Master of Fine Arts in Design
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MFA in DESIGN PROGRAM VIEWBOOK
Table of Contents
LETTER 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 MFA 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.
About the MFA
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Thanks!
About the University
Curriculum Focus Areas
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Design for Sustainability
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Creative Thesis
Graduate Assistantships Research Dissemination
Labs & Facilities
Erik A. Evensen, MFA Director of the MFA in Design Program
Shelley Pecha, MFA Chair, Dept. of Design
Dave Beck, MFA Associate Dean and Director of the School of Art & Design
MFA Alumni MFA Faculty
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Application Procedure
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About the MFA
The MFA 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 postgraduate study. Coursework is primarily of an applied nature, with the program culminating in a 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 MFA, 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 MFA 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.
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GRADUATE PROGRAM IN GAME DESIGN AMONG PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, 2022
TOP 25 SINCE 2016
BEST INDUSTRIAL DESIGN SCHOOLS College Values Online
# 1 IN WISCONSIN ANIMATION Animation Career Review
# 1 IN WISCONSIN GRAPHIC DESIGN Animation Career Review
# 8 IN MIDWEST GAME DESIGN Animation Career Review
Student Hue Vang works on his award-winning thesis project, “Sun of the Children.”
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the University of Wisconsin–Stout
Nestled in the town of Menomonie, bordering the Chippewa Valley region of western Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin–Stout is a campus of approximately 9,000 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. 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 1,000 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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Sample Schedule
(FULL-TIME STUDENT)
FIRST YEAR: 24 credits
FALL SEMESTER: 9 credits
SPRING SEMESTER: 9 credits
SUMMER SEMESTER: 6 credits
Design Seminar 1 Core requirement
Research Strategies in Design Core requirement
Sustainable Design II: Global impact Focus Area
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.
3 cr.
Graduate Design Studio Focus Area
Focus Elective Interdisciplinary course
3 cr.
3 cr.
We are using 9 credits as an average. full-time semester. Students can (and do) enroll in 12 credits.
SECOND YEAR: 24 credits
FALL SEMESTER: 9 credits
SPRING SEMESTER: 9 credits
SUMMER SEMESTER: 3 credits
History of Design Seminar Core requirement
Critical Issues in Design Education & Practice Core requirement
Focus Area Dual-listed course
3 cr.
3 cr.
3 cr.
The MFA is a 60-credit, terminal degree. MFAiD 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. Students also take 9 credits of electives from available graduate courses across campus, including a large number in Studio Art. CURRICULUM
Design Seminar II Core requirement
Focus Area Independent Study
3 cr.
3 cr.
Focus Elective Interdisciplinary course
Focus Area Dual-listed course
3 cr.
3 cr.
Ethics in Design Core requirement
3 cr.
WINTERM: 3 credits
Core Courses 30 credits / evening classes includes 9 credits of Thesis Focus Area (your “major”) 21 credits / very flexible Focus Electives 9 credits / interdisciplinary
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 or part-time enrollment.
Graduate Thesis in Design Core requirement
Graduate Thesis in Design Core requirement
3 cr.
Focus Elective Interdisciplinary course
Graduate Thesis in Design Core requirement
3 cr.
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FOCUS AREA Animation & Digital Media
FOCUS AREA Cinema & Video
# 1 IN WISCONSIN ANIMATION Animation Career Review
The Animation area benefits from technology such as computer labs and the Vicon Motion Capture lab, as well as interdisciplinary faculty with backgrounds in a variety of forms of animation. Our faculty have expertise with 3D and 2D animation, 3D visualization, motion capture, stop-motion, and puppetry.
