Information Design and Strategy

Overview

As digital output increasingly becomes the backbone of most business strategy, there is an acute need for professionals with a better big-picture understanding of information management, design and technology. 

This interdisciplinary program prepares students to step into a cross-functional or leadership role by developing a deep and holistic understanding of today’s sophisticated digital media. The Information Design and Strategy program at Northwestern University is particularly useful for people in creative fields who want a stronger grounding in business strategy, so that they can expand their career opportunities and make a larger impact on their organizations. The strong theoretical framework of the program and its focus on fundamental concepts makes the degree applicable to many diverse fields and types of organizations — business, the arts, government, healthcare, and education, to name a few — regardless of changes in technology.

The IDS program was developed in consultation with industry leaders in this emerging field. As a part-time and completely online degree, students anywhere in the world can access a program of this caliber while maintaining their personal and professional commitments. Find out more about online learning at SPS.

Program Goals

An interdisciplinary professional program, IDS graduates will possess the knowledge, skills and aptitude to:

• Translate complex information into compelling visual forms and narratives, particularly within digital media
• Lead cross-functional teams to develop and implement a comprehensive media communication strategy
• Design seamless customer experiences that support an organization’s strategy across multiple digital platforms
• Develop innovative solutions to complex business problems by combining analytical and creative skills