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The VCFA MFA in Graphic Design Program Blog

James Chae: Visiting Faculty Spring 2022

April 3, 2022

James H. Chae is a designer and educator based in Seoul, Korea. His work deals with the designer’s medial position in relation to consumerism, commercial image production and global politics. He is an Assistant Professor at Hongik University and maintains an independent design practice that involves editorial and web design, in addition to self-initiated works. He co-produces the podcast Graphic Support Group, which turns an eye onto the psychological and emotional dimensions of design practice. Pudding Label is a publishing imprint he started to explore the intersection of design and music. jameschae.co

The Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design is one of the nation’s first low-residency programs in graphic design that is built around a student’s individual interests and goals.

The MFA in Graphic Design is an immersive two-year graduate program that synthesizes five intense, one-week residencies with four six-month semesters of independent study with a range of faculty mentors. We educate students towards the broader context of design in order to investigate and reveal relationships. We see Graphic Design as a social tool and design education as a process of social transformation.

Our innovative, highly effective pedagogical model has its roots in the progressive educational philosophies of John Dewey. Our student-centered approach allows students to develop individualized study plans, addressing design issues that support their particular interests, values, and goals.

MFA students in our Graphic Design program will develop skills in form, content and craft, deepen and expand critical ability, build fluency in contemporary design discourse, and expand their ability to drive content with their work.

Graduates emerge with new research methods, critical acumen, and a body of design work that is personal and relevant; one which enhances their professional and academic path. They will have learned to continuously rethink design by considering cultural context, relationships between designers and their work, and the nature of education within design.