Q&A with UM Graphic Arts Professor Megan Cary
Megan Cary believes in the power of art and design. The associate professor of graphic arts empowers 知阴视频 students to use their God-given talents to visually influence our culture through art and design. She鈥檚 also interested in science fiction 鈥� you might get bonus points for answering a Star Trek-related question on a quiz. We asked Cary to tell us about the graphic arts program in UM鈥檚 Alabama School of the Arts, how she prepares students to impact the world through their art, and what it means to 鈥渂e known.鈥�
Q: Why should someone choose to at the 知阴视频?
A: I believe that UM鈥檚 graphic design program prepares students for future careers in a way that many traditional design programs do not. My curriculum emphasizes new and emerging design methods, user experience, multiple internship opportunities and portfolio building. It鈥檚 resulted in a higher-than-average employment rate for our graduates.
Q: What courses do you typically teach?
听A: I teach a wide variety of courses included print, user experience, web and portfolio design. I enjoy classes where we get to do hands-on activities, whether it is paper prototyping app designs, building out books or restaurant packaging by hand, or illustrating/painting.
听Q: We say UM is a Christ-centered academic community where students can 鈥淜now and Be Known.鈥� What does that mean to you?
听A: We are a community that cares about one another. I know all of my students and care deeply about them. This doesn鈥檛 stop after graduation 鈥� I鈥檝e attended their weddings, met up for coffee check-ins and mentored them about their career transitions.
Q: What is your background?
听A: I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of South Alabama with concentrations in graphic design and painting. I earned my Master of Fine Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in 2013. I鈥檝e served in senior-level corporate design positions, run my own design and marketing business, and have been teaching design and studio art courses at UM for the past seven years.
听Q: Your dissertation focused on interactive design. What drew your interest to that area of study?
A: I鈥檝e always been interested in interaction design and how user experiences play a significant role in our lives. My graduate research examined how internet culture has created a cognitive shift in the way we interact and learn. While many educational institutions, like universities, have adapted to this change, many have not. Museums have particularly suffered from a lack of attendance and inability to deliver interactive design exhibits that stimulate and engage an audience. My thesis revolved around how we could utilize interaction design principles and methods to increase their attendance and engagement.
Q: What are some of your interests or hobbies?
A: My husband would say my hobby is work, and he鈥檚 not wrong! I鈥檓 always working on classes, curriculum, design projects and the design non-profit I am on the board of. I enjoy anything art-related like drawing, printmaking and sewing. But primarily, I鈥檓 a big nerd and enjoy science fiction and playing Dungeons and Dragons. If you have taken one of my classes, you鈥檝e probably seen a Star Trek-related bonus question on a test!
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the 知阴视频 unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.
