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.
Admission Requirements
Students desiring to pursue the Communication Design Major must complete an application process and must satisfy the following requirements:
- A minimum 2.50 GPA
- Earned at least a "B-" semester grade in ART 151 Becoming a People-Driven Designer (1hr.)
- Submit a portfolio of art and design work as a Behance portfolio website
Application Process
The Pre-Communication Design Review is a two-stage process consisting of a Portfolio Review and a following stage of Admissions Interviews.
Stage 1: Applicants submit materials.
- A portfolio of art and design work
- The final project from ART 151
- A current Degree Audit Report (DAR)
Late submissions will not be accepted. Portfolios must be submitted digitally as a link to a Behance portfolio website. The Communication Design Faculty evaluates these portfolio applications using the rubric shown below.
Stage 2: Selected applicants participate in an interview.
After the Communication Design faculty evaluates submitted work, at least 30 students are invited to participate in Stage 2—application interviews. Details of the interview criteria and process are shown below.
Conclusion: Admittance into the Communication Design Major
Notification of admittance status will be emailed from the Communication Design faculty no more than a week after interviews are completed.
Applications with the highest combined portfolio and interview scores will be admitted to the program annually. No more than 24 applicants can be admitted. The Faculty in Communication Design will provide applicants whose work was not admitted with feedback and scores for the portfolio and interview, if applicable.
Another Option: Minor in Communication Design
Applications whose scores do not earn admittance into the Communication Design Major will be considered for the Minor in Communication Design. These applications have two options.
- Applicants who advance to the interview stage are automatically admitted into the Minor in Communication Design if they are not admitted into the Major
- Applicants for the Communication Design Major that do not advance to the interview stage are considered for the Minor in Communication Design and will receive an admission decision from the Communication Design faculty.
Coursework in the Minor in Communication Design "nests" inside the Communication Design Major, so coursework completed for the Major "counts" toward the Minor.
2024 Portfolio Review Schedule
Friday, March 15, 2024
Student feedback sessions for portfolio submissions (current Communication Design students review applicant portfolios)
Monday, March 18, 2024, 5:00 p.m. Eastern
Portfolio submissions are due for major and minor in Communication Design. Use the the link at the bottom of this page to apply.
Friday, March 22, 2024, after 12:00 (noon) Eastern
All applicants receive an email with the results of the portfolio review. Applicants invited to the interview phase sign up for an interview time.
Wednesday, April 03, and Thursday, April 04, 2024
Interviews with selected candidates.
Friday, April 05, 2024
Notification of acceptance into the Communication Design Major.
Stage 1: Portfolio
The Behance portfolio should contain no more than nine pieces of college-level artwork selected to demonstrate the applicant's range of skills and abilities. The final project from ART 151 is required. The eight additional pieces of work should include a mix of physical and digital projects from Art Foundations courses you are enrolled in or completed.
Required Selection from Pre-Communication Design Coursework
The final project from ART 151: Pre-Communication Design must be included in your portfolio. Create a Behance project page that includes your final project. 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.
| Exemplary: Extraordinary Performance 5 points |
Mastery: Full Competency 4 points |
Developing: Approaching Competency 3 points |
Beginning: Basic Execution 2 points |
Incomplete: Missing Assigned Elements 1 point |
Missing: No apparent attempt 0 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | No apparent effort to think and work beyond the surface level |
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.
| Exemplary: Extraordinary Performance 5 points |
Mastery: Full Competency 4 points |
Developing: Approaching Competency 3 points |
Beginning: Basic Execution 2 points |
Incomplete: Missing Assigned Elements 1 point |
Missing: No apparent attempt 0 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | All steps and processes are clearly documented; thinking, research, and design are all well-documented and reveal the learner's abilities | Most steps and processes are clearly documented; thinking, research, and design are documented but do not always demonstrate a clear development process | Steps and processes are sporadically documented and are sometimes missing details; thinking, research, and design portions of the process aren't always clearly demonstrated | 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 | No documentation effort is apparent |
Selections from Personal Portfolio
For each of the evaluation criteria below, select the most appropriate project from your personal portfolio. These projects can be from foundations or other university coursework, professional commissions, or personal projects. Create a Behance project page using the criterion title as the project title and provide a brief project description indicating how you feel the work you have chosen best fits the goal for each criterion. Both the project and your written description will be considered in the evaluation.
