Application Requirements
To apply for the BFA in Communication Design Major, students submit a portfolio in March of the spring semester. This is at the close of their first year at Miami for most students. Communication Design faculty review these portfolios and then interview a select number of applicants to the program. We can admit up to 24 students a year. Students who are not admitted can reapply the following year. Many returning applicants build their portfolios further and are accepted the following year.
To apply for the Communication Design Minor, students submit a portfolio in March of the spring semester. Communication Design faculty review these portfolios and make admittance decisions based on the quality of this work.
Admission Requirements
Students desiring to pursue the Communication Design Minor must complete an application process and must satisfy the following requirements:
- A minimum 2.50 GPA
- Earned at least a "C" semester grade in ART 151 Becoming a People-Driven Designer (1hr.)
- Submit a link to ART 151 final project work as a Behance portfolio website
Each applicant's work will be reviewed by the Communication Design faculty, who all have experience as artists and designers in the field.
Application Process
Applying for the Minor in Communication Design involves a Portfolio Review of work completed in ART 151 Becoming a People-Driven Designer. The application includes the following.
- The final project from ART 151
- A current Degree Audit Report (DAR)
Late submissions will not be accepted. The ART 151 final project must be submitted digitally as a direct link to the video hosted on a Behance portfolio website. The Communication Design Faculty evaluates this work using the rubric shown below.
Conclusion: Admittance into the Communication Design Minor
Notification of admittance status will be emailed from the Communication Design faculty following the schedule below.
2024 Application Schedule
- Friday, March 15, 2024
- Student feedback sessions for portfolio submissions (current Communication Design students review applicant portfolios)
- Monday, March 18, 2024, 8:00 am. Eastern
- Portfolio submissions are due for major and minor in Communication Design. Use the link at the bottom of this page to apply.
- Friday, April 5, 2024
- Notification of acceptance into the Communication Design Minor.
Application Materials and Evaluation
The final project from ART 151 is the only work that is required for application.
Required Selection from ART 151
Create a Behance project page that includes your final project for ART 151. Use the title "ART 151 Final Project" and provide a brief description indicating how your work achieves the goals listed in the evaluation criteria below. Both the project itself and your written description will be considered in the evaluation.
Evaluation Criterion: Problem-Solving
Communication designers are creative problem solvers. Your video should address how you identify, examine, and creatively address complex problems.
Goal: The final video from ART 151 demonstrates my ability to identify, examine, and creatively address complex problems.
| Criterion | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Exemplary: Extraordinary Performance |
Demonstrates thinking about how intended and unintended stakeholders or audiences will be affected; real and perceived matters are addressed in thoughtful detail; concepts from many disciplines are combined to create a clearer view of the concept being addressed | 5 Points |
| Mastery: Full Competency |
Demonstrates thinking about how intended stakeholders or audiences will be affected and suggests that unintended issues may have been considered; real and perceived matters are addressed; concepts from several disciplines are combined to create a clearer view of the concept being addressed | 4 Points |
| Developing: Approaching Competency |
Demonstrates thinking about how only intended stakeholders or audiences will be affected; perception is ignored, and only direct issues are addressed; concepts from design-related disciplines are combined to explore the concept being addressed | 3 Points |
| Beginning: Basic Execution |
Demonstrates limited thinking about how intended stakeholders or audiences will be affected; direct issues are addressed at a basic level; concepts from only art and graphic design are applied to the concept being addressed | 2 Points |
| Incomplete: Missing Assigned Elements |
Demonstrates cursory thinking about effects of design; issues are basically addressed or even ignored; personal style and wants are applied to the concept being addressed, ignoring the larger context that surrounds the issue | 1 Point |
| Missing: No apparent attempt |
No apparent effort to think and work beyond the surface level | 0 Points |
Evaluation Criterion: Design Process
Communication designers use an iterative design process to help solve creative problems. Your video should showcase your ability to follow and communicate a design process.
Goal: The final video from ART 151 showcases my ability to follow, record, and communicate a design process.
| Criterion | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Exemplary: Extraordinary Performance |
All steps and processes are clearly documented in extreme detail; thinking, research, and design are documented so readers can understand the learner's strengths and innovative approaches | 5 Points |
| Mastery: Full Competency |
All steps and processes are clearly documented; thinking, research, and design are all well-documented and reveal the learner's abilities | 4 Points |
| Developing: Approaching Competency |
Most steps and processes are clearly documented; thinking, research, and design are documented but do not always demonstrate a clear development process | 3 Points |
| Beginning: Basic Execution |
Steps and processes are sporadically documented and are sometimes missing details; thinking, research, and design portions of the process aren't always clearly demonstrated | 2 Points |
| Incomplete: Missing Assigned Elements |
Steps and processes are often missing, and documentation feels "thrown together"; thinking, research, and design portions of the process don't seem to be valued | 1 Point |
| Missing: No apparent attempt |
No documentation effort is apparent | 0 Points |
Application: Communication Design Minor
Use the button below to apply for the Communication Design Minor. Late applications will not be accepted.
