Master of Fine Arts in Design

M.F.A. in DESIGN PROGRAM VIEWBOOK 2025–2026 Edition

Welcome, from the Leadership Team:

The School of Art & Design has been an innovative, interdisciplinary creative learning environment since its inception in the 1960s. Not only that, UW–Stout was founded in 1891 on principles from the Arts & Crafts movement, showing a progressive embrace of creative thinking that predates formalized Art & Design education in the USA. In true polytechnic fashion, the program is inherently interdisciplinary, bringing ideas from multiple domains into conversation while examining those ideas from several perspectives. Led by a distinguished and robust team of faculty, the strength of the program lies in the way our students “connect the dots.” Our cutting edge technological resources allow for innovative concepts to permeate other fields in surprising ways, and our long history with traditional Design areas grounds us firmly in tradition and craft. As you can see, students in the M.F.A. in Design can concentrate in a specific area, or blend interests together to create new and unique emphases and areas of expertise. Please look through these pages and explore the opportunities and possibilities our program can provide.

Thanks!

Shelley Pecha, M.F.A. Department Chair, Department of Design

Aaron M. Durst, D.M.A. Associate Dean and Director of the School of Art & Design

Robert Fraher, Ph.D., M.F.A. Director of the M.F.A. in Design Program

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Table of Contents

About the M.F.A.

4 6 8

About the University

Curriculum Focus Areas

10–15

Design for Sustainability

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Creative Thesis

20 22 24 26 28

Graduate Assistantships Research Dissemination

Labs & Facilities Campus Map M.F.A. Alumni M.F.A. Faculty

30–37

38 40

Application Procedure

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The M.F.A. in Design is a deliberately interdisciplinary program, in contrast to our highly specialized undergraduate degrees. Graduate students choose a focus area, and explore emerging design issues often beyond the reach of any one design discpline. Our program covers every major offered at the BFA level, but we have particular strengths in emerging media areas including interactive design, game design, transmedia storytelling, and user experience design. The program typically takes 3 years of study. Coursework is primarily of an applied nature, culminating in a creative thesis project, and related exhibition, presentation, or other public dissemination. Master of Fine Arts programs typically focus on the fine or applied arts, including visual arts, creative writing, graphic design, photography, filmmaking, dance, theatre, other performing arts and in some cases, theatre management or arts administration. The Master of Fine Arts differs from the Master of Arts in that the M.F.A., while still an academic program, centers on professional creative practice in the particular field, whereas programs leading to the MA usually center on the scholarly, academic, or critical study of the field. Additionally, in the United States, an M.F.A. is recognized as a terminal degree for practitioners—meaning that it is considered the highest degree in its field, qualifying an individual to become a professor at the university level in these disciplines.

BEST INDUSTRIAL DESIGN SCHOOLS College Values Online

# 1 IN WISCONSIN ANIMATION Animation Career Review

# 4

GRADUATE PROGRAM IN GAME DESIGN IN THE MIDWEST, 2025

TOP 25 SINCE 2016

2025

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About the M.F.A.

Student Hue Vang works on his award-winning thesis project, “Sun of the Children.”

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About our campus

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Nestled in Menomonie, bordering the Chippewa Valley region of western Wisconsin and an hour’s drive from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, UW–Stout is a campus of approximately 7,000 students. Menomonie is a vibrant college town of over 16,000, home to bike trails, craft breweries, farmer’s markets, and a thriving historic downtown. It was named the 15 th Best Small Town in America by Smithsonian Magazine . UW–Stout’s namesake is its founder, James Huff Stout, whose progressive views on industry and education were rooted in the Arts & Crafts movement. Today, his spirit lives on in the special mission of the campus, officially designated as “Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University.” With an enrollment of over 1,300 students, the School of Art & Design is the largest public Art & Design unit in the upper Midwest, and is larger than most independent art schools.

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CURRICULUM

The M.F.A. is a 60-credit, terminal degree. M.F.A. students take a 30-credit “core” curriculum of courses on advanced topics in Design theory, research, application, ethics, sustainability, and history. In addition, students take a set of courses (21 credits) in a focus area of their choosing, comprising Art & Design Studio Selectives. Students also take 9 credits of Focus Electives from available graduate courses outside their focus area, including interdisciplinary courses from across campus.

CORE COURSES 21 credits / evening classes 9 credits of Thesis FOCUS AREA (your “major”) 21 credits / very flexible 9 credits of Focus Electives (interdisciplinary)

30 cr.

30 cr.

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Sample Schedule

FULL-TIME STUDENT

This is set up for an even-year fall and odd-year spring: ‘24–25, ‘26–27, etc.

FIRST YEAR: 24 CREDITS

FALL SEMESTER: 9 credits

SPRING SEMESTER: 9 credits

SUMMER SEMESTER: 3 credits

3 cr.

3 cr.

3 cr.

History of Design Seminar Core requirement

Critical Issues in Design Education & Practice Core requirement

Focus Area Dual-listed course

3 cr.

Ethics in Design Core requirement

3 cr.

3 cr.

Focus Area Independent Study

Design Seminar 1 Core requirement

3 cr.

3 cr.