Evaluation Criterion: Visual Composition
Communication designers use visual composition to arrange aesthetic elements to create usable, useful, and understandable work. Select the work that you feel best achieves the goal listed below. Goal: This piece best demonstrates my ability to utilize the elements and principles of design (form, shape, line, texture, space, balance, unity, contrast, repetition, pattern, and emphasis) to create an aesthetic visual composition.
| Exemplary: Extraordinary Performance 5 points |
Mastery: Full Competency 4 points |
Developing: Approaching Competency 3 points |
Beginning: Basic Execution 2 points |
Incomplete: Missing Assigned Elements 1 point |
Missing: No apparent attempt 0 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The selected piece represents the use of all principles and elements design. Displayed a clear effort in regard to aesthetic decision-making | The selected piece shows most of the principles and elements of design. Displayed a clear effort in regard to aesthetic decision-making | The selected piece shows a few of the principles and elements and principles of design. Displayed some effort in regards to aesthetic decision-making | The selected piece shows more than one of the principles and elements of design. Displayed little effort in regard to aesthetic decision-making | The selected piece shows one principle or element of design. Displayed little effort in regard to aesthetic decision-making | The selected piece shows no principle nor element of design. Displayed no effort in aesthetic decision-making |
Evaluation Criterion: Color
Communication designers use color to evoke all kinds of emotions to enhance the concept or idea being expressed in their creative work. Select the work that you feel best achieves the goal listed below. Goal: This piece best demonstrates my ability to create work that utilizes color to enhance the concept or idea being expressed and showcases my knowledge of color relationships and schemes.
| Exemplary: Extraordinary Performance 5 points |
Mastery: Full Competency 4 points |
Developing: Approaching Competency 3 points |
Beginning: Basic Execution 2 points |
Incomplete: Missing Assigned Elements 1 point |
Missing: No apparent attempt 0 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The selected piece demonstrates the ability to choose and apply color in a way that enhances the idea/concept being expressed. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of color relationships and schemes | The selected piece demonstrates the ability to choose and apply color in a way that enhances the idea/concept being expressed. Demonstrates knowledge of color relationships and schemes | The selected piece demonstrates the ability to choose and apply color in a way that is appropriate for the idea/concept being expressed. Demonstrates knowledge of color relationships and schemes | The selected piece demonstrates the ability to choose and apply color in a way that is NOT appropriate for the idea/concept being expressed., however, there is still a demonstration of knowledge related to color relationships and schemes | The selected piece demonstrates the ability to choose and apply color in a way that is inappropriate for the idea/concept being expressed. No demonstration of knowledge related to color relationships and schemes | No color utilization or demonstration of knowledge related to color relationships and schemes |
Evaluation Criterion: Drawing Ability
Communication designers use drawing to quickly represent ideas and create believable and tangible prototypes for clients. Select the work that you feel best achieves the goal listed below. Goal: This piece best demonstrates my ability to develop a believable, detailed, and compelling drawing through the use of controlled abstraction, shading, perspective, and/or line quality.
