January 22, 2016

ArtCenter College of Design Launches New Graduate Degree to Shape Leaders of Graphic Design

(Pasadena, Calif.) January 22, 2016 – ArtCenter College of Design today announced the new Graphic Design Master of Fine Art (MFA) degree program geared for early- to mid-career level professionals who aspire to lead the next global generation of graphic design, shape brands, culture and society at large, and extend the boundaries of communication design in all directions.

“We’re at a pivotal point in our field and there’s tremendous need for courageous creative leaders, pushing boundaries and designing the future,” said Nikolaus Hafermaas, chair of ArtCenter’s Graphic Design Department and an internationally renowned artist and designer of advanced works converging digital media and spatial experiences. “As our tools to communicate visually evolve, imaginative risk-takers are vital to society’s ability to navigate complex ideas and information.”

Expanding upon the College’s globally respected undergraduate Graphic Design curriculum, the two-year MFA program (MGx) launching this fall (2016) will immerse students in strategic thought, making and design leadership. Aligned with a socially responsible transmedia platform, courses explore typography, print, interaction, motion and packaging. The graduate curriculum also explores mediatecture, an emerging practice of activating architectural spaces through dynamic media. The program emphasizes entrepreneurship, leadership and management with a focus on practical, yet exquisite, professional design solutions.

"Not only do we want to provide our students with the creative skills they need to tackle complex design challenges, but also the leadership skills needed to shape professional creative environments,” said director of the MFA program Sean Adams, who is recognized as one of the most influential graphic designers in the United States and a recipient of the AIGA Medal, the profession’s highest honor. “Ultimately, our graduates will emerge as the next leaders of the graphic design profession.”

The faculty is comprised of internationally recognized experts who work across multiple media such as typography, interactive media, branding, leadership, motion, print and environmental graphic design. Faculty members are Brad Bartlett, Brian Boyl, Chris Hacker, Gerardo Herrera, Simon Johnston, Gloria Kondrup, Ming Tai and Petrula Vrontikis.

World renowned creative industry leadershave joined forces with MGx to shape the endeavor, contribute ongoing expertise, teach and mentor students. “These are some of the most respected leaders of our creative economy,” said Hafermaas. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with these impressive minds and strengthen our commitment to maintain close ties with our constantly evolving profession.”

Advisory board and visiting faculty members are Kim Baer, John Bielenberg, Michael Beirut, Doug Boyd, Ken Carbone, Brian Collins, Richard Danne, Elizabeth Dori Tunstall, Agustín Garza, Samuel Gates, Nancy Green, Richard Grefé, Bruce Heavin, Jessica Helfand, Kit Hinrichs, Paul Hoppe, Seth Johnson, Su Matthews Hale, Debbie Millman, Clement Mok, Chee Pearlman, Paula Scher, Erik Spiekermann and Michael Vanderbyl.

ArtCenter offers a broad range of creative resources such as the recently established Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography aimed to advance the research, teaching and understanding of typography in our contemporary visual culture.

The new masters degree in Graphic Design (MGx) and ArtCenter’s Graduate Media Design Practices (MDP) department offer two distinctly different philosophies. A recipient of the prestigious Core77 Design Award in recognition of its innovative curriculum, MDP offers an interdisciplinary design MFA grounded in science, technology and communication that prepares graduates to work in emerging roles and contexts fordesign, be it explorative or social impact based, in a world of cultural and technological change.

About ArtCenter College of Design Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design (artcenter.edu) is a global leader in art and design education. ArtCenter offers 11 undergraduate and seven graduate degrees in a wide variety of visual and applied arts as well as industrial design disciplines. In addition to its top-ranked academic programs, the College also serves members of the Southern California region through a highly regarded series of year-round educational programs for ages nine through adulthood. Renowned for both its ties to industry and social impact initiatives, ArtCenter is the first design school to receive the United Nations’ Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status. Throughout the College's long and storied history, ArtCenter alumni have had a profound impact on popular culture, the way we live and important issues in our society.

Contact:

Teri Bond
Media Relations Director
ArtCenter College of Design
teri.bond@artcenter.edu
626 396-2385 office
310 738-2077 mobile