Focus Elective Interdisciplinary course

Focus Area Dual-listed course

This is set up for an odd-year fall and even-year spring: ‘23–24, ‘25–26, etc.

SECOND YEAR: 24 CREDITS

FALL SEMESTER: 9 credits

SPRING SEMESTER: 9 credits

SUMMER SEMESTER: 6 credits

3 cr.

3 cr.

3 cr.

Research Strategies in Design Core requirement

Sustainable Design II: Global impact Focus Area

Design Seminar 2 Core requirement

3 cr.

3 cr.

3 cr.

Visual Communication for Graduate Study Focus Area

Sustainable Design Practice Core requirement

Focus Area Independent Study

3 cr.

3 cr.

Graduate Design Studio Focus Area

Focus Elective Interdisciplinary course

We are using 9 credits as an average. full-time semester. Students can (and do) enroll in 12 credits.

THIRD YEAR: 12 CREDITS

FALL SEMESTER : 6 credits

SPRING SEMESTER : 6 credits

NOTE: There is no suggested schedule for part-time students. Part-time students sometimes take 3 credits per semester, and sometimes 6–9 credits. There are no restrictions regarding full-time vs. part-time enrollment.

3 cr.

Graduate Thesis in Design Core requirement

Graduate Thesis in Design Core requirement

3 cr.

Focus Elective Interdisciplinary course

Graduate Thesis in Design Core requirement

FOCUS AREA Animation & Digital Media

# 1 IN WISCONSIN ANIMATION Animation Career Review

The Animation area benefits from high-tech computer labs and the Vicon Motion Capture lab, as well as interdisciplinary faculty with backgrounds in a variety of forms of animation and visual storytelling. Our faculty have expertise with 2D and 3D animation, 3D visualization, motion capture, stop-motion, and puppetry.

FOCUS AREA & RELATED COURSES Concept Art Digital Cinema Studio (repeatable)

AFFILIATE FACULTY Dave Beck, M.F.A., M.A. Professor, Game Design Holly Clark, M.F.A. Sr. Lecturer, Design Erik Evensen, M.F.A. Professor, Design Karl Koehle, M.F.A. Assistant Professor, Game Design Jonathan Wheeler, M.F.A. Assistant Professor, Video Production

AREA FACULTY Michael Heagle, M.F.A. Associate Professor Augustus Hinton, B.F.A. Lecturer Adeline Newmann, M.F.A. Assistant Professor Emalie Tison, B.S., B.F.A. Lecturer Jesse Woodward, M.F.A. Assistant Professor

3D Modeling & Animation I 3D Modeling – Hard Surface 3D Modeling – Organics 2D Animation II Animation Production

3D Character Animation Animation Capstone 1 Animation Capstone 2 History of Film Graduate Design Studio (repeatable) Transmedia Studio Virtual, Augmented, Mixed Reality Visual Effects & Compositing

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FOCUS AREA Cinema, Video, & Photography

UW–Stout’s photographic areas are richly connected, drawing faculty expertise from across disciplines. Graduate students can blend disciplinary expertise in a number of ways. Faculty expertise includes advertising, documentary film, genre narrative, and web series development, as well as crossover with Animation.

FOCUS AREA & RELATED COURSES Digital Cinema Studio (repeatable) Intro to Photographic Lighting Advertising Photography Transmedia Studio Color Seminar Graduate Design Studio (repeatable) Art Photography Studio Motion Graphics Advanced Video Production Virtual & Augmented Reality Visual Effects & Compositing History of Film Coming of Age in Literature & Film Visual Effects & Compositing Technology Futures

AFFILIATE FACULTY Morgan Barrie, M.F.A. Associate Professor, Studio Art Michael Heagle, M.F.A. Associate Professor Kim Loken, M.Arch. Associate Professor, Game Design Dan Neubauer, M.I.D. Associate Professor, Industrial Design

AREA FACULTY Cassandra Kopp, M.S. Senior Lecturer Troy LaFaye, M.S. Lecturer Keif Oss, M.F.A., M.S. Assistant Professor Colin O’Neill, M.F.A. Lecturer Jonathan Wheeler, M.F.A. Assistant Professor

Jesse Woodward, M.F.A. Assistant Professor, Animation

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FOCUS AREA Game Design & Development

# 6 IN THE NATION PUBLIC GRADUATE PROGRAMS The Princeton Review

With its Vicon Motion Capture lab, robust computer labs, and high profile creative output, UW–Stout’s Game Design area has been nationally ranked by the Princeton Review and Animation Career Review since its inception. The M.F.A. in Design is currently #6 among public institutions.