| Exemplary: Extraordinary Performance 5 points |
Mastery: Full Competency 4 points |
Developing: Approaching Competency 3 points |
Beginning: Basic Execution 2 points |
Incomplete: Missing Assigned Elements 1 point |
Missing: No apparent attempt 0 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The selected piece demonstrates the ability to create a believable and detailed drawing. Controlled abstraction, shading, perspective, and/or line quality are used to add interest and enhance the believability of the drawing | The selected piece demonstrates the ability to create a believable and detailed drawing. Controlled abstraction, shading, perspective, and/or line quality are used to add interest to the drawing | The selected piece demonstrates the ability to create a believable drawing that is somewhat detailed. Little use has been made of controlled abstraction, shading, perspective, and/or line quality | The selected piece includes few details to make the drawing believable. Very little use of controlled abstraction, shading, perspective, and/or line quality | The selected piece lacks almost all detail, OR it is unclear what the drawing is intended to be. Very little use of controlled abstraction, shading, perspective, and/or line quality |
Evaluation Criterion: Concept
Communication designers use concepts to make complex content and ideas easier to understand. Select the work that you feel best achieves the goal listed below. Goal: This piece best demonstrates my ability to effectively develop and communicate content or ideas.
| Exemplary: Extraordinary Performance 5 points |
Mastery: Full Competency 4 points |
Developing: Approaching Competency 3 points |
Beginning: Basic Execution 2 points |
Incomplete: Missing Assigned Elements 1 point |
Missing: No apparent attempt 0 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complex concepts are elegantly communicated via unexpected and surprising content combinations; concepts are emotionally and intellectually invigorating; conceptual content is challenging, insightful, and understandable | Complex concepts are clearly communicated; concepts are emotionally and intellectually challenging; conceptual content is challenging, deep, and understandable | Basic concepts are clearly communicated; concepts spark intended thinking and feelings; conceptual content is understandable and sometimes deep | Basic concepts are not always communicated well; conceptual content is understandable but not surprising or unique | Basic concepts are not communicated effectively; conceptual content is understandable on a basic level | No apparent attempt to develop a unique concept |
Evaluation Criterion: Exploration of Media
Communication designers try different creative tools and techniques. Select the work that you feel best achieves the goal listed below. Goal: This piece best demonstrates my ability to try and combine different creative tools and techniques.
| Exemplary: Extraordinary Performance 5 points |
Mastery: Full Competency 4 points |
Developing: Approaching Competency 3 points |
Beginning: Basic Execution 2 points |
Incomplete: Missing Assigned Elements 1 point |
Missing: No apparent attempt 0 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The selected piece explores, masters, and implements challenging and unexpected creative tools and techniques into work | The selected piece investigates and implements a wide range of creative tools and techniques into work | The selected piece implements expected, "safe" creative tools and techniques into work. | The selected piece uses only "expected" creative tools and techniques to produce work; media selections based on personal preference | The selected piece uses creative tools and techniques in an unoriginal way. | The selected piece does not consider creative tools and techniques as a valuable component of the design |
Evaluation Criterion: Attention to Detail
Communication designers pay close attention to detail and impeccable hand and digital craft skills. Select the work that you feel best achieves the goal listed below. Goal: This piece best demonstrates my ability to create work with careful attention to detailed execution and high quality of hand and/or digital craft.
| Exemplary: Extraordinary Performance 5 points |
Mastery: Full Competency 4 points |
Developing: Approaching Competency 3 points |
Beginning: Basic Execution 2 points |
Incomplete: Missing Assigned Elements 1 point |
Missing: No apparent attempt 0 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Every detail is addressed with considerate, deliberate, thoughtful attention; unexpected details are addressed to elevate the quality of the work; no part of the work lacks attention | Every detail is addressed and expertly executed; some unexpected details are addressed to elevate the quality of the work; no part of the work lacks attention | Most details are addressed and well-executed; every "expected" detail is addressed, though there are no surprises; a few parts of the work lack attention | Some details are addressed and well-executed but some have been ignored; even some "expected" details are missed; many parts of the work lack attention | Many details were missed and these hurt the overall quality of the work; missed details distract viewers; a lack of attention is apparent | Work is sloppy, seems rushed, and is ill-formed |
Evaluation Criterion: Risk-Taking
Communication designers take risks that may include going beyond the original parameters of an assignment or brief, introducing new materials and forms into your work, tackling controversial topics and/or concepts, or advocating unpopular ideas or solutions. Select the work that you feel best achieves the goal listed below.
