The Master of Art and Design extends the department’s long–standing commitment to interdisciplinary and collaborative education to the graduate level.The unique feature of this graduate program is the blending of art, design, and both hand and digital technologies. The degree offers two concentrations, each with opportunities for collaboration and interaction with other programs on campus.

Fibers and Surface Design Concentration:

This concentration educates professional artist/designers with both artistic and technical proficiency, combining digital technologies with traditional hand processes in the conception and hand production textiles. Focus is on professional level accomplishment for practicing artists, production craftspeople, or textile designers in a wide range of areas of exploration, both functional and non-functional: weaving (hand and digital), surface design, fabric design, printing (hand and digital), embellishment (hand and digital), construction, sculpture, and installation. The individual student focus may range from the design of fabrics for hand production to the production of one–of–a–kind art objects. The context for fibers and surface design work is broad and could include clothing, costume, home or personal accessories, art objects, installations, or textiles for interiors/exteriors.

Simultaneous development and research in technical, theoretical, historical, and artistic aspects of the chosen textile medium will be required. The course work will blend and balance theory, hand production concepts, and experimental fine art approaches.

Animation, New Media and Digital Imaging Concentration

This concentration educates artists/designers skilled in drawing, time-based imaging, interactive media and digital imaging to effectively use the computer to synthesize and augment these skill-sets as the demand for animators increases in the future. The concentration provides an intensive level of experience, instruction, and immersion in digital 3-D animation, video and graphics. Emphasis will be placed on the combination of digital processes with traditional hand processes in the conception and production of digital images, interactive experiences and animated products. A wide range of development and presentation formats will be open for exploration. Students in this program will be exposed to state of the art software, equipment and resources within the Advanced Media Lab.

The first year will consist of six core courses providing a common foundation for the program: two design studios; a graduate seminar; an animation or fibers seminar; and two electives. Design studios will provide immersion into self–directed hands–on work, while the seminars provide opportunities to read, write about, and discuss art and design theory and practice and current issues common to all art and design areas as well as those specific to the chosen concentration. Candidacy review occurs halfway through the program.

The second year allows the student to take appropriately supporting electives and to specialize on a creative project.It will consist of a studio; a final project preparatory seminar; three electives; and a final project studio. The final project requires students to explore, research, and develop an individual body of work with guidance from the graduate faculty, culminating in an original body of creative work in a public exhibition or presentation, an oral examination, and a written documentation supporting the research theme and process.

Both concentrations will require 48–72 credit hours, depending on the background of the applicant.Full or part–time students will be accepted.Additional hours above the minimum requirements and teaching experience will address preparedness for college level teaching.

The Department of Art and Design, like each program of the College of Design, has a unique procedure for Admissions.