Communication Design Studio: Theory and Practice

Last Update: 03/27/2026 04:56pm

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2027 Spring

51729-A

School of Design

15 credits

In-Person

Communication Design Studio: Theory and Practice

Stacie Rohrbach

Mon, Wed

02:00-04:50pm

Pittsburgh

Margaret Morrison

Room 215

Updated: 03/27/2026 04:56pm

Created: 01/27/2018 01:52pm

Description

In this course students learn how the form of communication impacts the way people perceive and process messages by investigating communication theories and applying them to the design of messages. Students learn how to approach communication challenges through exercises and projects where they pose questions, observe and capture information through sketching and photographing, developing and iterating concepts, and evaluating their effectiveness. This course is intended for MDES & MPS students in Design; all other students by permission of the instructor.

Workload

16 hrs

/ week total

Course Deliverables

Team projects (2): Substantial projects, about seven weeks each. Each project brief lists goals, deliverables, and milestone dates. You'll upload your final working files to CMU Box.

Process documentation (individual): Keep a learning log with visuals and written notes that connects course readings and in-class activities to the design steps you take. The instructor and TA review it at set assessment points.

Readings and reflections: Read assigned articles, chapters, and videos, and respond to periodic written reflection prompts.

Presentations and reviews: Present your thinking to the class, and give and receive feedback on work in progress.

Evaluation Metrics

LetterOn a curvePass/Fail

Final grades are calculated as follows:

  • Project 1: 35%
  • Project 2: 35%
  • Process documentation and written reflections: 15%
  • Participation and team contributions: 15%

Rubric

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Explain how audiences and contexts shape design decisions.
  • Apply communication theories to create effective messages.
  • Use a cohesive, iterative design process to develop and refine concepts.
  • Capture and develop ideas through sketching and notation.
  • Organize complex content into clear layers, sequences, and stories.
  • Translate abstract concepts into simple, concrete forms.
  • Design pieces that invite interaction and provide feedback.

Examples of Student Work

Degree Contributions

Completes 1 of 3 studio course requirements for first year MDes students in the Master’s in Design for Interactions program in the School of Design.

Who is this class for?

Graduate

This course is intended for MDES & MPS students in Design, all other students by permission of the instructor. Feel free to reach out if you are not in MDES or MPS and we can discuss your interest and eligibility for the course.

Prerequisites

N/A

Substitutes

N/A

Corequisites

N/A

Testimonials

What students are saying about this course.

Faculty Course Evaluations

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Overall course rate

4.57/5

Overall teaching rate

4.7/5

FAQs

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