2025

FOCUS AREA & RELATED COURSES Concept Art

AFFILIATE FACULTY Seth Berrier, Ph.D. Professor, Computer Science Holly Clark, M.F.A. Sr. Lecturer, Design Erik Evensen, M.F.A. Professor, Design Michael Tetzlaff, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Computer Science

AREA FACULTY Dave Beck, M.F.A., M.A. Professor Jackie Cummings, M.F.A. Lecturer Karl Koehle, M.F.A. Assistant Professor Kim Loken, M.Arch. Associate Professor Andrew Williams, Ph.D. Professor

3D Modeling & Animation I 3D Modeling – Hard Surface 3D Modeling – Organics 3D Character Animation Game Art & Engines

Game Design/Dev Capstone 1 Game Design/Dev Capstone 2 History of Interactive Media Color Seminar Graduate Design Studio (repeatable) Transmedia Studio Tech and Professional Comm. in the Games Industry Technology Futures

Jesse Woodward, M.F.A. Assistant Professor, Animation

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FOCUS AREA Graphic Design & Interactive Media

# 1 IN WISCONSIN GRAPHIC DESIGN Animation Career Review

Graphic Design & Interactive Media is the largest and most robust disciplinary area in the School of Art & Design. Students in the M.F.A. in Design can focus on a generalist approach, or specialize in Interactive Media & UX Design. Graphic Design & related faculty are widely published and recognized.

FOCUS AREA & RELATED COURSES Digital Illustration Signage and Exhibition Design Publication Design Advertising Design Product & Packaging Graphics Information Design Typographic Design Typography in Motion Introduction to Web Design Interactive Media Design Advanced Interactive Design User Experience Design Advanced UX Design Healthcare UX Design Graduate Design Studio (repeatable)

AFFILIATE FACULTY Erik Evensen, M.F.A. Professor, Design Wendy Jedlicka, M.I.M., Ed.D. (c) Sr. Lecturer, Sustainable Design

AREA FACULTY Calee A. H. Cecconi, M.F.A. Assistant Professor Alex DeArmond, M.F.A. Professor Robert Fraher, Ph.D. , M.F.A. Professor Katherine Lupton, M.F.A. Assistant Professor Nagesh Shinde, M.F.A. Professor

Dan Lang, B.F.A. Sr. Lecturer, Design

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FOCUS AREA Industrial & Product Design

# 9 IN THE NATION INDUSTRIAL DESIGN PROGRAMS College Values Online

UW-Stout affords opportunities for graduate students to become generalists or specialists. Our faculty are widely published as designers and researchers, and hold dozens of design patents, as well as gold and silver IDEA awards.

FOCUS AREA & RELATED COURSES

Product Interface Design Design for Manufacture Advanced Design Drawing Capstone I: Adv. Research Methods Capstone II: Thesis Graduate Design Studio (repeatable) Sustainable Design Studio Sustainable Design II: Global Impact Color Seminar Transmedia Studio Architectural Preservation Technology Futures The Built Environment Sustainable Engineering Cultural and Historical Foundations of Sustainability

AREA FACULTY Jennifer Astwood, M.F.A. Professor; Associate Dean Andy Janetski, M.F.A. SEA Lecturer Dan Neubauer, M.I.D. Associate Professor Emily Pieper, B.F.A. Lecturer

AFFILIATE FACULTY Erik Evensen, M.F.A. Professor, Design Wendy Jedlicka, M.I.M. SEA, CPP Sr. Lecturer, Sustainable Design Kim Loken, M.Arch. LEED-AP Associate Professor, Game Design Katherine Lupton, M.F.A. Assistant Professor, Graphic Design & Interactive Media

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FOCUS AREA Interior Design

100 % OF FULL-TIME FACULTY ARE WELL -CERTIFIED

UW–Stout’s Interior Design area allows students to work in interdisciplinary projects, sustainability, and adaptive reuse. Our faculty include WELL-certified and LEED-certified professionals and certified Sustainability Excellence Associates.

FOCUS AREA & RELATED COURSES

Hospitality & Retail Interior Design Healthcare & Wellness Interior Design Corportate & Workplace Educational, Civic, & Cultural Residential & Senior Living Interdisciplinary Interior Design Studio Color Seminar The Built Environment Cultural and Historical Foundations of Sustainability Environmental Concerns in Construction Signage and Exhibition Design Graduate Design Studio (repeatable) Sustainable Construction Architectural Preservation

AREA FACULTY Shelley Pecha, M.F.A. WELL-AP Professor; Department Chair Julie Peterson, Ph.D. WELL-AP Professor Nicolette Brehm, M.F.A. WELL-AP Assistant Professor Leanne Larson, B.F.A. LEED-AP Lecturer Lindsy Tomski, B.F.A. Lecturer

AFFILIATE FACULTY James E. Bryan, Ph.D. Professor, Design History Wendy Jedlicka, M.I.M. SEA, CPP Sr. Lecturer, Sustainable Design Kim Loken, M.Arch. LEED-AP Associate Professor, Game Design Rebecca Svehla, Ph.D.(c) Assistant Professor, Design History

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FOCUS AREA Fashion Design & Development

UW-Stout’s Fashion Design area allows students to focus on wearable products of all varieties. By creating your own business models and innovative solutions to industry challenges, you will gain real-life insights into the strategic directions of manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.

