The Design Management Program (DMP) is a two-year program created to bridge the disciplines of design and business management. It is tailored to provide an executive education more focused than an M.B.A. on the special needs of design leaders managing design firms or managing design teams in creative industries. Participants come from a variety of disciplines, including industrial design, interior design, graphic design, fashion design, communication and information design, interactive media design, and architecture. The curriculum is designed to develop strategic management skills in six study areas related to design management: operations management; financial management; marketing management; organization and human resource management; management of innovation and change; and management of local, regional, and global suppliers, distributors, and markets. The courses provide participants with an integrated focus on the role of design in the creation and management of strategic and sustainable advantage. The program leads to an accredited academic degree, the Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Design Management. Courses are held in Manhattan.

The DMP’s academic calendar is modeled after successful executive M.B.A. programs. Its schedule of alternating weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) allows participants to carry their full job responsibilities while they study. Two seven-day weeks—at the beginning and middle of the program—and an intensive integration experience at the end of the program provide the opportunity for several brief, intensive courses, including behavioral simulation and negotiating modules. These weeks establish and maintain relationships among students in each class, which many participants in executive programs consider especially valuable.

highlighted courses

Master of Professional Studies (Design Management)
42 total credits required

144 west 14th street
room 404
new york, ny 10011
tel: (212) 647-7538
fax: (212) 367-2487

Negotiating

DM-634

A second, intensive mini-module designed to develop negotiation and dispute resolution skills through a mix of lecture and role-playing exercises.

1.00 credits

Intl Environment of Business

DM-641

Design managers need to learn to effectively operate in an increasingly international context of competition, cooperation, and public concern. Globalization of products, customers, suppliers, distributors, regulators, and "watchdog" agencies is a trend that will only intensify. This course examines that global context and helps prepare design managers for the changes and challenges ahead.

2.00 credits

Intellectual Property Law

DM-643

Knowledge of Intellectual Property Law is an integral part of design management. Trademarks and trade dress, utility patents and design patents and copyright law are reviewed with emphasis on protection and litigation against infringement.

1.00 credits

Management Communications

DM-651

Effective communication is a vital leadership tool. This course enables participants to develop and refine skill in professional writing, speaking and presentation. It will also explain the requirements for completion of the Design Management Program final capstone requirement (DM-674). Instructors provide guidance and examples to enable participants to ready the proposals, cases, or research projects necessary for this graduation requirement. Course instructors act as ongoing advisors, continuing to work with participant teams through the courses in Directed Research and Capstone Planning (DM-656 and DM-673).

2.00 credits

New Product Mgmt & Dvlpmnt

DM-655

This course examines the methodology for bringing new products to market. The complete picture of product innovation for goods and services is explored, from original strategy through launch control.

2.00 credits

Financial Reporting & Analysis

DM-661

Design leaders are required to understand the way business tracks and measures financial performance. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are introduced together with the preparation and analysis of financial statements.

2.00 credits

Leadership and Team Building

DM-632

In combination with the simulation practice field, this course prepares participants to work together as a team throughout the program. Coursework explores the theory and practice of leadership and the challenge of teambuilding in design organizations. Each participant is coached - using a variety of profiles - to deepen understanding of the impact of leadership style on a team. Professional development plans are refined. The goal of the course is to prepare self-aware leaders for the challenge of managing in the 21st century - leaders who can use design intelligence to help shape the future of their organizations and our world.

2.00 credits

Building Entrep. Courage

DM-623

In order to effectively bring creative professional services to market, leaders must evidence entrepreneurship, creativity, and managerial skill. The course confronts the challenge of organizing "creatives," building entrepreneurial courage and developing systems that encourage collaboration across boundaries. It provides an opportunity to integrate and apply learning and to refine professional development agendas.

2.00 credits

Strategic Marketing

DM-621

Design plays a critical role in creating sustainable creative advantage. This course examines the role of strategic design intelligence in the marketing process. Current theories and practices of marketing are covered, including market research, pricing, advertising and merchandising policies, distribution and responsible package design.

2.00 credits

2 Business Strategy DM-672
2 Design Futures: Theory & Practice DM-644
2 Building Entrepreneurial Courage DM-623
2 New Product Management & Development DM-655
2 Shaping the 21st Century: Integrative Capstone DM-674
10 CREDITS

2 Business Law DM-642
2 Financing: Companies & New Ventures DM-663
1 Intellectual Property Law DM-643
2 Strategic Marketing DM-621
1 Managerial Decision Making DM-671
1 Capstone Planning: Advisement DM-673
9 CREDITS

2 Design Operations Management DM-653
2 Money & Markets DM-662
1 Negotiating DM-634
1 Directed Research DM-656
6 CREDITS

2 Management Communications DM-651
2 Advertising & Promotion DM-622
2 Managing Innovation & Change DM-633
2 International Environment of Business DM-641
8 CREDITS

1 Leadership Behavioral Simulation DM-631
2 Leadership & Team Building DM-632
2 Design Management DM- 652
2 Strategic Technology DM-654
2 Financial Reporting & Analysis DM-661
9 CREDITS

Financing Companies & Ventures

DM-663

This course explores strategies for funding new ventures and for financing economic growth. It provides a framework for risk analysis and for examining the potential return on a new venture.

2.00 credits