Graphic Design

Art is a means of expression and communication and a way to explore the world in which we live. Graphic designers use various creative techniques to invent images that communicate or influence ideas, emotions, and messages to others. Artists use these skills in advertising, publishing, set design, and teaching, or work in museums and galleries or as exhibiting artists.

Distinctive features at Miami

Broad exposure: Miami's art department, accredited through the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, brings together students of varied interests and talents: students who are studying to be practicing artists, students who are preparing to be art teachers, and students who are concentrating on art history. Often, art classes are composed of students from each of these three areas. This enriches and broadens exposure to different points of view.

Hands-on experience: Graphic design majors can participate in several programs with real-world clients, including the student-run design firm, Hiestand Design, and the branding practicum, Highwire Brand Studio.

Your program of study

The program offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design. While you can be admitted to Miami University by completing the application for admission, to be admitted into the B.F.A. program, you must go through a portfolio admission process.

During your first two years of study at Miami, in addition to several graphic design courses, you will establish a strong foundation in art with courses in basic design, drawing, and art history. You'll also complete requirements of the Miami Plan for Liberal Education, which gives you a well-balanced foundation in English, the humanities, social and other sciences, and critical thinking.

In your junior and senior years, the majority of your courses will be in graphic design. The program has two goals: to prepare you for the professional practice of design, and to provide the basis for your continued creative growth.

The graphic design program is structured in a problem-solving format. You'll develop visual communication skills, learn to integrate type and images using a variety of traditional and computer media, and imaginatively deliver clients' messages to their audiences. One of our focuses is the field of web design.

Study abroad

Although study abroad is valuable to any student, art students can benefit especially from this rich experience. Through our Dolibois European Center in Luxembourg, you have the opportunity to study abroad, earn regular Miami credit, and live in the heart of Western Europe. A wide variety of courses is offered, all designed to take advantage of the European location. Because travel is part of the program, you have many opportunities to see the great museums of Europe and to experience the ancient artistic traditions of the continent.

Going abroad in the summer is another way to experience other cultures. In the summer of each year, Miami offers more than 20 overseas study programs in a variety of fields including graphic design. All of these programs allow time for additional travel.

Facilities

The Department of Art is primarily housed in two buildings on the Miami University campus: Hiestand Hall and the Art Building. Relatively new or recently renovated, these buildings contain large lecture halls, small lecture rooms, and studios designed for the needs of students and instructors. The two buildings also contain several galleries for studio shows, traveling shows, visiting-artist shows, and faculty and student shows.

The graphic design computer labs in Hiestand Hall have student stations with Macintosh and Power Macintosh computers. These computers support page-design software, high-end drawing programs, and image-manipulating programs including QuarkXPress, Illustrator, FreeHand, and Photoshop.

The Wertz Art and Architecture Library, one of four university libraries, contains more than 40,000 books and 250 current periodical titles in applied art, art history, art education, architecture, urban planning, environmental design, and landscape architecture.

The Art Museum, designed by Walter Netsch of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, Chicago, is a dramatic limestone and glass structure that houses the university's art collection of more than 16,000 art objects ranging from antiquities to contemporary and representing most world cultures. An active student volunteer group, independent studies and internships for course credit, and student assistant positions offer a wide variety of experience for students.

The museum is the only institution of its kind at a state-assisted university in Ohio to hold accreditation from the American Association of Museums. Each year, the museum displays an average of 12 rotating exhibitions in its five galleries, drawing from the permanent collection and national traveling shows. It also sponsors free public lectures, films, panel discussions, and performances.

Careers

Graphic designers work in a wide variety of firms. Advertising agencies employ designers, with the possibility of rising to the position of art director. Many large businesses have graphic designers producing web sites as well as print publications for internal and external use. Museums, cultural centers, and universities also employ graphic designers to communicate with their audiences. Miami graduates have found work in all these areas.

For More Information

For general information about Miami University, please contact:

Office of Admission
301 S. Campus Ave.
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056-3434
513-529-2531 (v/t)
www.muohio.edu/requestinfo

For specific information on the Graphic Design major, please contact:

Department of Art
Art Building
Miami University
Oxford, OH 45056
513-529-2900
www.muohio.edu/art