Designers are the force behind identity and branding systems that create value and impact. Join the next generation of design leaders shaping our world through innovative packaging, distinctive branding, and sustainable practices.
Firmly grounded in design methods that prepare you for professional practice, this program explores the full product ecosystem, including material innovation, green procurement, UX and user interaction, and end of life. Beyond physical packaging, students learn to develop cross-platform branding systems.
Examples of Student Work in Brand Identity and Narrative Design
We are longstanding experts in our field; Pratt first offered a version of this evolving Master of Science degree in 1966. In our current STEM-designated program, students gain the technical expertise and experience with cutting-edge technology, research methods, and critical practices that equips them to be innovators in packaging and systems design.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Students can explore, iterate, and refine their projects through our many labs. With production facilities in the Design Center and the nearby Engineering building, you have easy access to the tools and resources you need to build, test, fabricate, and develop your design proposals in analog or digital form, in 2, 3, or 4D.
“I was very attracted to Pratt because they had great facilities. Pratt kind of gives you the keys to the kingdom, and if you’re motivated, if you’re a self-starter, you can do whatever you want, and that suited me quite well.”
At Pratt, you’ll join a diverse community of students and faculty from around the world, working together and connecting with our local and global neighbors, all in the hyper-international city of New York.
Packaging for a miniature garden by Ran Tao, MS Packaging, Identities and Systems Design ’26.
Design That Centers Sustainability
Gain the tools to address social and environmental concerns through branding and systems design. In our program, you’ll apply contemporary design processes, methods, tools, and technologies toward sustainable solutions.
“[My work at Pratt] opened my mind to thinking beyond conventional cardboard, plastic, and glass. As designers and consumers, it’s our responsibility to create solutions, not generate problems.”
Mariana Romero-Carrillo, MS Packaging, Identities, and Systems Design ’23 Read More
Examples of Student Work Exploring Sustainability and the Environment
This STEM-designated program prepares students to make meaningful and impactful contributions across various design practices. It prepares students to enter a professional world fitted with a level of professional competency to join the community of next generation leaders in sustainable practices, packaging innovation, and integrated design systems. This multidisciplinary program explores real-world challenges to understand how designers can reimagine form-making, branding, and production frameworks.
Overview
The MS in Packaging, Identities and Systems Design is the contemporary evolution of a degree first offered in 1966. The curriculum helps students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive as designers while providing the creative space to nurture personal passions. During the program, students apply contemporary design processes, methods, tools, and technologies toward sustainable solutions that address social and environmental concerns, and build capacity to adapt and augment these skills throughout their lives.
What We Offer
The program’s coursework allows students to achieve competency in exploring and expressing inclusive and universally accessible design solutions across two, three, and four dimensions by continuously evaluating the impact of design decisions on local and global resources and communities. Students work diligently to engage complex problems and anticipate the multivariate impact their projects would have. The program is firmly grounded in real-world design practice, while encouraging aspirational and speculative design approaches as part of each student’s process.
Throughout their course of study, students gain the capability to research, identify and ethically incorporate current sustainability practices in material use, distribution, life cycles, earth ecologies, and social practices. They demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of a wide range of design theories and histories within their socio-economic context, and direct that expertise toward both applied and theoretical frameworks. It may include complex branding systems, inventive solutions for sustainable packaging, virtual experience systems, or innovative applications of nascent materials.
When You Graduate
Students strengthen the skills and knowledge they bring to the program while also developing new, complex capabilities. Upon successfully completing the program, students will be prepared to enter the varied field of design practice as they develop humility, social sensitivity, and cross-cultural competency to provide strategic leadership that takes into consideration a plurality of perspectives within a multidisciplinary professional or academic environment. Our graduates work in small and large practices, create iconic and influential work, build successful careers, and become leaders in their fields.
What You Should Know
The MS in Packaging, Identities and Systems Design is a STEM-designated program with classes offered during the day and evenings. A minimum of 48 credits is required for degree completion. We welcome students with previous experience in design and adjacent disciplines, but also professionals from different backgrounds. A few years of working experience in any field is recommended. Please see application guidelines in the “Apply to Pratt” section.
