We are writing on behalf of studio art majors currently studying the concentration of graphic design. There is overwhelming concern for Studio Art Senior Seminar and Professional Practice (STA 492) for the fall 2004 semester. This course previously has been offered both in the fall and spring semesters. By removing this course from the fall curriculum, potential December 2004 graduates in the graphic design program will be lacking the preparations required for professional industry.
Currently, there are two course sections within senior seminar. One offers a general preparation for studio art majors, mostly specializing on gallery/artist relationships. The other section focuses on the graphic design concentration, which currently holds more than 50 percent of the studio art majors at MSU. This larger section is the one currently being canceled for the fall semester.
The course offers advice on career placement, and more importantly, it focuses on portfolio preparation and review. The class is finalized every year by inviting local professionals to review portfolios and advise graduating students. A specialized graphic design seminar prepares students with the professionalism that the field requires. Forcing graduating graphic design seniors to enroll in a class focusing merely on gallery preparation and exhibition ignores the many needs of preparation for the design industry.
More specifically, the current faculty member that instructs this senior seminar Chris Van Wyck is a working professional in the field. He offers up-to-date knowledge regarding successful careers in graphic design. Van Wyck's local recognition allows the students a hands-on experience through internships, career advisement and off-campus field observation. Through his professional relationships, he allows students to meet one-on-one with working professionals in the area. This is an opportunity for portfolio review and possible career placement. Overall, this rounds out the design process.
This letter is an effort for the university to reconsider the removal of Senior Seminar instructed by a graphic design professional for the fall 2004 semester. This section needs to be available to all graphic design seniors for both fall and spring semesters.
Josie Johnston,
Rusti Smith and
Kristen Westlund
studio art seniors
