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Eligibility

Applicants must have a diploma from a four-year professional art school or a BFA, BA or BS degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Design applicants do not necessarily need to have a bachelor degree in graphic design/communications art to be eligible.

Applicant's portfolio must demonstrate a proficiency in typography. This usually translates into either three years of undergraduate design education or one to two years of professional design experience. Applicants who do not meet these criteria are advised to take appropriate continuing education classes before applying.

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FAQ

What should I put in my portfolio?

Remember you are applying to a design program. Your portfolio should reflect your ability and talent for design. Typography is crucial. If you are coming from Fine Art, Photography or other artist backgrounds you can include these works but they should not be your only work. Design is key.

Can my portfolio be original pieces?

Portfolios should be submitted on a CD, which contains an Apple OS X-readable folder titled LastnameFirstname. This folder will contain any combination of the following:

• A print work folder named LastnameFirstnamePrint, containing no more than 20 still images. Images must be in JPEG format, and at least 600 x 500 pixels no more than 1200 x 1200 pixels. Files must be named and numbered LastnameFirstname##.jpg. More than 20 images cannot be looked at.
• A text file in .doc format, which specifies the URLs of any applicant-designed websites and interactive projects.
• Presentation formats (PDF, PowerPoint, Keynote) cannot be accepted.
• Slides, printed portfolios and all other file formats (swf, exe, etc) cannot be accepted.
• Optional - A video folder named LastnameFirstnameVideos, containing no more than 5 video files. Video files must be in Quicktime format, at 15 FPS and sized 320 x 240 pixels. Videos must be no larger than 5 MB each with a maximum length of two minutes each.

Some applicants may prefer to submit slides of print work. In this case, please submit 15 to 20 slides of professional publication quality in lieu of digital media. Each slide should be labeled LastnameFirstname##, and slides should be accompanied with an annotated slide list.

How important is type?

Very! This is the language you speak, and while this program emphasizes forms other than print and materials other than paper, you must start from a common denominator with all other students. Being literate with typefaces (styles and names), typography (composition), and type and image design is key.

What programs should I know?

As many as possible. This MFA involves numerous media, and the more proficient you are the better. We require InDesign and Photoshop as basic. We encourage you to learn After Effects, Final Cut Pro, and Illustrator. Any other image-making programs also will help in your class work.

How well versed should I be with design and design culture?

As much as possible. We urge students to be members of the AIGA and take part in design activities. Attending lectures, seeing exhibitions, and reading books and magazines on all aspects of the design world will add to your literacy and fluency.

How many applications does the program receive?

We receive more than 200 applications and accept only 20 students per year.

Can I talk to faculty?

Our faculty members are professionals and have their own businesses. They do not have offices on campus. Due to their busy schedules faculty members cannot meet with applicants.

Can I sit in a class?

Because of the nature of our program, we do not allow visitors to sit in on a class. It's been found disruptive to faculty or students.

Can I schedule a tour?

The MFA Design department has an Information Session in the fall. We also offer weekly tours on Friday mornings. Please contact eroschofield@sva.edu for more information and to schedule an appointment.

Can I bring my PC instead of a Mac?

We are a Macintosh-based studio and will not support a PC platform. The program requires all enrolled students to provide their own computer during their studies.