Hallie Mitchell '17, Portfolio
Mae Johnson '17, Portfolio
Shelley Blair '15
Donovan Mooney '18
Libby Connolly '16
Isa Tetreault '17
Mae Johnson '17, Portfolio
Shelley Blair '15
Donovan Mooney '18
Libby Connolly '16
Isa Tetreault '17
For You
Master
The Art of Visual Communication.
Present
Ideas to the World.
Graphic Design
Before you begin to sketch or sit down at a computer, there are two essentials of graphic design you need to know: how to turn an idea into a compelling visual message, and what you can bring to it as a maker.
As a Graphic Design major at MECA&D, you'll learn how to give concepts their most compelling voice, how to analyze and understand your audience, and how to effectively use the visual languages of type, image and context to enhance meaning.
Our collaborative faculty of practicing professionals believe that experiences combining graphic design with other creative disciplines make for a stronger, more versatile graphic designer. Our curriculum emphasizes communication design as an interdisciplinary field and provides you with methods that are adaptable across many forms of analog and digital media.
You'll explore letterforms and typography, develop effective design strategies, and keep your skills broad—delving into interactivity, motion, narrative, branding, publication and information design.
During your studies here, your techniques and design processes will evolve into an individual approach that will form the foundation of your professional practice.
Artist Attribution in Above Video
Spotlight
- Faculty
- Alumni
- Student
Libby Connolly '16
The language and purpose of design made sense to me.”Describe a body of work that you are currently working on. I just finished up a packaging/identity project. We had the decision to choose between Geary's Summer Ale, loose leaf tea, […]Read More
Design Majors and Faculty
The uncommon process employed to develop MECA’s new mark exemplifies creative problem-solving at its finest.”MECA&D is excited to announce the launch of a new visual identity designed to convey the College’s rich history and dynamic future. Our new mark reflects the institution’s strongest assets: an extraordinary community […]Read More
Sean Wilkinson ’01
Get out, meet people, talk about what you do. Then go do it again and again. ”Sean Wilkinson ’01 (Graphic Design) is the co-founder of the Portland design studio Might & Main, which was founded on Sean's principles of collaboration, hard work, and rigorous attention to […]Read More
Justin Carey '16
Student Perspective: Justin Carey (Graphic Design '16) from Maine College of Art & Design. View more . . .”Student Perspective: Justin Carey (Graphic Design '16) from Maine College of Art & Design. View more of Justin's work in his portfolio here.Read More
Aaron Staples '08
Art is a lens to look at issues that are too complex to examine in words.”Aaron Staples ’08, who grew up in Maine and earned his BFA from MECA&D in Graphic Design, worked with Greenpeace to create art for their “Not Just Tuna” campaign that […]Read More
LK Weiss ’11
LK describes the coast of Maine as her “passion, inspiration and obsession.””It is no surprise that LK Weiss titled her business identity “The Portland Designer.” The co‐founder of Bowline Company, which manufactures handmade unisex bow ties, she is also an illustrator, […]Read More
Zenab Bastawala
Diversity in Design history became a lecture series when I approached this concept to more than 20 lecturers . . .”Award-winning typographer, type designer/speaker, educator, and sign collector, Zenab Bastawala joined MECA&D in Fall 2021 as an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design. In the Spring of 2022, Bastawala—who takes a […]Read More
Peter Alfano
In Peter, we have found a colleague who brings not only the breadth and depth of his own education and . . .”Peter Alfano joined the MECA&D faculty in Spring 2022 as an Assistant Professor in Graphic Design. Alfano comes to the College from Ringling College of Art & Design, where he […]Read More
Zenab Bastawala
Zenab, with her deep international experience and interest in diverse typographic systems, brings a valuable . . .”Introducing Zenab Bastawala, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Zenab is an award-winning typographer, type designer/speaker, educator, and sign collector. She takes a multi-script and multi-lingual approach while teaching typography and […]Read More
Faculty Margo Halverson
PechaKucha Portland: 'Piling Up the Rules: An Inquiry' by Margo Halverson. Watch the video within this link.”PechaKucha 20x20 is a simple presentation format where you show 20 images, each for 20 seconds. The images advance automatically and you talk along to the images. Margo Halverson has […]Read More
Margo Halverson
Her work was included in the group exhibitions NO QUO @ EXCHANGE at Crane Arts Gallery in Philadelphia, PA, . . .”Margo Halverson, Professor of Graphic Design, gave a lecture titled “MECA&D’s Graphic Design Legacy in Portland” at the University of New England Art Gallery, was a guest critic for graphic […]Read More
Outcomes
Formal
Students leave the institution with a working understanding of tools and technology (including, but not limited to, drawing, printing, photography, and time-based and interactive media), and their roles in the creation, reproduction, and distribution of design. They gain a working understanding of design for production and the ability to create the design of letterforms to photographic image making, print design, web design, and motion graphics.
