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MFA MFA in Design
Why study MFA in Design?
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Creative, Motivated Students
Our students are creative, motivated, hard-working, self-directed individuals, who are willing to engage challenging
topics. The MFA program has high expectations, pushing each student to confront the complex practice of
meaningful design, and to develop the discipline and rigor needed to develop an authentic voice. -
Strategic Approaches to Applied Design Research
We expose students to an array of creative tools and processes, stressing the interplay of research, scholarly writing and studio-based making. Immersed in an interdisciplinary environment, we challenge students to conceive innovative solutions to real design challenges. We provide valuable opportunities embedded directly within our curriculum, including international field study trips, workshops, teaching opportunities and internships.
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Learning through Hybridized Making
We provide a dedicated space for each student in studios that are equipped for model making, prototyping, casting, painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, sewing and physical computing. Our students are provided with training in, and access to, a fully-equipped Fabrication Lab with 3D printers, laser cutters and vinyl cutters, a vacuum-forming machine, computer numerical control (CNC) routers, and a woodshop stocked with a full complement of power and hand tools. We provide access to and research support in our Materials Library, which is stocked with traditional and cutting-edge materials—the only facility of its kind in the Gulf region.
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Designers Forge Dynamic Career Paths
- We prepare students for a better career in the design professions, research, and academia.
- Our program produces graduates who are adept at navigating and combining various forms of practice.
Curriculum
Semester course descriptions can be found at this link:
http://bulletin.vcu.edu/azcourses/desi/
Faculty
Campus
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Our digital fabrication laboratory offers 3-D rapid prototyper and scanner, vacuum former, fabric printer and laser cutter.
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Create your own work space in our well equipped studios.
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Physical computing facilities.
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Within our wood workshop you will find a variety of saws, drill presses, sanders, planers and hand tools.
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Use our photography, multimedia and video studios equipped with a green screen room.
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Our Library provides a range of books, magazines and DVDs on all aspects of design.
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The materials library offers a range of sample materials from fabrics, glass, plastics, ceramics and recycled materials.
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Fieldtrips & Workshops
Opportunities
Visiting Artists
Each year VCUarts Qatar welcomes visiting artists and designers to campus to share their expertise and experiences. Drawn from across the globe, these artists, designers, educators are highly accomplished and recognized within their respective design fields. They share their knowledge through lectures, conferences or specific workshops, broadening our students’ creative experiences and complementing our multi-cultural approach to design.
Many visiting artists have inspired our MFA in Design students including:
Fiona Raby, Jan Wilker, Marije Vogleszang, Armor and Nertos Gutierrez (Atelier La Juntana), Giulio Iacchetti, Felipe Fonseca, Ali Ganjavian (Studio Banana), Tonin Kauppila and Alice Twemlow.
Graduate Research Grant
The Graduate Research Grant program provides funding with the purpose of encouraging curiosity, creativity, risk-taking and scholarly investigation into a project or subject of interest relevant to the student’s academic or creative interests. Each year, students from graduate programs can apply for grants to make their projects reality. Through a competitive review, VCUarts Qatar graduate students will be awarded grants for projects that support and develop their creative practice, research, and scholarship.
Our MFA in Design students have been offered internships at several leading organizations within Qatar including:
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Lusail Consultants LLC, The Center of Design Innovation (CoDI).