For some, ice is a temporary event, while for others, it is a constant way of life that is incredibly important to their ecosystems. The annual (or constant) freezing of lakes, rivers, oceans, and other bodies of water is crucial to the survival of these organisms and their flourishing environments. While it seems simple, it is actually a complex process. Tacey’s work examines the icy ecosystems of fresh and saltwater environments by condensing large, complex data sets into a viewer-friendly information graphic that unfolds like a visual story. The purpose is to make an extensive body of data into a visual system that is easy to navigate for any reader/viewer. The final intent of this project is a printed poster that educates the viewer while holding their attention.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Visual Communication (VC) is designed to provide our students with skills and abilities sought by employers in the industry and create designers who understand their civic responsibility and help shape the future of this field. The Visual Communications program develops the analytical skills and creative passion in our students to be designers, animators, and professional artists who creatively, yet strategically, resolve challenging visual design problems across a variety of media in an artistic, visually compelling manner.

In our program, students begin by building a strong foundation in the elements, principles, and processes of design. They build upon this foundation across their studio classes by engaging in the creation of increasingly complex designs focused on solving real-world problems. As a student progresses through the program, they incorporate a multi-disciplinary approach by applying concepts from art history, communication theory, drawing, and their liberal studies requirements to issues of design. Industry-standard software and technological applications are then integrated into their experience. Students learn how to apply design principles to software in a way that equips them with the skills to adapt to the latest technologies and prepare for those that will emerge in the future.