UW–Stout’s Motion Media 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 Concept Art Digital Cinema Studio (repeatable)
FOCUS AREA & RELATED COURSES Digital Cinema Studio (repeatable) Intro to Photographic Lighting 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 RELATED CERTIFICATES Design for Sustainability Instructional Design Communicating with Emerging Media Improving the User Experience
3D Modeling & Animation I 3D Modeling – Hard Surface 3D Modeling – Organics Animation Capstone 1 Animation Capstone 2
AREA & RELATED FACULTY Michael Heagle, MFA Assistant Professor Kim Loken, MArch Associate Professor Jesse Woodward, MFA Senior Lecturer Ebonee Rainwater, MFA Lecturer
AREA & RELATED FACULTY Michael Heagle, MFA Assistant Professor Keif Oss, MS, MFA(c) Assistant Professor Kim Loken, MArch Associate Professor Jonathan Wheeler, MFA Lecturer
History of Film Color Seminar Graduate Design Studio (repeatable) Transmedia Studio
Erik Evensen, MFA Associate Professor Keif Oss, MS, MFA(c) Assistant Professor Jonathan Wheeler, MFA Lecturer Co O’Neill, MFA Lecturer
Joan Navarre, PhD Professor, English/Film Studies Jesse Woodward, MFA
Senior Lecturer Co O’Neill, MFA Lecturer
Virtual & Augmented Reality Visual Effects & Compositing Technology Futures
RELATED CERTIFICATES Instructional Design Communicating with Emerging Media Improving the User Experience
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FOCUS AREA Game Design
FOCUS AREA Graphic Design
# 1 IN WISCONSIN GRAPHIC DESIGN Animation Career Review
# 6 IN THE NATION PUBLIC GRADUATE PROGRAMS The Princeton Review
With its Vicon Motion Capture lab, robust computer labs, and aggressive creative output, UW–Stout’s Game Design area has been nationally ranked by the Princeton Review and Animation Career Review since its inception. The MFA in Design is currently #6 among public institutions.
Graphic Design & Interactive Media is the largest and most robust disciplinary area in the School of Art & Design. Students in the MFA 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 Concept Art 3D Modeling & Animation I 3D Modeling – Hard Surface 3D Modeling – Organics 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 RELATED CERTIFICATES Instructional Design Communicating with Emerging Media Improving the User Experience
FOCUS AREA & RELATED COURSES Digital Illustration Signage and Exhibition Design Publication Design Introduction to Web Design User Experience Design Interactive Media Design Advanced Interactive Design Transmedia Studio Color Seminar Graduate Design Studio (repeatable) Art Photography Studio Technology Futures RELATED CERTIFICATES Design for Sustainability Instructional Design Communicating with Emerging Media Improving the User Experience
AREA & RELATED FACULTY Dave Beck, MFA Professor; Director of the School of Art & Design
AREA & RELATED FACULTY Alex DeArmond, MFA | AIGA Professor Robert Fraher, MFA | AIGA Professor Nagesh Shinde, MFA | AIGA Professor Marit McCluske, MFA | AIGA, IxDA Lecturer
Erik Evensen, MFA Associate Professor Seth Berrier, PhD Professor, Computer Science Jesse Woodward, MFA
Erik Evensen, MFA | AIGA Associate Professor Wendy Jedlicka, MIM, EdD(c) Senior Lecturer Morgan Barrie, MFA Assistant Professor, Photography
Kim Loken, MArch Associate Professor Andrew Williams, PhD Associate Professor, Design History: History of Interactive Media Jackie Cummings, MFA Lecturer
Senior Lecturer Co O’Neill, MFA Lecturer Karl Koehle, MFA(c) Lecturer
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FOCUS AREA Industrial Design
FOCUS AREA Interior Design
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.
