How to Get an MFA in Visual Communications

Visual communications--the expression of ideas and concepts through images--is in the midst of a golden age. Digital design technology is driving incredible innovation in visual communications. Today's visual communicators have a vast palette of media at their disposal, from print media to 3D animation to interactive graphical user interfaces (GUI). Graphical communications shape contemporary culture. Entertainment, Internet media, product design, advertising, and even our social interactions are increasingly mediated through images. The emphasis on visual culture--especially digital media--has given rise to advanced degrees in visual communications. The standard terminal degree is currently the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in visual communications. This qualification offers you the opportunity to develop your technical expertise and design skills, leading to careers in professional design or academic teaching. This guide helps you prepare for an advanced degree in visual communications. First, an overview of the discipline helps you focus your career ambitions and plot an academic path to achieving them. Next, a step-by-step guide to the application process takes you through the logistics. With vision and careful planning, you can master the MFA in visual communications.

A Guide to the MFA in Visual Communications

Visual communications as it is practiced today engages both the arts and technical programming. According to a professor in the field, visual communications "brings together the disciplines of visual arts and technical, well-honed aesthetic sensibility, coupled with knowledge of craft techniques and fluency in current technology." A terminal degree presents visual communications both as an applied art and as a theoretical engagement with cultural expression.

The discipline has a split personality as both a practice and a theoretical discourse. The practice-based MFA is the standard terminus of formal education in visual communications. According to the College Art Association (CAA), which defines national standards for arts education, the MFA "is equivalent to terminal degrees in other fields such as the PhD or EdD."

As the field matures, visual communications is becoming something more than a commercial practice. As assistant professor of visual communications Paul Nini sees it, visual communications is evolving away from a commercial "product" and toward "a process that by its problem-solving nature includes investigative and analytical skills in the creation of communications." Expect to see a wider assortment of learning and career options as the discipline matures.

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How to Get an MFA in Visual Communications

Visual communications--the expression of ideas and concepts through images--is in the midst of a golden age. Digital design technology is driving incredible innovation in visual communications. Today's visual communicators have a vast palette of media at their disposal, from print media to 3D animation to interactive graphical user interfaces (GUI). Graphical communications shape contemporary culture. Entertainment, Internet media, product design, advertising, and even our social interactions are increasingly mediated through images. The emphasis on visual culture--especially digital media--has given rise to advanced degrees in visual communications. The standard terminal degree is currently the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in visual communications. This qualification offers you the opportunity to develop your technical expertise and design skills, leading to careers in professional design or academic teaching. This guide helps you prepare for an advanced degree in visual communications. First, an overview of the discipline helps you focus your career ambitions and plot an academic path to achieving them. Next, a step-by-step guide to the application process takes you through the logistics. With vision and careful planning, you can master the MFA in visual communications.

A Guide to the MFA in Visual Communications

Visual communications as it is practiced today engages both the arts and technical programming. According to a professor in the field, visual communications "brings together the disciplines of visual arts and technical, well-honed aesthetic sensibility, coupled with knowledge of craft techniques and fluency in current technology." A terminal degree presents visual communications both as an applied art and as a theoretical engagement with cultural expression.

The discipline has a split personality as both a practice and a theoretical discourse. The practice-based MFA is the standard terminus of formal education in visual communications. According to the College Art Association (CAA), which defines national standards for arts education, the MFA "is equivalent to terminal degrees in other fields such as the PhD or EdD."

As the field matures, visual communications is becoming something more than a commercial practice. As assistant professor of visual communications Paul Nini sees it, visual communications is evolving away from a commercial "product" and toward "a process that by its problem-solving nature includes investigative and analytical skills in the creation of communications." Expect to see a wider assortment of learning and career options as the discipline matures.

Resources

• For more information on visual communications, consult WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to Majors
• You can also search for available graduate degrees in the discipline via the Degrees by Subject resource
• Learn more about master's degrees

Specializations

Visual communications is an expansive discipline--you'll find a world of specialization opportunities ranging from traditional printmaking to interactive 3D animation.