Conceptual
Students develop an awareness of the history and theory of graphic design and contemporary design practices. They are able to develop design interventions, possess the skills to identify a design need or incentive, and are adept at research and information gathering, analysis, concept development, design strategy development, exploration of alternative solutions, design prototyping, and implementation. They demonstrate an awareness of contemporary issues, cultural context, authorship and audience perception, have a command of relevant critical language, and are able to think conceptually.
Technical
Students gain a thorough understanding of what graphic design can be (a strategy, object or structure) and an awareness of the transferability and versatility of their education into the related fields of design, motion design, web design, art direction, pre-press, publishing and all areas of the fine and graphic arts, and into the field of teaching. Students leave the institution with the ability to use design strategies to explore ideas outside the discipline.
Professional
An open-mind and self-affirming attitude are hallmarks of the Graphic Design graduate. They have learned how to create and develop visual form in response to design incentives, including an understanding of principles of visual organization/composition, information hierarchy, representational strategies, and typography and style. They demonstrate a working understanding of design for production and the ability to design both in and outside the computer. Students gain a working understanding of collaborative practices in contemporary design, and experience a professional work environment, through an internship or other workplace experience, with a graphic design studio or a designer. They understand the business of being an artist/designer, and are able to write a resume and cover letter, conduct portfolio interviews, get an internship, and freelance. They have developed a body of work and presented it in an exhibition, along with a written, designed process book.
FAQs
How do you prepare your students for the real world?
Reality-based projects along with academic investigations, collaborations with local businesses, internships, studio visits in NYC, Boston, Montreal, and Portland, working collaboratively, continuous assessment of results, and continuous analysis of the audience for any given project.
What are the prerequisites to major in Graphic Design?
Completed Foundation year; 6 credit hours of Graphic Design: 2 introduction classes are needed to major.
Will I be able to incorporate other media or interests with my work as a Graphic Design major?
Yes; we support the exploration of communication through out many mediums.
What are some of the classes that are offered in your department?
Motive, Method, Making; Letterform Design; Branding and Visual Systems; History of Graphic Design; Information Design; Interactive Design; Type Design; Senior Projects
What are some of the unique aspects of this program?
We offer courses in letterform design, we have an emphasis on interdisciplinary study, and we have a conceptually coordinated program of study that inspires student designers to find unique paths into the practice and profession of design.
What are the faculty like?
Motivated, occasionally superhuman.
What are some examples of internships your students have done in the past?
Angela Adams, Martha Stewart Publishing, American Eagle Outfitters, L.L. Bean, Murphy Empire, Might & Main, Portland Museum of Art, and VIA Agency.
How many students (juniors and seniors) do you typically have in your major?
The Graphic Design program typically has 20-30 majors.
Faculty & Staff
Program
Preparation (1st yr)
GD 101 Perpetual Play (not required) & Foundation courses
Sophomore Year (2nd yr)
GD 102 Typography 1, GD 206 Letterform Design, GD 221 Branding and Visual Systems, GD 353 History of Graphic Design, 2 Studio Electives
Junior Year (3rd yr)
GD 311 Typography II, SEM 351 Motive, Method, Making, GD 302 Information Design, GD 380 Interactive Design, 2 Studio Electives
Senior Year
GD 411 Senior Studio, SEM 451 Professional Studio, GD 450 Independent Projects, 3 Studio Electives