M.A. in Design focused on Health at The University of Texas at Austin

Bridging Medicine and Design: Atchayaa Krishnan’s Journey ?? Atchayaa Krishnan, Class of 2024, was a General Physician in India before pursuing the MA in Design focused on Health at UT Austin. She sought to expand her impact beyond traditional medical practice—using design to improve healthcare. Now working in Service Design in India, Atchayaa is creating impactful solutions that enhance both provider and patient experiences. ?? Why she chose the program: "I was drawn to the MA in Design focused on Health because of my medical background and my drive to go beyond clinical practice to tackle systemic healthcare challenges. I wanted to explore design thinking as a powerful tool to make healthcare more equitable, accessible, and sustainable. This program was the perfect opportunity for someone like me—new to the design world but deeply passionate about healthcare innovation—to develop design skills while tackling real-world health challenges. It helped me approach problems from a user-centered perspective, understand pain points with empathy, and design with care. Ultimately, it became the foundation for my journey as a design thinker in healthcare." ?? How she would sum up her experience: "This program was my launchpad, propelling me from medicine into the design world and shaping my path in healthcare innovation." ? Your career in health design starts here. Apply Now: https://lnkd.in/gMjZEZnD #DesigninHealth #HealthDesign #UTAustin #HealthInnovation #HealthcareDesign #HumanCenteredDesign #FutureOfHealth #DesignThinking

From Capstone to #SXSW! This past weekend, Sabrina Highfield, MA in Design '25 took the stage at #SXSW 2025, sharing insights on designing neuroinclusive workspaces. As a panelist alongside our Advisory Council Member Ben Look of Seamless Ventures and their partners at Hope Network, Sabrina presented her Capstone project focused on helping employers build and scale workplaces that support neurodivergent employees. ???????????????????? At the MA in Design focused on Health, we’re shaping the future of health and work through human-centered design—bridging research, innovation, and real-world impact. Apply now to join the next cohort: https://lnkd.in/gMjZEZnD #DesigninHealth #HealthDesign #UTAustin #HealthInnovation #HealthcareDesign #HumanCenteredDesign #FutureOfHealth #DesignThinking #SXSW???????????????????????????????????

???? The MA in Design focused on Health program uniquely bridges Design and Health at the heart of collaboration. Whether it's brainstorming ideas, tackling real-world challenges, or just sharing a laugh—this is what experiential learning in human-centered design looks like! ?? Pictured here: Class of 2024 engaging in discourse, collaboration, and placing human-first focus on Design to create impact in Health. Here, ideas turn into action, and design becomes the vehicle for transforming health outcomes. Apply today to the MA in Design in Health program: #DesigninHealth #HealthDesign #UTAustin #HealthInnovation #HealthcareDesign #HumanCenteredDesign #FutureOfHealth

?? Alumni Spotlight: Divya Jain Divya Jain, Class of 2022, pursued the MA in Design focused on Health at UT Austin to drive impact within design, strategy, and public health. Now, as a Senior Lead Strategist at Noora Health, Divya is shaping global expansion, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning efforts to improve patient outcomes. Here's why she chose the program: "As a brand strategist and visual communication expert, I’ve always been passionate about using design to drive impact. But I wanted to go beyond visuals and storytelling—to shape strategies that improve healthcare systems and community well-being. Having gained relevant knowledge and experience in India, I was eager to now create an impact on a larger, global scale. That’s when I found the MA in Design focused on Health program. A turning point in her career:? "The program was a turning point, equipping me with the skills to bridge the worlds of design, strategy, and public health. It gave me the tools to critically analyze global healthcare systems, create innovative engagement models, and drive organizational change—skills that are essential in my work today." "For anyone passionate about social impact, human-centered design, and reimagining the future of healthcare, this program offers an incredible opportunity. It’s a transformative journey into health systems, service design, and global health innovation." ? Your career in health design starts here. Apply Now: https://lnkd.in/gMjZEZnD #DesigninHealth #HealthDesign #UTAustin #HealthInnovation #HealthcareDesign #HumanCenteredDesign #FutureOfHealth