Areas of concentration may focus on a particular commercial application of visual communications:

• Advertising communications
• Advertising design
• Web design
• Game design
• Environmental communications (signs, etc.)
• Architectural visualization (3D imaging)

Other specializations parse the field by the communications medium:

• 3D animation and video
• Multimedia
• Video and animation production
• Interaction and interface design
• Visual communication of data and information
• Visual communication of data and information
• Illustration

Because visual communications is an emerging academic discipline, MFA programs are taking their cues from faculty and graduate students alike. You face an opportunity to shape the discipline as you pursue your visual communications practice.

Career Tracks

A terminal degree in visual communications is designed to lead either to an academic career as a university professor or to a professional practice career as a designer. Academic track. Visual communications professors teach students to apply visual media and experiment with new approaches to visual expression. Professional practice. Visual communications graduates apply their skills in a range of commercial contexts. Some career options include:

• Art director for print or online media
• Merchandising communications manager
• Design artist or illustrator
• Graphic designer
• Multimedia artist
• Animator
• User experience designer
• Corporate communications specialist

Developing a sense of your career ambitions now may help you prepare effectively for the online MFA in visual communications. WorldWideLearn.com offers career planning and assessment tools to help you find your way. The Career Pathways resource features general advice to help you focus your career goals.

How to Apply for the MFA in Visual Communications

Finding your place in the emerging discipline of visual communications takes careful planning and research. WorldWideLearn.com offers resources to help you navigate the process. For general information about returning to college, start with The Insider's College Guide for Working Adults.

Find the Right Graduate Visual Communications Program

This step-by-step guide takes you through the MFA program research process. You'll find links to useful online resources for each step.

Step One: Develop a List of Accredited Programs
Goal: Compile a comprehensive list of accredited MFA degrees in visual communications. Online directories and accrediting agencies can help you create a list of graduate visual communications programs. Accreditation is the magic word at this stage of the research process. A baseline measure of program quality, accreditation ensures the value of your degree--and qualifies you for some federal financial aid programs. Independent associations such as the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the primary national accreditor, evaluate programs regularly to ensure that they conform to quality standards. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a comprehensive list of approved accreditation agencies. Find out more about the accreditation process at WorldWideLearn.com.

Resources
WorldWideLearn.com features a database of accredited online MFA programs in visual communications. Search Degrees by Subject to zero in on a specific program, or browse a list of university partners. WorldWideLearn.com enforces a high quality standard for its partners, including accreditation and other factors. The College Art Association publishes the most comprehensive directory of MFA programs, Graduate Programs in the Visual Arts: The CAA Directory. The directory represents 350 graduate-level degrees in art, including a number of digital communications programs classified under "Graphic and Web Design." National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), a major academic association representing 268 accredited art and design schools, features a member list searchable by program level. The Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) represents 36 leading art schools in the U.S. AICAD's site allows you to view member schools offering an MFA in visual communications. Find programs under "visual studies/visualization" and "graphic design/ graphic communication."

Step Two: Online or On-Campus MFA in Visual Communications?
Goal: Decide which education format you prefer--online or on-campus--and narrow down your list accordingly.

Online education is visual communications--it's not surprising, therefore, that the MFA in visual communications is widely available online. The online MFA in visual communications is ideally suited for professional designers who already have access to digital design facilities and software. The work-study synergy also affords online students the perfect laboratory for applying their education at work. Finally, all students can benefit from the convenience of an online MFA in visual communications. The self-paced, independent degree allows you to balance education alongside work and family commitments. Campus-based programs offer advantages for students working with traditional media who have access to a local visual communications MFA program. The campus-based degree is also the preferred format for aspiring academics who can take advantage of local networking opportunities, close collaboration with faculty mentors, and teaching assistantships. All campuses enjoy access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to support cutting-edge work in the field.
Ultimately, the right format for you depends on your circumstances, learning style, and learning objectives.

Resources
Explore Online Degree Programs and Campus Education at WorldWideLearn.com. You can learn more about the program formats and find schools that match your preferences. For campus-based programs, search Degrees by Location.

