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The VCFA MFA in Graphic Design Program Blog

“Nothing Personal” exhibition explores James Baldwin and Richard Avedon’s 1964 book with interactive design and a graphic chronology.

December 13, 2024

2023 GD Alum Rick Heffner’s latest Exhibition at The George Mason University School of Art’s “Nothing Personal” exhibition explores Baldwin and Avedon’s 1964 book with interactive design and a graphic chronology. Read more here.

“Favorite details: This project was truly a collaboration—from the curators, design team, researchers and university contributors. I also love the combination of the relatively old printing techniques of rotogravure with the latest digital wall printing.”

Responses by Rick Heffner who is an assistant professor, graphic design; George Mason University School of Art.

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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.