Exhibition and Experience Design

ma

Exhibitions are intellectually, emotionally, and physically meaningful experiences driven by visitors. In FIT’s Exhibition and Experience Design Master of Arts degree program, students are explorers and inventors, employing a range of media to tell stories.

Drawing on myriad disciplines, you will explore theory, methods, techniques, and technologies needed to create experiences in any venue—from museums to branded environments to public spaces. 

Program

students in classroom

Experience and Exhibition Design MA

The curriculum, a blend of field and studio work, focuses on designing narrative environments rooted in human psychology. Students explore every type of designed experience, including museums, pop-ups, and interactive digital spaces, and develop skills in concept development, environmental design, graphics, lighting, and model making. Working closely with industry partners, students embark on real-world projects and studio-based competitions with local and international firms, museums, and public facilities. The program culminates with a thesis project that draws on critical research. 

Degree Details

How You’ll Benefit From FIT

Exhibition and Experience Design Resources

Design Resources

Take advantage of FIT’s emerging tech lab, PrintFX, and the Writing and Speaking Studio. Sharpen your skills and implement exhibition experiences and narratives with AR/VR, virtual walkthrough software, animation, and more—while designing projects and engaging in cutting-edge research with some of the world's leading exhibition and experience design professionals, institutions, firms and industry leaders in New York City and across the globe.

Exhibition and Experience Design Access

Access to Experts and Industry Leaders

Through class presentations, lectures, studio projects, and off-site trips, you’ll gain access to experts in the field, and collaborate with leading industry organizations such as the Exhibition Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) and the Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD). You’ll execute multiple full-scale projects, working with professionals in actual venues through The Design Partnership.

Exhibition and Experience Design Peers

Award-Winning Peers

Our students have won national and international competitions sponsored by a variety of institutions and industry partners such as The Smithsonian Institution, SONY, New York Botanical Garden, Wildlife Conservation Society, American Museum of Natural History, EuroShop and more. More about our awards and news coverage.

Learn more about FIT’s Exhibition and Experience Design program

Impact

Make an experience that moves … Graduate with the confidence and skills to help shape the creative economy by creating unique and provoking exhibitions.

Outside the Classroom

Our curricula, New York City location, and global network of advisors offer exceptional opportunities to forge strong bonds with leaders in the field. EED graduates can benefit from lifelong career services and advisement.

Beyond Graduation
Experience and Exhibition Design outside the classroom

Learn From the Best

Our faculty members include exhibition experience designers, content developers, graphic and lighting designers, and design historians—all with current industry expertise. Meet more Exhibition and Experience Design faculty.

Christina Lyons

Lyons is an associate professor and the chair of  the Exhibition and Experience Design department. She evolves curriculum, supports students and faculty, and facilitates industry partnerships. She was previously the director of the graphic design department at Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership and a senior designer at Poulin + Morris. She has worked on numerous exhibition and experience design projects domestically and globally. 

Brenda Cowan

Cowan is a professor of Exhibition and Experience Design, where she supports the ongoing evolution of the MA program’s core curriculum, direction of academic and design instruction, and facilitation of the program’s relationship with the profession. 

 

Contact Us

Exhibition and Experience Design

Goodman Center, Room E315
(212) 217-4300

Christina Lyons

Chair
Interested in applying or have a question? Fill out this inquiry form

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