FOCUS AREA & RELATED COURSES

Cultural & Socio-Psychological Aspects of Fashion & Trends Advanced Pattern Development Digital Construction for Apparel and Footwear Product Development & Distribution Knit Design and Technology User Centered Functional Design and Development Portfolio Development for Apparel Design and Development Advanced Draping Advanced Flat Pattern Color Seminar Sustainable Design Studio Sustainable Design II: Global Impact

AREA FACULTY Ali Khan, M.F.A. Associate Professor Jongeun Rhee, Ph.D. Professor Sarah Eileen Smith, M.S. Lecturer Bex Cermin, M.F.A.(c) Lecturer

AFFILIATE FACULTY Jennifer Astwood, M.F.A. Professor; Associate Dean Wendy Jedlicka, M.I.M. SEA, CPP Sr. Lecturer, Sustainable Design

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FOCUS AREA Illustration

UW-Stout’s brand-new Illustration area merges a strong foundation in art fundamentals and visual storytelling allowing students to develop a personal style through specialized courses. Students work closely with award-winning faculty to find their unique illustration voice and prepare for success in creative industries.

FOCUS AREA & RELATED COURSES Digital Illustration

AFFILIATE FACULTY Erik Evensen, M.F.A. Professor, Design Brianna Capra, M.F.A. Lecturer, Studio Art Mary Climes, M.F.A. Assistant Professor, Studio Art

AFFILIATE FACULTY Kimberly Delain, PgDip. Sr. Lecturer, Design Wendy Jedlicka, M.I.M. SEA, CPP Sr. Lecturer, Sustainable Design

Illustration Concepts (repeatable) Illustration Portfolio Development Illustration Capstone Digital Imagery Studio (repeatable) Comics 3 (repeatable) Drawing 3 Life Drawing 3 Painting 3 Color Seminar Signage and Exhibition Design Graduate Design Studio (repeatable)

Dan Lang, B.F.A. Sr. Lecturer, Design

Sam Kalda, M.F.A. Lecturer, Studio Art

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SPECIALTY AREA Sustainable Design

UW-Stout’s commitment to sustainability in Design Education includes a roster of accredited and certified faculty and electives from a range of departments across campus. Students are encouraged to build a course plan that identifies sustainability initiatives within their own disciplines.

ACCREDITED & CERTIFIED FACULTY Wendy Jedlicka, M.I.M., Ed.D(c) SEA, CPP Senior Lecturer, Sustainable Design

Shelley Pecha, M.F.A. NCIDQ, WELL-AP Professor, Interior Design Julie Peterson, Ph.D. NCIDQ, WELL-AP Professor, Interior Design Nicolette Brehm, M.F.A. NCIDQ, WELL-AP Assistant Professor, Interior Design

Kim Loken, M.Arch. LEED-AP Associate Professor, Game Design Andy Janetski, M.F.A. SEA Lecturer, Industrial + Product Design

CERTIFICATE in DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABILITY The Department of Design is proud to offer a Graduate Certificate program in Design for Sustainability. The program can be completed entirely using courses from the M.F.A. in Design program. It is also a stand-alone program for students only interested in a 12-credit experience.

3 cr.

3 cr.

Sustainable Design Practice Core requirement

Sustainable Design II: Global Impact Focus Area

3 cr.

3 cr.

Ethics in Design Core requirement

Elective Focus Area or Focus Selective

FOR MORE INFO, CONTACT: Wendy Jedlicka, M.I.M., Ed.D.(c) Sr. Lecturer, Sustainable Design

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RELATED PUBLISHED RESEARCH

Alesch, Jonathan. Flow and Aura: Arts and Crafts philosophies made manifest in present-day, hands-on research. Proceedings of the Polytechnic Summit 2022 in Darmstadt (Germany), June 28–30, 2022. Cummings, J., Feng, L., Hannen, D., Kromrie, J., Stan, T., Yang, J. (2020), “Post COVID-19 Green Recovery) researchgate Wigdahl, Matthew (2020), “Lake Menomin Project: Exploring an Outdoor Museum Piece using Design Research techniques.” Dialogue (p. 106), the proceedings from the AIGA Design Educators Community conferences. Brehm, Nicolette (2020), “From Vacant Shopping Malls to Thriving Senior Living Facilities.” Master of Fine Arts thesis in Design. Koss, Zach (2018), “Current climate: adaptive approaches to communicating Minnesota’s climate challenges through graphic design.” Master of Fine Arts thesis in Design.

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Jackie Cummings Hue Vang

Bex Cermin

Nicolette Brehm Drew Hagen

Zi-Xu Tian

Kerstin Nye

Jackson Yang

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The Creative Thesis

The M.F.A. in Design culminates with the production of a year-long creative thesis project in a design discipline of your choice, under a thesis committee of your choice. Students first take Design Seminar II, a thesis preparation class, and Creative Thesis in Design, an independent production class. The project is supported by a written paper and exhibited in a public venue.

