Parsons School of Design
BFA Communication Design
Thesis 2026

The BFA Communication Design program engages in the rigorous study of typography and interaction. Leading up to their final year in the program, students consider the impact of their work through the development of a wide range of projects that are shaped for print, digital and spatial environments. The design process itself is rarely linear. It can be exploratory, demanding, and at times uncertain, requiring persistence, experimentation, and critical reflection. The projects compiled in this chapter reflect the work from the Class of 2026.

This year’s cohort presents a wide-ranging and ambitious set of works that offer insight into the complexities of contemporary communication design. Their projects explore digital ecosystems, interrogate the relationship between humans and machines, and address the layered nature of identity and personal narrative. Others respond to social hierarchies, advocate for accessibility and equity, or celebrate and preserve cultural heritage. Across these themes, students demonstrate a deep awareness of the social, political, and technological contexts in which their work operates. Through critique, research, and making, students learn to embrace complexity and ambiguity as essential components of meaningful design practice. At the same time, the work reflects an understanding of the constraints that shape how communication is produced, distributed, and received—raising questions about visibility, agency, and the conditions necessary for messages to resonate across local, national, and global audiences.