graduate.
facilities and resources
Beyond computer labs and classrooms
lies the greatest resource available to our
students: New York City. In addition to
using city streets and wireless networks
as laboratories for experimentation,
students take field trips to Times Square,
Lower Manhattan, and Central Park to
find inspiration and observe the nuances
of designed living. They collaborate
with urban arts organizations like
Eyebeam, Creative Time, the Kitchen,
and the New Museum. Students learn
to see New York City as a dynamic
system that shapes the way they learn,
play, innovate, and explore.
The facilities at Parsons are state-ofthe-art.
The Arnhold Hall Multimedia
Laboratory occupies 40,000 square
feet on four floors with 600 networked
workstations. More than 30 servers
support work ranging from traditional
print output to online projects using
webcasting and secure transaction
technology. Specialty work—audio/
video production, MIDI, recording, and
physical computing installation—takes
place in the Design and Technology Lab.
Portable digital still, video, and audio
production equipment is available.
Digital projectors, surround sound, and
active whiteboards feed into equipment
racks for media presentations of all kinds.
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newschool.edu/parsons
newschool.edu/parsons