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The M.F.A. in Design offers Graduate Assistant positions for students enrolled full-time (6 credits or more) in the program. Assistantships are primarily considered a form of financial aid for students to help complete their graduate degree programs. Assistantships are 25% time appointments, and offer an annual stipend salary. Assistantships consist of classroom support positions, lab or research assistants, and a School of Art & Design media assistant. Position descriptions change periodically. Additional graduate assistantships are available across campus, outside the School of Art & Design. Graduate Assistantships are professional opportunities that support key areas on campus, such as classroom support, lab support, and administrative or research support. Graduate Assistantships can help prepare students to find related positions after graduating. Examples include:

Jonny Wheeler, M.F.A. ‘21 Former GA, Classroom Support Assistant Professor of Video Production, UW–Stout

Kerstin Nye, M.F.A. ‘24 Former GA, Digital Process Lab VP of Research & Development, Kite Soda

Morgan Brantner, M.F.A. ‘21 Former GA, Motion Capture Lab Senior Technical Artist, Rouge MoCap

Terri Stan, M.F.A. ‘22 Former GA, Classroom Support Faculty & Program Director, CVTC

Yasmine Coulibaly, M.F.A. ‘25 Former GA, Motion Capture Lab Multimedia Designer, The Toro Company

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Graduate Assistantships

Animation student Danielle Pedersen demonstrates UW-Stout’s Vicon Motion Capture equipment in the Emerging Technologies Laboratory, one of the possible Graduate Assistantship areas.

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Matt Wigdahl (M.F.A. ‘21) presented a research poster, “Lake Menomin Project: Exploring an Outdoor Museum Piece,” based on a class project, at DECIPHER 2018: an AIGA Design Research Conference held at the University of Michigan’s Stamps School of Art & Design. Bex Cermin (M.F.A. ‘25) presented a line of apparel, Un.Real, at the Omaha Fashion Week in August, 2024.

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Research Dissemination

Graduate students have a number of opportunities for funded travel related to academic conferences, international study, creative research, and other scholarly experiences. The work of our M.F.A. students has recently been presented in a variety of venues:

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The green screen studio in Sorensen Hall is heavily used by students taking Cinema, Photography, and Video Production classes.

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Labs & Facilities

The School of Art & Design’s on-campus studios and labs include everything from computer labs to video production suites, to fashion, ceramics, fine art, and jewelry studios. Our Polytechnic mission allows for an ideal environment for production, as students explore ideas, develop prototypes, and execute creative projects.

Vicon Motion Capture Lab Photogrammetry Lab Green Screen studio Recording studios Photography studios Editing suites

Wacom digital drawing & sculpting labs Game Design central studio Gaming & Digital Innovation Lab

Digital Fabrication Lab Traditional Process Lab Furlong Gallery

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Campus Map

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Admissions O ce

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Lot #30

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The M.F.A. program occupies several buildings on campus, with a home base in Applied Arts, the center of the School of Art & Design.

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12 Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center Includes Gaming and Digital Innovation Lab (Game Library) 46 Communication Technologies Primary classroom & lab spaces for Video Production, Fashion Design & Development.

19 Applied Arts Building School of Art & Design main offices. M.F.A. workspace. Primary Art & Design studios, classrooms, & labs. 17 Micheels Hall Game Design classrooms & labs. Vicon Motion Capture lab. Furlong Gallery. 45 Memorial Student Center

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Since our first graduate in 2015, our M.F.A. alumni have gone on to strong careers in industry as specialists, creative directors, and leaders, and in academia as instructors and tenure-track faculty. *

Nicolette Brehm (M.F.A. ‘20) Assistant Professor of Interior Design, UW-Stout my knowledge on the topics and allowed me to look at them from a different lens.” “I loved having classmates from diverse design backgrounds. Their perspectives broadened

“I was really looking to hone my skills, and I’m interested in design leadership. I liked the cross-disciplinary approach of the program and the theoretical issues we tackled.”

Andrew Murphy (M.F.A. ‘18) Head of Corporate Engagement, Apple

“My experience in the program has had a remarkable impact on my career, income, and future prospects. It’s honestly been the best investment I’ve ever made.”

Michelle Mailey Noben (M.F.A. ‘17) User Experience Research lead, Grainger

“We’re thinking about the ‘why’ of design and questioning the role design plays in society. It’s a much broader perspective.”

Zach Koss (M.F.A. ‘18) Art Director, Snapfish

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*positions may not still be current

M.F.A. Alumni

“The strong support from my professors was nothing short of a gift. I’ve learned a lot from them beyond art and design that helped me grow as a person.”

Hue Vang (M.F.A. ‘18) Matte Painter, Dreamworks Animation

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“I’m proud of how my art and design improved and seeing where I am now.” —JACKSON CHUFENG YANG, M.F.A. ‘23

M.F.A. Alumni

Featured Alumni: Jackson Yang

Jackson Yang’s education at UW-Stout has given him confidence in himself and his artwork, but his journey was deeper than his degrees. Yang’s education also led him on a spiritual journey of rediscovering his Hmong culture through the arts. Yang struggled to embrace his culture for much of his life, until the second year of his undergrad. “I grew up rejecting that part of my identity, and Stout helped me find love for my community again and to dive into and re-embrace my culture,” he said. During his undergrad, Yang joined Hmong Stout Student Organization, and his cousin Kalvin, a student team member in the Multicultural Student Services office, helped him learn about traditional Hmong arts. “It was the art and wanting to make my mom proud that was my gateway back into the Hmong culture. I want to pay respect to my culture,” Yang said. And for students who want to re-embrace their culture, he thinks, “You have to find something that you can connect with. It could be something simple or big. It all comes down to who you are as a person.” Transforming tradition into modern-day storytelling As a graphic designer and illustrator, Yang’s dream is to work with the Hmong community, teaching the next generation about the traditional arts through design, children’s book illustrations or comics. His graduate research is dedicated to Hmong culture, bringing elements of traditional story cloths and flower cloths – Paj Ntaub – and their embroidered motifs and aesthetics into contemporary digital storytelling. “Jackson explored these themes through the lens of an illustrated YA novel for kids who find themselves navigating between two cultural identities,” said Erik Evensen, M.F.A. in design program director and Yang’s thesis adviser. “Working with Jackson has been nothing short of delightful. He is incredibly thoughtful and motivated, and his work is well crafted and quite beautiful.”