Upon completion of their studies, students:
Upon completion of their studies, students apply contemporary design processes, methods, tools, and technologies toward sustainable solutions that address social and environmental concerns, and build capacity to adapt and augment these skills throughout their lives.
Achieve competency in exploring and expressing inclusive and universally accessible design solutions across two, three, and four dimensions by continuously evaluating the impact of design decisions on local and global resources and communities.
Gain the capability to research, identify and ethically incorporate current sustainability practices in material use, distribution, life cycles, earth ecologies, and social practices.
Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of a wide range of design theories and histories within their socio-economic context, and direct that expertise toward both applied and theoretical frameworks.
Develop humility, social sensitivity, and cross-cultural competency to provide strategic leadership that takes into consideration a plurality of perspectives within a multidisciplinary professional or academic environment.
Sustainability and Design
This course explores the contemporary role of sustainable practices as a necessary competency for emerging designers. There is positive and increasing pressure for effective design solutions that balance creativity with social, environmental and economic factors. Through an examination of current best practices involving circular economy and sustainable material management, life-cycle analysis tools and industry reports, students will research, analyze and synthesize core principles of sustainability within a wide array of communications and package design scenarios. DES-634
Packaging Design I/II
This first course on packaging design explores the critical elements of form-making within the context of the field. It covers various media and methods for exploring and developing three-dimensional packages, including sketching, rendering, and physical and computer modeling. The course emphasizes the development of a greater sensitivity to sculptural form, volumetric and spatial relationships, and ergonomics through hands-on engagement. The second course, in the third semester, emphasizes the application of graphic design elements to various types of products. The design process involves analyzing and positioning packages from a marketing point of view. It also includes the development of brand marks, visual graphics, and color schemes for individual products and related product lines. DES-630/DES-631
Cross-Platform Design
Cross-Platform Design explores the ever-evolving media landscape in which design must function. This course utilizes detailed research methods to effectively understand user behavior and contexts of use. Students then use this information to develop innovative cross-platform design solutions, both physical and digital, supported by clearly articulated strategies, while leveraging both traditional and new technologies and counterpart communication media channels. DES-645
The Capstone Arc
These two end-of-degree courses guide students through the process of developing a Capstone Project over the course of the semester following their Capstone Research course. Students will develop a design brief that articulates the scope of the project based on their pertinent research and design investigations. Each student will produce work based on a particular area of interest, where they find an opportunity to innovate and define a position within the broadest definition of the packaging field. DES-690/DES-695
All admitted applicants are considered by the academic department for generous scholarships, and awarded students are notified in their letter of admission.
In addition, The Marc Rosen Scholarship Fund for Packaging by Design was created to drive new and innovative thinking in the realm of packaging excellence. Its intent is to foster future-facing design development, stretch our boundaries of creativity and catalyze exciting redefinitions of packaging success. Read more about our two, full-funding scholarship opportunities here. Recipients will be notified prior to the start of their first semester.
All of the above funding opportunities do not require a separate application; all admitted students are considered.
Our Faculty
Our faculty are leading professionals and scholars who are dedicated to developing the next generation of designers.
Our alumni have gone on to thriving careers. You will find our graduates at leading firms while many others become entrepreneurs, founding their own businesses.
Career Support for Life
Students and alumni can schedule one-on-one appointments with career strategists in Pratt’s Center for Career and Professional Development. A career strategist can work with you to develop your job/internship search strategies and life and business plans, as well as review résumés, cover letters, websites, and other marketing materials.
Join us at Pratt. Learn more about admissions requirements, plan your visit, talk to a counselor, and start your application. Apply here.
You’ll find yourself at home at Pratt. Learn more about our student organizations, athletics, gallery exhibitions, events, the amazing City of New York, and our Brooklyn neighborhood communities. More info here.
Come be a part of our community. Join us for events, follow us online, and learn more about Pratt’s impact in the world.
