Why study Design at MC?

The Major and Minor in Design provides guided instruction and discourse in design process, principles, elements, creativity, problem-based solutions and develops a strong visual literacy and criticism of the role and impact of design in a global society. The program complements the broad knowledge grounded in the liberal arts tradition with specialized technical and aesthetic design skills and expertise.

The curriculum exhibits experiential and cooperative learning in conjunction with independent design research and projects, centralized towards compelling, effective, and culturally sensitive visual communication. For all students, the curriculum embraces the belief that design both enriches and is enriched by its interconnectedness with other areas of human behavior and the environment.

THE MARYVILLE COLLEGE DESIGN LAB is an internal service organization, created to provide quality graphic design and consulting services for local, regional and national non-profit, non-governmental organizations and MC campus groups, divisions and organizations. It also serves as an internship and ‘living lab’ for design majors to enhance design and communication skills and build their professional portfolios.

Scholarships, Awards, & Auditions

The Division of Fine Arts offers several opportunities to both first-year and returning or transfer students based on academic achievement, interest areas, leadership and talent. Learn More about the awards and qualifications >

Photo of Sophie Turner

Sophie Turner

Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Sophie chose Maryville because she loved the atmosphere of the campus and noticed how professors knew the students they taught on a personal level. In addition to majoring in Design, Sophie is on the women’s soccer team and is an editor for the Highland Echo, the College’s newspaper.

For her Senior Study, Sophie explored the evolution of human representations in art throughout history and the effects different representations have had on a person’s body image. “I love that my major has given me the skills to look at a problem from every angle and not just find a one-size-fits-all solution,” she said. “I also love how committed they are to helping me be the best designer I can be!”

 

Photo of Evan Gambill

Evan Gambill ’19

Currently: Senior Designer at Notion, LLC, in St. Louis, Mo.

Evan chose the Design major after encouragement from his family and a discussion with Professor Adrienne Schwarte. “MC Design classes were engaging and intellectually stimulating,” Evan said. “We were encouraged to celebrate each other’s creativity and skills, as well as our own.”

While a student, Evan created a logo that was selected to represent the Appalachian College Association. Today, he credits the College with preparing him for his career, stating “The MC internship program was a great segue into what working in the industry looks like on a daily basis – balancing workloads, communicating updates, and providing deliverables to clients within deadlines.”

Adrienne Schwarte
Adrienne Schwarte
Professor of Art
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Morgan Manning
Morgan Manning
Associate Professor of Art
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Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved:

  • Exhibit high standards of scholarship, creativity and integrity
  • Demonstrate a broad knowledge of diverse styles, genres, and media as well as technical and aesthetic proficiency with basic and advanced professional design software
  • Show a commitment to and self -critical awareness of their own design work and the ability to critique and evaluate others in a constructive, productive and collaborative manner
  • Understand major art historical movements, including the history of design, and the broad historical and cultural contexts in which they occurred
  • Demonstrate understanding of key aesthetic, ethical and technological issues that inform contemporary debate in the design fieldsMake and defend informed judgments concerning historical and contemporary design
  • Express sufficient understanding of design concepts to enable effective visual communication
  • Apply the basic principles of effective typography and time-based motion graphics
  • Understand the philosophy of sustainable design and how it informs professional design practice
  • Comprehend the importance of team-based design work and learn to collaborate and communicate effectively in a team-based, client-driven environment
  • Make and defend informed judgments concerning historical and contemporary design.

The Major in Design consists of at least 50 credit hours in art, design, and art history.

Required courses include:

Major and Major-Related Courses

DSN 337: To be fulfilled in on-campus Design Lab or professional equivalent

ART 102: Introduction to Two- Dimensional Design(4 hrs)
ART 103: Introduction to Sculpture and Three-Dimensional Design(4 hrs)
ART 111: Survey of Ancient Through Medieval Art(3 hrs)
ART 212: Renaissance, Baroque and Modern Art (3 hrs)
ART 299: Professional Practices Seminar(1 hrs)
ART 311: 20th Century Art(3 hrs)
DSN 123: Design 1(4 hrs)
DSN 223: Design 2(4 hrs)
DSN 231: Typography(4 hrs)
DSN 317: History of Design(3 hrs)
DSN 319: Contemporary Theories in Design(1 hrs)
DSN 323: Design 3(4 hrs)
DSN 337: Internship(0-15 hrs)
DSN 351: Senior Study I(3 hrs)
DSN 352: Senior Study II(3 hrs)
One additional course in art or an additional three-hour internship

A minor in Marketing or Writing Communication is encouraged. Students are required to prepare and present to the public a portfolio of their work.

The Minor in Design consists of 19–20 credit hours in art, design, and art history.

Required courses include:

Minor and Minor-Related Courses

ART 102: Introduction to Two- Dimensional Design(4 hrs)
DSN 123: Design 1(4 hrs)
DSN 223: Design 2(4 hrs)
DSN 323: Design 3(4 hrs)

One of the following:

DSN 231: Typography(4 hrs)
DSN 317: History of Design(3 hrs)
DSN 337: Internship(0-15 hrs)

The Major in Design is not open to students majoring in Art.

In addition to required courses for majors and minors, Maryville College students take classes in the Maryville Curriculum, a core program of general education. Consisting of 51 credit hours, the Maryville Curriculum ensures that students see their major in a wider context and develop the basic communication, quantitative, and critical thinking skills that are needed for success in college and career.

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