?? Hear from Evan Stack, Class of 2023! Evan Stack is a graduate of the M.A. in Design focused on Health at UT Austin (Class of 2023) and currently a Doctor of Audiology Student at UT Dallas. ?? Ready to take the next step in your design journey? Watch Evan’s story and see what’s possible! ?? Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gMjZEZnD #HealthcareDesign #HumanCenteredDesign #DesignThinking #Innovation #UTMAinDesign

???What if healthcare providers were taught design? ? In the?MA in Design focused on Health?program, Dell Medical students learn alongside an interdisciplinary cohort of graduate students from architecture, education, engineering, business, public health, and the arts to address complex health challenges through human-centered design. ? This diverse group collaborates with Dell Medical School researchers, bringing an innovative, qualitative lens to traditionally quantitative research. For example, this year's projects include a partnership with Dell Dermatology to develop bandaging solutions for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, a rare skin condition, and with Dell Women's Health to improve access and engagement for postpartum mothers supported by Medicaid. ? We believe in the power of design to tackle the toughest problems in healthcare—and much of its strength comes from doctor-designers embedded within the system. If you're on a pre-health track and want to differentiate yourself, or if you're a med student taking a gap year, our program could be a perfect fit for you! ?? Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gMjZEZnD #DesigninHealth?#HealthDesign?#UTAustin #HealthInnovation?#HealthcareDesign #FutureLeaders #DellMed #DoctorDesigner

?? Exciting News! ?? We’re thrilled to share that Alexis Strong Artusi, Ph.D., Lecturer and former Interim Faculty Director for the M.A. in Design focused on Health at UT Austin, will be speaking at The Better Lab Journal Club this Wednesday (3/5/2025)! Dr. Artusi will be using her expertise in service design, hospitality, and healthcare innovation to lead an insightful discussion on "Hospitality in Healthcare: What We Get Wrong and the Upside to Getting It Right." Join the conversation and explore how human-centered design and hospitality principles can transform healthcare for better patient outcomes. #HealthcareDesign #Innovation #HospitalityinHealthcare #HumanCenteredDesign #DesignThinking #UTMAinDesign

Are you ready to transform healthcare through innovative design? UT Austin’s Master of Arts in Design focused on Health is a groundbreaking program designed to empower changemakers to address complex health challenges with creativity and purpose. Here are a few FAQs and their answers for those of you who are curious: ?? Q: Do you offer financial aid or scholarships? ?? A: Yes, we offer both! ?? Q: How long is the program? ?? A: It’s a 10-month, accelerated program beginning in August and ending in May. ?? Q: Do I need a portfolio to apply? ?? A: No, portfolios are not required, but they are welcome! ?? We are open to applicants from all disciplines and experience levels. Design thrives on a diversity of thought. ?? Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gMjZEZnD #DesigninHealth?#HealthDesign?#UTAustin #HealthInnovation?#HealthcareDesign #GradSchoolFAQ #FutureLeaders?

?? Course Spotlight: Service Design ??? Hear from faculty member, Dr. Alexis Strong Artusi (Alexis Strong Artusi, Ph.D.), about how her course in Service Design aims to shape the future of healthcare: "I strongly believe that the next leap forward in healthcare innovation is going to come from a deeper understanding of our patients and a more sophisticated approach to engaging them, building trust, and co-producing outcomes. It's an honor to teach the next generation of designers what that might look like in practice and I can't wait to see what healthcare looks like when these students unleash their talent and empathy on the system." ?? This course dives into: ? Applying design thinking to healthcare and other service sectors ? Analyzing service offerings to build blueprints for impact ? Testing service prototypes that prioritize empathy and user experience ?? Thinking about your next step? The MA in Design focused on Health equips students with the skills to excel as health design strategists, service designers, systems architects and more. ?? Applications are now open! Don’t miss the chance to join a program that prepares you for high-impact careers at the intersection of design, health, and innovation. ?? Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gMjZEZnD #DesignInHealth #HealthDesign #UTAustin #HealthcareInnovation #HumanCenteredDesign #FutureOfHealth