Step Three: Explore Program Academics
Goal: Focus your search by identifying academic programs that match your interests and ambitions.
Research programs carefully to find the perfect fit for your interests. Let the following factors guide your decision:

Faculty expertise School facilities, equipment, and software programs Specializations Curriculum and course requirements Special programs, including internships, publications, and exhibitions The best indicator of a school's approach to the MFA in visual communications is faculty expertise. Faculty interests and specialized skills typically shape the curriculum. Finding a professor whose interests match yours ensures you'll have the resources you need and also promises a resident expert who can mentor your work. Resources WorldWideLearn.com facilitates the school research process by connecting you with schools that match your profile. Fill out an online form indicating your academic program criteria, and the system puts you in touch with representatives from the matching schools. Use these conversations to collect information about what makes the program unique. You can also ask the academic counselor about program requirements, potential faculty mentors, and specialization options. School Web sites offer an easily accessible resource for program information. In addition to the basic outline of program requirements, you'll find examples of faculty and student work, faculty bios and CVs, course reading lists, and other detailed resources. Design journals and magazines may help you identify who is doing groundbreaking work in visual communications and where they are doing it. Academic journals are particularly useful in getting an inside look at the visual communications discipline--they include Visible Language Design Issues, AIGA Journal Loop (American Institute of Graphic Arts), Statements (American Center for Design). Also check out major design magazines such as Emigr??, Print, Metropolis, and I.D. Step Four: Evaluate Program Quality Goal: Weigh the relative merits of the programs on your list and create a final list of six to ten programs to which you'll apply. Identify the online or on-campus programs that offer the best value for your tuition dollar--without overshooting your competitiveness as an applicant. Factors to consider include: Reputation Selectivity Job placement statistics Career support resources Financial aid resources Resources Rankings by high-profile publications give you a sense of a school's quality and selectivity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the Best Multimedia and Visual Communications Graduate Schools. School admissions and placement statistics offer a reliable picture of the school's resources, reputation and selectivity, and career emphases. Campus visits to your final schools give you a holistic impression of the program. In-person meetings with faculty and students are a good idea even if you're headed toward an online MFA in visual communications. Preparing for an MFA in Visual Communications After you've settled on a final list of schools, completing the application process is a matter of connecting the dots. The following four steps take you through the logistics of preparing for an online or campus-based MFA in visual communications: 1. Satisfy prerequisites Standard prerequisites for graduate visual communications programs include: Portfolio. The centerpiece of your application is your portfolio. Present your best design work, demonstrating basic technical skills and your unique creative vision. Bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual communications, visual arts, or a related field. Some schools may permit you to apply with an unrelated undergraduate degree, provided you have completed college-level coursework in design. These prerequisite courses also help you develop a portfolio of your work. Standardized exams. Most MFA programs in visual communications require the GRE as well as the TOEFL (for international students). 2. Compile and submit application materials Program admission requirements may vary, but most require you to assemble the following documents: Letters of recommendation (faculty or professional) Academic transcripts Test scores Personal statement Portfolio (slides or digital format) Many schools encourage applicants to submit their materials electronically. 3. Secure financial aid Schools typically offer some financial aid, but expect to supplement these resources through other means. Funding sources include: Teaching assistantships Scholarships or grants Corporate sponsorships Federal and private student loans Learn more about your graduate education funding options at WorldWideLearn.com. 4. Build your network It's not too early to get involved in the academic community. Networking is a valuable feature of the MFA in visual communications. Start building relationships now by: Joining professional associations such as AIGA, a national association representing graphic artists and designers Attending conferences and design exhibitions Reading academic journals and design magazines As you prepare for the degree, refer to WorldWideLearn.com's Education Resources Guide, which offers useful information on test preparation courses, online learning strategies, financial aid, and more. Becoming a Visual Communications Professional The MFA in visual communications offers the resources to help you master your craft. In addition, you'll gain inside access to the visual communications profession. Whether you choose an academic or a professional career path, the terminal degree helps you assume a position of leadership within the design community. Prepare for your future at the vanguard of design by planning your MFA today. Sources AIGA, Cramming Conceptual Abilities into Design Curricula, by Dan Warner Alpha Auer, The History of Visual Communication, by Elif Ayiter Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington, Graphic Design or Visual Communication: Product vs. Process, by Paul Nini Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD), Graduate Programs in Visual Studies/Visualization Bureau of Labor Statistics, Graphic Designers College Art Association, MFA Standards Graduate Catalog, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth McDaniel College, Communication as an Academic Discipline University of Baltimore, Doctorate in Communications Design University of Washington, Visual Communications Design MFA Program U.S. Department of Education, Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs U.S. News & World Report, Best Multimedia and Visual Communications Graduate Schools Wiley P, A History of Graphic Design, by Philip B. Meggs

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