About Visual Communication Design

Visual Communication Design MFA Program

The University of Washington Visual Communication Design graduate program is a two-year course of study for a limited number of mature, advanced design students that leads to an MFA degree. The program encourages students to further develop their conceptual skills and expand their knowledge of theory and practice; helps students develop the skills and use of tools employed in contemporary problem-solving; allows for experimentation with media; and promotes personal investigation on an advanced level. The program trains the designer as a futurist and innovator.

The core curriculum comprises studio courses, seminars and independent studies and proceeds thematically according to a series of key issues that define each quarter.

Download our Design MFA Handout pdf.

Funding Opportunities

Most VCD graduate students have the opportunity to be a teaching assistant for at least 2 of the 6 quarters that they are in residence. This provides valuable teaching experience, as well as a tuition waiver and stipend. The department also offers merit-based scholarships, funds for international travel (we operate a 4-6 week design course in Rome) and funds for individual project support.

More Information

For additional questions about the program please contact the VCD faculty member and Graduate Coordinator, Annabelle Gould, at agould@u.washington.edu.

For questions about the application process, please contact the School of Art Graduate Advisor, Autumn Yoke, at gradart@u.washington.edu.