Adapted from a story originally written by Abby Goers, May 2023

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While sharing the history of Paj Ntaub, Yang also illustrates the story of To Broken Souls, using the story cloth style, telling the story of Ben, a young Hmong man, and a leaf frond spirit and the connections they make. Yang’s mother played a role in his educational journey as well. “A large portion of why I wanted to reconnect with my culture was for my mother. I wanted to make her proud and show her just how much she means to me, which was one of the reasons why I pursued the M.F.A. and focused on the Hmong arts. “She loved making flower cloths, so her eyes would always light up when I showed any kind of interest in it, especially for my education,” Yang said. Yang learned the story cloths and Paj Ntaub were art forms pioneered by women. He studied their selection of colors used in the textiles, the spacing of images and texture. “The embroidery creates a natural texture, even in the placement of the direction of the stitches,” he said. “I admire the intricate designs of the folding and sewing techniques they use. It’s very difficult.” Yang is thankful for the support he received during his time at UW-Stout, naming mentors Tanya Gunkel, Educational Materials Center librarian; Aubrey Huff, former librarian; as well as his thesis committee members – Evensen; Associate Professor Mitchell Ogden, English, philosophy and communication; and Assistant Professor Mary Climes, of comics. “I had originally wanted to include my mother in some capacity for my thesis. She unfortunately will never be able to see what I had planned for the future after graduation,” he said. “My brother, sister-in-law and sister have supported me in my mother’s place.” Jackson Yang graduated in Spring, 2023, and was hired as an advertising designer for Menards. He is now a Graphic Designer for UW-Stout Marketing & Communications. Yang’s mother died in 2022 from COVID.

“Working with Jackson has been delightful. He is incredibly thoughtful and motivated, and his work is well-crafted and quite beautiful.” —ERIK EVENSEN, THESIS ADVISOR

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My experience at Stout, both as an undergraduate and graduate, has changed me to become a better designer.

M.F.A. Alumni

—TERRI STAN, M.F.A. ‘22

Featured Alumni: Terri Stan Terri Stan was a graphic designer at Shopko in Appleton when she decided to switch careers from corporate design work to teaching in higher education. She met her goals even before earning her M.F.A. in design from UW-Stout. Stan is the program director of the Associate of Arts in graphic design at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire. But her road to her new career was long, literally– she put in countless hours and miles driving to and from Menomonie and Appleton to earn her degree. “Stan’s master’s thesis on ‘Graphic Design Education and Neurodiversity’ is based on her life experience and allows her to reach her students at CVTC, filling a void in the discourse of design pedagogy,” said Erik Evensen, Program Director for the M.F.A. in Design. “The challenge of earning my M.F.A. was living across the state and traveling to Stout once or twice a week to attend class. I’d leave work at 1 p.m. and arrive home around 1 a.m. But every time I walked on campus, it felt right; this is where I was supposed to be.” How has your Stout education and experience changed you? “My experience at Stout, both as an undergraduate and graduate, has changed me to become a better designer, given me the ability to voice my thoughts and guided me into a job that for the first time I am proud of. The courses provided gave me confidence and the opportunity to become a graduate assistant in a virtual classroom. I am proud of my thesis, design project, research and the friendships that will last beyond graduation.” What stands out about your Stout experience? “What stood out to me was my student colleagues in the School of Art and Design. It was a great group to go through the program with; they were supportive.” What was it like to enroll in a hybrid program?

Adapted from a story originally written by Jerry Poling, December 2022

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The M.F.A. program definitely helped with my project management skills. I do think I’m a better artist and better storyteller overall.” —JACKIE CUMMINGS, M.F.A. ‘22

Featured Alumni: Jackie Cummings In relationships, a decision, an unexpected event, a behavior can change everything, leading those involved down a path they may not have expected and are unprepared to handle. Octopus Pot is Jackie Cummings’ graduate thesis project, a computer-based, interactive experience that tells a story while making an adventure of it by giving the players options. It operates similar to online dating simulators, which Cummings says are fun to play. Having experienced a relationship breakup, Cummings decided to use the common life experience as the basis for a game, but Octopus Pot also is more than a game. “It provides a cathartic and compassionate look at relationship erosion and eventual breakup to people who’ve had that experience. Everybody has a breakup story, even if it’s not their own,” Cummings said. “I want some people to feel like it was a healing experience to play the game, and I also wanted it to be fun.” Players experience the perspectives of both main characters, Maysa and Shelby, to help them see both sides of a relationship. They have “ownership of the narrative by deciding to do one thing over another” with what Cummings calls branching dialogue, or prompts that force the player to choose. Cummings, of Bemidji, Minn., based the game on more than personal experience. She did qualitative research, conducting a survey and interviewing people who have had breakups. The “affinity mapping” Adapted from a story originally written by Jerry Poling, April 2022

research provided themes to help Cummings determine how the game would play out, she said. “The research told me what the characters should be feeling, and that’s what’s important,” she said. “This game is about heartbreak.”