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 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
FOCUS AREA & RELATED COURSES Interior Design Studio 2 Interior Design Studio 3 Interior Design Senior Studio Transmedia 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 Design Studio Sustainable Design II: Global Impact Sustainable Construction Architectural Preservation
AREA & RELATED FACULTY Jennifer Astwood, MFA | IDSA Professor Dave Richter-O’Connell, MFA | IDSA Associate Professor Erik Evensen, MFA | IDSA, AIGA Associate Professor Andy Janetski, MFA(c) | SEA, IDSA Lecturer
AREA & RELATED FACULTY Shelley Pecha, MFA | NCIDQ, WELL-AP Professor; Department Chair Julie Peterson, PhD | NCIDQ, WELL-AP Professor Nicolette Brehm, MFA | NCIDQ, WELL-AP Assistant Professor Wendy Jedlicka, MIM | SEA, CPP Senior Lecturer
Wendy Jedlicka, MIM | SEA, CPP Senior Lecturer Kim Loken, MArch | LEED-AP
Kim Loken, MArch | LEED-AP Associate Professor Dave Richter-O’Connell, MFA | IDEC
Associate Professor James E. Bryan, PhD Professor, Design History
Associate Professor James E. Bryan, PhD Professor, Design History
RELATED CERTIFICATES Design for Sustainability Instructional Design
RELATED CERTIFICATES Design for Sustainability Instructional Design
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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 FACULTY Wendy Jedlicka, MIM, Ed.D(c) | SEA, CPP Sr. Lecturer, Sustainable Design Kim Loken, MArch | LEED-AP Associate Professor, Game Design Andy Janetski, MFA(c) | SEA, IDSA Lecturer, Industrial Design
Shelley Pecha, MFA | NCIDQ, WELL-AP Professor, Interior Design Julie Peterson, PhD | NCIDQ, WELL-AP Professor, Interior Design Nicolette Brehm, MFA | NCIDQ, WELL-AP Assistant Professor, Interior Design
CERTIFICATE in DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABILITY The Department of Design is proud to offer its first-ever graduate certificate program in Design for Sustainability. The program can be completed entirely using courses from the MFA in Design program. It is also a stand-alone program for students only interested in a 12-credit experience.
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.
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
3 cr.
3 cr.
FOR MORE INFO, CONTACT: Wendy Jedlicka, MIM, Ed.D(c) Sr. Lecturer, Sustainable Design
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The Creative Thesis
MFA core faculty Robert Fraher and Erik Evensen review Mary Rohl’s 2016 MFA thesis exhibition, “The Heart and Design Project.”
Examples from thesis projects, clockwise from top left: Zach Koss, Morgan Brantner, Nicolette Brehm, Zi-xu Tian, Drew Hagen, Jackie Cummings
The MFA 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 disseminated in a public venue.
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Graduate Assistantships
The MFA in Design offers Graduate Assistant positions for students enrolled full-time in the program. 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 assis tantships are available across campus, outside the School of Art & Design.
Student Danielle Pedersen demonstrates UW-Stout’s Vicon Motion Capture equipment in the Emerging Technologies Laboratory, one of the possible Graduate Assistantship areas.
CLASSROOM SUPPORT Assisting in th classroom; depends on student background/expertise
LAB ASSISTANT Photo/Video Studios Motion Capture Lab Photogrammetry Lab
OTHER SOAD Media Assistant Research Assistant (varies)
Graduate Assistantships are professional opportunities that serve in key areas on campus. Graduate Assistantships can help prepare students to find related positions after graduating. Examples include:
Jonny Wheeler Former Graduate Assistant, Classroom Support Lecturer of Video Production, UW–Stout
Morgan Brantner Former Graduate Assistant, Motion Capture Lab MoCap Generalist, Rouge MoCap, Los Angeles, CA
Terri Stan Former Graduate Assistant, Classroom Support Faculty, Graphic Design, Chippewa Valley Technical College
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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 MFA students has recently been presented in a variety of venues:
Matt Wigdahl, MFA ‘21 presented a research poster, “Lake Menomin Project: Exploring an Outdoor Museum Piece,” based on a class project, at DECIPHER 2018: the AIGA Design Research Conference at the University of Michigan.
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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 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.
THESE FACILITIES INCLUDE
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
The green screen studio in Sorensen Hall is heavily used by students taking Cinema, Photography, and Video Production classes.
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MFA Alumni
Since our first graduate in 2015, our MFA alumni have gone on to strong careers in industry as specialists, creative directors, and leaders, and in academia as instructors and tenure-track faculty. *
Hue Vang, MFA ‘18 receives his hood at UW–Stout’s commencement ceremony. Vang is now employed at DreamWorks Animation.
