My first year of grad school was intense and somewhat challenging but not quite satisfying. I’ve been reflecting on it for most of the summer in order to figure out how to get the most out of the rest of my time in grad school.

 

Up to this point, I’ve had four classes:

  • Design Readings and Research with Jamie Runnells
  • Contemporary Media Studio with Seth Johnson
  • History of the Printed Image with Dr. Karen Henricks
  • Special Topics in Graphic Design: The Book Pitch with Jamie Runnels

In the fall I had Design Readings and Research, and Contemporary Media Studio. Design Readings and Research was a great class. I learned and put into practice new research skills, and did some in depth research on a project important to me. Contemporary Media introduced me to new equipment and media projects I hadn’t worked on before. The main focus was a group web project that turned out nice but wasn’t very fulfilling. I would have preferred to focus on my own projects, and to of had more of a say in our projects topic. However, Contemporary Media was probably my favorite class due to the class discussions on what it’s like to work in Education. I felt like it was a good introduction to grad school. I just wish I had more work to show for my first semester. 

In the spring I took an art history class with Dr. Karen Henricks on The History of the Printed Picture, and a Special Topics in Design class with Jamie Runnells in which we developed a concept, content, and a pitch for a book. I was excited about taking the book design class since I had some book projects in mind, but I wish I had taken something else. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had been a May class. Several of my classmates created some really exceptional pieces. My own project, a quirky funeral planning workbook, has not yet been completed due to my hospitalization at the end of April. I had hoped to wrap it up over the summer but have been struggling with PTSD. I was enjoying working on my book before I was hospitalized, but it’s been difficult to resume work on it after coming so close to death. I guess you could say it feels a little too close to home right now. Hopefully, I’ll have it wrapped up by the end of the calendar year.

My overall feelings about my first year are that I don’t have enough work to show for it, which is partially my fault, and that I’m not doing the kind of work I had hoped to be doing. One of the big things that attracted me to this program is that it’s an MFA in Visual Communication and not an MFA in Graphic Design. Visual Communication should be more expansive and inclusive than just ‘graphic design.’ I’m hoping to integrate a variety of mediums and technology into my MFA path, but it seems like it may be more difficult than I expected.

 

What I want:

  • Explore and experiment with new technology, mediums, and concepts. So far most of my projects have been too familiar.  
  • To focus more on conceptual projects and less on commercial projects. I think I’m feeling particularly frustrated because this program seems super commercial. I think I’d be happier in more of a fine arts program.
  • Few to No Group Projects. I came to grad school to focus on myself. I have plenty of experience working with others thanks to working in the field. 
  • To develop my voice as an artist and designer, and to develop a few bodies of work while in grad school.
  • More visiting artists and workshops.
  • More presentation, speaking, and teaching opportunities.

Some things I’d like to explore:

  • alternative processes in photography
  • ceramics, sculpture
  • installation, and multi-sensory art
  • filmmaking, sound design, lighting, stage crafts

Random thoughts:

  • This program seems to be aimed at those going straight from undergrad to grad school.
  • The term ‘visual communication’ may be a bit misleading since the bulk of the courses required are design studios.
  • I would prefer to have private studio space.
  • I wish the computer lab wasn’t used as a classroom. There have been times I wanted to work in it but a class was in session.
  • I’m disappointed the Art Alliance is no more. An honor society club replaced it but it’s somewhat exclusive. I think it’s a disservice to students not to have a general art club. There is a stronger feeling of division between the different concentrations now than when I was in undergrad.
  • All of the main MFA professors are graphic designers. They’re all super talented and specialize in different things but it does seem to make the program biased.