Jackie is now a Lecturer of Game Design at UW-Stout.

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It is wonderful to share what I know with the next generation of artists, plus I learn just as much from them as they learn from me. —BRIANNA CAPRA, M.F.A. ‘24

M.F.A. Alumni

Featured Alumni: Brianna Capra When Brianna Capra began her master’s degree, she had been out of academia for more than 20 years, having earned her B.F.A. in sculpture from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1999. Her passion for making books and love of illustrating for children led her to UW-Stout’s Master of Fine Arts in Design program, where she earned her graduate degree on May 4, 2024 along with 1,037 graduates. Capra will continue making books and has many ideas she’s been waiting to bring to life. She plans to start a center for book arts in the Chippewa Valley, modeled after the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and hopes to continue teaching drawing. “I found the polytechnic emphasis at Stout to be equal parts challenging and inspiring. I learned so many skills that I had not expected to, digging into research, learning to use digital platforms and design tools, and writing scholarly content as well as creating a cohesive portfolio of artwork. As an illustrator, learning to use digital media is extremely valuable. Though I continue to work primarily in traditional media, knowing how to use digital tools can help me stay current in my very competitive field. Stout has also given me some teaching opportunities. These experiences were incredibly valuable as I intend to pursue future teaching positions.” How well has UW-Stout prepared you to work in your field and why?

What stands out about your UW-Stout experience?

“The instructors I was fortunate to work with at Stout are excellent. Professors in the M.F.A. program, as well as those whose classes I took as electives, are helpful, knowledgeable and professional.

Adapted from a story originally written by Jerry Poling, May 2024

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The Digital Process Lab, Printmaking Lab and Student Gallery 201 are also outstanding resources for students in the School of Art and Design. They provided me with an opportunity to create and display a prolific amount of artwork. I am grateful to the faculty and staff in the School of Art and Design. They are incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. They have treated me with dignity and patience, even though I ask a million questions and still don’t really know how to get on a Teams meeting.” “I was the recipient of a Foundation Scholarship in 2022, a Certificate of Sustainable Design and a Student Research Grant in 2024. The research grant was a great benefit, as it helped pay for materials and printing costs associated with my creative thesis project, a 136-page graphic guide to plastic pollution, recycling and living plastic-free. I was also chosen as the Outstanding Graduate Student Researcher for 2024. This is quite an honor and a surprise considering how far behind I thought I was when I started the program after 20 years out of school.” “I am quite pleased with the quality of work I was able to create while in the M.F.A. program. Some of my pieces received awards in juried gallery shows. I got honorable mention for a print titled “Sweetgrass Woman” shown at Wisconsin Arts West in 2022, and best of show for a drawing titled “A Gift Freely Given” at the Otherworldly Arts Safe Word show in February of 2024. I have also self published and sold several of the comic books I made in classes at Stout.” Brianna is now a children’s book illustrator, and a Lecturer of Art & Design Foundations at UW-Stout. Adapted from a story originally written by Jerry Poling, May 2024 What are you most proud of as you finish your degree? How did your involvement on campus impact your experience?

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Featured M.F.A. Faculty

Erik A. Evensen, M.F.A. | AIGA, IDSA, CSS Professor, Design & Illustration

Erik Evensen is a Professor of Design and Illustration, and director of the B.F.A. in Illustration. His comics industry credits include the “Ghostbusters” and “Back to the Future” comic series from IDW Publishing, and the Xeric winning graphic novel Gods of Asgard . He has been recognized with the College of Arts & Human Sciences’ Outstanding Teaching Award.

Wendy Jedlička, M.I.M., Ed.D(c) | CPP, SEA Senior Lecturer, Sustainable Design

Professor Jedlicka is a leading global expert on sustainable design. Jedlička is the contributing editor of two books, including Packaging Sustainability and Sustainable Graphic Design , and the “Applied Sustainability” chapter author for Handbook of Sustainable Design. She teaches courses related to Design, Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship.

Julie E. Peterson, Ph.D. | NCIDQ, WRID, WELL-AP Professor, Interior Design

Dr. Peterson spent half of her career in industry practice before transitioning to higher education. She specializes in lighting design, business practices, ethics, materials, finishes, codes, and specifications. She has been honored as Outstanding Graduate Faculty and as a University Research Fellow. Her current research explores a sense of place, community, and emotional well-being for students and how this was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rebecca Svehla, Ph.D.(c) Assistant Professor, History of Design

Rebecca Svehla is a design historian with a specialty in architectural history and urbanism, interested in the intersections of product design, media, and architecture. Rebecca’s research considers the intersections of design professionals, domestic interiors, and craft practices with industrial, commercial, and corporate influences in design in the 19 th and 20 th centuries. She teaches History of Design Seminar.

