Visual Communication Design
saic.edu/viscom
Visual Communication Design students explore the transformative power of design as they develop their analytical skills, personal voice, and visual language. The program challenges students to actively engage the world and define their role as contributing designers working at the intersection of art, design, and mass culture.
Exploration by design
Experimentation is at the core of the program. Students begin by exploring different methodologies before charting their own trajectories to pursue their interests. With access to a rich array of tools and ideas, students acquire new skills and hone their studio practice as they develop an innovative and mature body of work, culminating in projects that are critically presented in the MFA thesis exhibition.
Interdisciplinary engagement
The individualized approach allows students to add new dimensions to their design by exploring other disciplines— from Printmedia and Writing to Photography, Film, Video, New Media, Animation, and Architecture. Engaging with like-minded creatives across departments allows students to make inventive and often unexpected connections in their work.
Renowned faculty
Our renowned faculty represents the diversity of contemporary design, practice, theory, and research, with thriving practices both self-initiated and client-associated, physical and virtual, individual and collaborative. They guide students to explore issues of personal interest while examining how design influences and reflects cultural, social, political, industrial, and technological forces.
Options for students of all experience levels
In addition to the two-year Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program, students without prior experience can also pursue the one-year Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Studio to prepare for admission into the MFA program.
Visiting Designer Series
Each year, the department hosts Exploratory Languages, a lecture series featuring leading designers and design educators. Recent lecturers have included Henk van Assen, Michelle Bowers, Kate Bingaman-Burt, Philip Burton, Anne Bush, and David Dunlap.
Faculty
JOHN BOWERS
STEPHEN FARRELL
ALEX KOSTIW
PIOTR MICHURA
JACOB RISTAU
MARK ADDISON SMITH
For complete faculty listing visit: saic.edu/viscom
Application Deadline: January 10
Curriculum Requirements
Studio
Art History
ARTHI 5002 Graduate Survey of Modern and Contemporary Art (3) or ARTHI 5120 Survey of Modern and Contemporary Architecture and Design (3) Art History Courses at the
(9)
Any course in any area at 3000 level or above
Participation in four graduate critiques
Participation in ONE of the following as appropriate to artistic practice: Graduate Exhibition, Graduate Performance Event, Graduate Screenings
Application Process
Submit:
› Online application
› Official college transcripts
› Statement of purpose
› Letters of recommendation
› ePortfolio
› Résumé