Goal: This piece best demonstrates my ability to take risks in my creative practice.
| Exemplary: Extraordinary Performance 5 points |
Mastery: Full Competency 4 points |
Developing: Approaching Competency 3 points |
Beginning: Basic Execution 2 points |
Incomplete: Missing Assigned Elements 1 point |
Missing: No apparent attempt 0 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The selected piece demonstrates an ability to actively seek out and follow through on untested and potentially risky directions or approaches | The selected piece demonstrates an ability to incorporate new directions or approaches | The selected piece demonstrates an ability to consider new directions or approaches but does not fully incorporate them in the final solution |
The selected piece somewhat demonstrates an ability to consider new directions or approaches and does not incorporate them in the final solution |
The selected piece demonstrates little deviation from the given guidelines | No evidence of risk taken. |
Wildcard Selection
For the evaluation criteria below, select any piece you wish and create a Behance project page using the criterion title as the project title and provide a brief project description indicating how the work you have chosen best fits the goal for each criterion. Both the project and your written description will be considered in the evaluation.
Evaluation Criterion: Creativity
Communication designers use their imagination to create unexpected and interesting visual work. Select the work that you feel best achieves the goal listed below. Goal: This piece best demonstrates my original thinking and imagination, as well as my ability to create in unexpected ways by taking advantage of interesting visual or conceptual components.
| Exemplary: Extraordinary Performance 5 points |
Mastery: Full Competency 4 points |
Developing: Approaching Competency 3 points |
Beginning: Basic Execution 2 points |
Incomplete: Missing Assigned Elements 1 point |
Missing: No apparent attempt 0 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unexpected and innovative outcomes; imaginative; integrates many disparate and unconventional concepts and influences | Novel and engaging outcomes; integrates a few disparate concepts and influences | Expected and "normal" outcomes; integrates a few expected concepts and influences | Basic outcomes that have been tried before; integrates no new concepts and/or influences | Uneven outcomes that mimic the work of others; integrates no new concepts and/or influences | No evidence of original thought or attempt to create novel outcomes |
Stage 2: Interview
Applicants whose average portfolio score is 3.0 or above will be invited to participate in an admissions interview. At least 30 applicants will be interviewed. In the interview, applicants will be asked questions related to their daily life, creative work, design process, inspirational people, and other academic coursework at Miami. Additionally, applicants will be asked to critique design work that they didn’t create. The evaluation criteria for the interview are listed below.
| Exemplary: Extraordinary Performance 5 points |
Mastery: Full Competency 4 points |
Developing: Approaching Competency 3 points |
Beginning: Basic Execution 2 points |
Incomplete: Missing Assigned Elements 1 point |
Missing: No apparent attempt 0 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The candidate demonstrated exceptional knowledge of the communication design program. Great poise and eye-contact. Detailed, clear, and specific answers to questions. Relates creative skills and references work in their portfolio. The interview/critique is thoughtful and insightful, and innovative | The candidate demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the communication design program. Good poise and eye-contact. Detailed and specific answers to questions. Relates creative skills and references work in their portfolio. The interview/critique is thoughtful and insightful | The candidate demonstrated some knowledge of the communication design program. Inconsistent poise and eye-contact. Some detailed and specific answers to questions. Relates creative skills and references work in their portfolio. The interview/critique is somewhat thoughtful and insightful | The candidate demonstrated little knowledge of the communication design program. Limited poise and eye-contact. Few detailed and specific answers to questions. Has a hard time relating creative skills and referencing work in their portfolio. The interview/critique is superficial | The candidate demonstrated no knowledge of the communication design program. No poise and eye-contact. Inappropriate answers to questions. Does not relate creative skills and reference work in their portfolio. The interview/critique is unclear, jumbled, or poorly worded | Did not participate in interview/critique |
Communication Design Portfolio and Interview Criteria · Last Updated February 2023
Portfolio Submission: Communication Design Major
Use the button below to apply for the Communication Design Major. Late applications will not be accepted.
