The MA degree programme in Graphics is being taught since 1995. The Department of Graphics delivering MA degree study programme 6211PX009 is part of the Faculty of Graduate and Postgraduate Studies of VAA. The faculty pursues strategic goals of enhancing the role of scientific and artistic research in the process of study and graduating researchers-artists capable of producing, interpreting and developing artistic research anchored in and issuing from artistic practice, and educate scholars capable of conducting independent scientific research and engaging in social and cultural agency. To merge studies, artistic and scholarly research into mutually supplementing activities is the faculty’s overarching objective, for this purpose, an interdisciplinary approach and joint evolutions involving students and teachers across different specialties is promoted.
The aim of the MA degree studies in Graphics is the development of a creative, analytically reasoning, researching and reflecting, professional graphic artist capable of creating, totally independently, in a unique way, graphic artwork of relevance and with a sense of context utilizing traditional and/or advanced technologies; to develop a creator shaping his/her unique artistic style and creative thinking consciously and purposefully, a person with a civil position, capable to apply innovation in artistic practice, expanding the field of expression of graphic art, ready to enter, with her/his artistic creation, the diverse and constantly changing national and international scene of the contemporary art.
The study programme for MA degree in Graphics is targeted to shape a creative, intelligent, innovative, socially responsible individual with universal interdisciplinary abilities, a person of integrity and a wide cultural horizon. Artistic research targets the development of an individual and overall human well-being. This development of an individual rests on scientific knowledge and values, which promote creative innovation across all walks of life, eco-culture, sustained development, creation of innovative work places, democracy, trust and collaborative approach and health conscious life style.
The student-centred study process is anchored not so much on the concrete learning outcomes, but first and foremost, rests on authentic and personal sense of significance of the results of the study. In analysing information, solving artistic and other problems, in acting and reflecting on their experience, students are active and focused on the main ideas; they discuss their insights and are the creators of their reality.
The aim of this study programme is spread across the entire study process and is in close connection with the intent of the studying individual. In essence, the two years of graduate studies is the time when interdisciplinary mentality and artistic practice are encouraged, and efforts are put to create artwork and culture of relevance. It is the time of research into methods by which visual art can preserve and/or deconstruct/or reconstruct our cultural prejudices and traditions. It is about learning to create art as a production with a potential of changing the mind. Over the course of studies, MA student has the time and space, and the opportunities to develop her/his talent, to unlock the previously unexplored, inexperienced and unconsidered avenues and to work on maturing one’s personality.
Paths of professional career
Holders of Master‘s degree in Graphics can work as illustrators, as book artists with publishing houses, be employed with the design, printing and advertising agencies, filling in positions of creative staff, of art directors, as idea generators and realizers of concrete work; they can take part in and organize all kind of art projects, curate exhibitions, serve as members and experts on commissions and boards, run private art enterprises, pursue individual artistic careers, take part in Lithuanian and international art exhibitions and competitions. After completion of a required pedagogical training course, graduates from the programme can take teaching art and technologies at high school, with colleges of art field, with higher education schools and universities; they can also further their scholarly and artistic career through doctoral studies.
The graduates of the programme who enter into permanent employment agreements or work on basis of author agreements are mainly employed by the publishing houses (Lithuanian Publishers’ Association has 45 members). The alumni of the course are employed as art directors, they do design, layout of publications and create illustrations. The teachers of the Department of Graphics also have labour relations with most of these publishers and can apply the sense of the real pulse of the market when training the specialists.
The Final Creative Projects Gallery
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