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M.F.A. Leadership

Robert Fraher, Ph.D., M.F.A. | AIGA, ACM Professor of Design + Program Director, M.F.A. in Design

B.S. INTERACTIVE DIGITAL MEDIA DESIGN University of Minnesota

M.F.A. GRAPHIC DESIGN, INTERACTIVE EMPHASIS University of Minnesota

Ph.D. DESIGN: USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN University of Minnesota

Dr. Robert Fraher is a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Stout. His research explores how interactive design and digital media can be used to promote individual expression and community involvement. This includes investigating the therapeutic potential of digital media, novel forms of mobile communication, and design for pre-literate audiences. He has exhibited, published, and presented research in the fields of graphic design, art, instructional design, interaction design, creativity, and bereavement studies. A leader in the campus academic community, Dr. Fraher has been recognized with the Dahlgren Professorship, the College of Arts and Human Sciences’ Outstanding Teaching Award, and as a University Research Fellow. Robert’s approach to education involves combining established theoretical concepts with industry-standard processes and technology. He strives to inspire students to engage, both with the course content as well as with each other as peers in the studio environment. He seeks to develop individualized knowledge foundations to support students’ unique educational and professional goals. Finally, he works to cultivate a sense of curiosity within students to build on their knowledge foundations with life-long learning goals. Dr. Fraher’s career as an interactive designer includes industry positions with Antidote X and Medtronic, as well as a variety of experiences in music, sound design, and audio engineering. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in design with an emphasis in user experience and a Master of Fine Arts degree in graphic design with an emphasis in interactivity, both from the University of Minnesota.

Research Interests: Novel Interfaces, Multi-sensory Stimulation, Visual Language, Design Methodology, Design Pedagogy

Professional Interests: Interactive Design, User-Experience Design, Graphic Design, Motion Graphic Design, Object-Oriented Programming, Usability Testing, Identity and Branding

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Application Procedure

APPLY NOW UW-Stout welcomes M.F.A. candidates who demonstrate strong academic and design skills through their education, background, and creative experience. The application process is intentionally designed to ensure any accepted candidates are likely to succeed in the program. If you have questions about the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact mfadesign@uwstout.edu. APPLY uwstout.slideroom.com Application is a 2-step process: You will apply to both the university and the M.F.A. program—acceptance to one does not immediately grant acceptance to the other. More instructions are available at the link above. Portfolio | 10–15 examples of creative/professional work from your area(s) of expertise. Include brief written descriptions. A limit of 5 motion/video examples will be accepted as part of the total 10–15 examples. For interactive/game design examples, please focus on video walkthroughs, trailers, or demo reels (not full games). Statement of Interest | This 2–3 page statement should describe your goals for graduate study, your topics of interest for research and exploration, and should provide context for your work included in the visual portfolio. PDF preferred. CV/Resume | Your most current resume or CV, uploaded via SlideRoom. Three Letters of Recommendation | Recommenders should upload via SlideRoom. Transcripts (official) | Upload transcript(s) via SlideRoom. UPLOAD

DEADLINES April 1: Priority *

* For students who want to ensure full consideration for scheduling, assistantships, and additional financial aid, April 1 should be used. However, UW-Stout extends a rolling admission process into the summer.

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APPLY TO THE M.F.A. PROGRAM: uwstout.slideroom.com

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS In addition to completing the application procedures previously listed, International applicants must include the following materials: Official TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo scores | contact OIE for more details Declaration of Finances | Submit an official bank statement certifying that you or your sponsor has sufficient funds on deposit (in US dollars) to ensure full payment of expenses for your first year of graduate study. Refer to OIE’s Estimate of Expenses to see current amount required. Transcripts | Please submit your academic records from all secondary and higher education institutions you’ve attended. Send your official/attested academic records translated into English. For graduate-level programs, it is in your best interest to use a credential evaluator. This will give our evaluators the best possible information as we consider your transferable credits. Contact OIE for more details. GRADUATE FINANCIAL AID Graduate School is an investment in yourself and your future. The best way to make this investment is to take advantage of financial aid. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) To be considered for need-based financial aid, a completed FAFSA is required. All U.S. graduate students are strongly encouraged to complete the application. Visit studentaid.gov for more information. Graduate Assistantships UW-Stout offers a limited number of Graduate Assistantships, outlined earlier in this viewbook. Contact the program director for more information. Scholarships and Grants Funding assistance can be found through the UW-Stout Foundation, and through various external entities such as the Multicultural Student Center, IDSA, AIGA, etc. The program itself does not offer any financial assistance other than graduate assistantships. The program maintains a list of external scholarships and grants in its program handbook (available online).

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If education alone can change lives, then a polytechnic education can change the world.

And by connecting the mind, the hand and the heart, the University of Wisconsin–Stout does just that — we put applied learning to work. And when we do, REMARKABLE THINGS HAPPEN.

APPLY TO THE M.F.A. PROGRAM: uwstout.slideroom.com

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