Morgan Brantner, MFA ‘16 MOTION CAPTURE GENERALIST, ROUGE MOCAP
Michelle Mailey Noben, MFA ‘16 SENIOR MANAGER, USER EXPERIENCE RESEARCH & MEASUREMENT, GRAINGER
Dharshana Gopalakrishnan, MFA ‘16 INTERIOR DESIGNER, WILKUS ARCHITECTS
Andrew Murphy, MFA ‘16 SENIOR MANAGER, CREATIVE STRAGEGY & DESIGN, APPLE
Zach Koss, MFA ‘16 MANAGING ART DIRECTOR, SHUTTERFLY
Hue Vang, MFA ‘18 MATTE PAINTER, DREAMWORKS
Jessica Kromrie, MFA ‘22 MARKETING MANAGER, CANOMIKS
Liang Wu, MFA ‘20 FULL-STACK DEVELOPER, INET MARKETING
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*positions may not still be current
MFA Alumni
MFA Alumni
Andrew Murphy, MFA ‘16 SR. MANAGER, CREATIVE STRAGEGY & DESIGN, APPLE 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.”
My MFA degree and 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, MFA ‘16 SR. MGR. UX RESEARCH & MEASUREMENT, GRAINGER
RELATED RESEARCH Murphy, Andrew (2015). User-centered video tutorial design, Proceedings of Motion Design Education (MODE) Summit in Dublin, Ireland 2015.
MFA THESIS No Parent Left Behind: A UX Research & Design Project
PREVIOUS EDUCATION BFA Video/Film, UW-Stevens Point AA Music Production McNally Smith College of Music
PREVIOUS EDUCATION BFA Graphic Design Viterbo University AAS Graphic Design Western Technical College
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP Usability Research Center
MFA THESIS Strategic Brand Dismemberment for Successful Reincarnation: Disseminating Cohesive Brand Ideas Through Systematic Dispersal Across Media Channels with Transmedia Storytelling
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MFA Alumni
MFA Alumni
I loved having classmates from diverse design backgrounds. These different perspectives on design issues broadened my knowledge on the topics and allowed me to look at them from a different lens.”
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.”
Nicolette Brehm, MFA ‘20 ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, INTERIOR DESIGN, UW-STOUT
Hue Vang, MFA ‘18 MATTE PAINTER, DREAMWORKS ANIMATION
RELATED RESEARCH Nicolette’s research into adaptive reuse and senior living prompted a department-wide commitment to the WELL living principles. As a result, all Interior Design faculty and many students are now WELL-certified. MFA THESIS From vacant shopping malls to thriving senior living facilities
RELATED RESEARCH
PREVIOUS EDUCATION BFA Interior Design UW-Stout Graduate Studies Savannah College of Art & Design
PREVIOUS EDUCATION BS Biology UW-Oshkosh
Second Place in Visual Quality, Intel University Games Showcase, GDC
Best in Show, M+DEV
MFA THESIS Sun of the Children (digital game)
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MFA Alumni
MFA Alumni
We’re thinking about the ‘why’ of design and questioning the role design plays in society. It’s a much broader perspective.”
I don’t feel pigeon-holed, locked into one track. If I have a curiosity about a subject, which I’m prone to, I can explore that with the support of great educators.”
Zach Koss, MFA ‘16 MANAGING ART DIRECTOR, SHUTTERFLY
Jonathan Wheeler, MFA ‘21 LECTURER, VIDEO PRODUCTION, UW-STOUT
MFA THESIS “Current Climate: Adaptive approaches to communicating Minnesota’s climate challenges through graphic design”
RELATED RESEARCH
PREVIOUS EDUCATION BFA Studio Art UW-Eau Claire
PREVIOUS EDUCATION BFA Studio Art Milwaukee Institute
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2021
MIDWEST SCIFI SHORT FILM FESTIVAL OFFICIAL SELECTION 2020
CHIPPEWA VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL OFFICIAL SELECTION 2020
WINNER BEST MIDWEST ROOTS
FINALIST BEST COLLEGE SHORT FILM
of Art & Design BS Art Education UW-Stout
RED CEDAR FILM FESTIVAL
BROOKLYN SCIFI FILM FESTIVAL
MFA THESIS Designing the Future: Diegetic Sculpture & Literary Adaptation in Speculative Fiction Cinema
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MFA Core Faculty
MFA Leadership
Erik A. Evensen, MFA | AIGA, IDSA
Robert Fraher, MFA | AIGA Professor, Graphic Design
MFA in Design: Visual Communication Design & Design Research The Ohio State University
Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Studio Art School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University
BA in Studio Art: Drawing & Painting University of New Hampshire
Professor Fraher is an award-winning designer and interactive developer. Robert’s research explores interface design as a context for emotional and cognitive engagement, individual expression, and community involvement. honors : University Research Fellow, Dahlgren Professor MFA teaching: Design Education & Practice, Design Seminar II
Erik Evensen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Design and director of the MFA program. His creative work, research, and teaching focus on the synthesis of illustration and visual communication design—his course load has included studio courses in design drawing, illustration, concept art, graphic design, and typography. He began his career as a graphic designer and illustrator in the Boston area, with works honored by Graphic Design USA. He has a number of design credits in the entertainment industry, including the New Hampshire Film Festival, Manhattan Short Film Festival, the award-winning documentary Dirty Country, the short films Glue Man, Star and the Snowman, and Discrepancy, and comedy tours for the Found Footage Festival and Chris Hardwick. As an illustrator, 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, the definitive comics adaptation of the Norse myths, which has been the subject of many academic papers and adopted as a textbook at several universities. He is also the game artist and co-producer for the tabletop games Marrying Mr. Darcy and Distilled . He has presented at and reviewed for academic conferences sponsored by the Design and Emotion Society, IASDR, MODE Summit, AIGA, the Congress of Medieval Studies, and the Polytechnic Summit. A student of Design Research pioneer Liz Sanders, Erik’s academic research on educational board game design is a featured case study in her textbook, Convivial Toolbox: Generative Research for the Front End of Design. As an instructor, he has been recognized with UW-Stout’s Outstanding Teaching Award, as a finalist for Outstanding Graduate Faculty, and by the QUBE as a Faculty Ally. As Program Director for the MFA, Erik serves as the main point of contact and primary academic advisor for all students in the program, and provides leadership on issues related to curriculum, assessment, outreach, and development. He regularly teaches courses in the program such as Design Seminar I, Design Seminar II, Research Strategies in Design, and Design Education & Practice.
Wendy Jedlicka, MIM, Ed.D(c) | CPP, ISSP-SA Senior Lecturer, Sustainable Design
Professor Jedlicka is a leading global expert on sustainable design. books : Packaging Sustainability (Wiley), Sustainable Graphic Design (Wiley), Handbook of Sustainable Design (Routledge). MFA teaching: Sustainable Design Practice, Design Seminar II, Sustainable Design II: Global Impact
Julie E. Peterson, PhD | 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. honors : Outstanding Graduate Faculty, University Research Fellow MFA teaching: Ethics in Design, Research Strategies, Design Seminar II
Andrew Williams, PhD Professor, History of Design
Dr. Williams’ research includes projects related to Games and History as both a historian and creative producer, including interactive exhibits at the Minnesota History Center, the Akron Art Museum, and the digital game Witness to the Revolution. books : History of Digital Games: Developments in Art, Design and Interaction MFA teaching: History of Design Seminar, Game Design & Design History
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Application Procedure
APPLY NOW UW-Stout welcomes MFA 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 mfa@uwstout.edu. APPLY uwstout.slideroom.com Application is a 2-step process: You will apply to both the university and the MFA program—acceptance to one does not immediately grant acceptance to the other. More instructions are available at the link above. UPLOAD 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 use your best judgement or contact the program director for assistance. 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 can upload via SlideRoom. Transcripts (official) | Upload transcript(s) via SlideRoom.
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).
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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UW-STOUT IS PROUDLY ACCREDITED BY
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF ART AND DESIGN (NASAD) 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
COUNCIL FOR INTERIOR DESIGN ACCREDITATION (CIDA) 205 Grandville Avene, Suite 350 Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4014 accredit.id.org
THE HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION 30 North La Salle Street, Suite 2400 Chicago, IL 60652-2504 www.hlcommission.org
Reston, VA 20190-5248 nasad.arts-accredit.org
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