MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture
Build your illustration practice at a top research university in a vibrant, creative city.
The MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture (MFA-IVC) program combines studio practice in illustration and writing with the study of visual and material culture. With a focus on illustrator authorship, this two-year, fully residential program is made for illustrators, comic artists, and designers who are interested in popular visual matter of the modern and contemporary periods. We draw on the vast resources of Washington University, including the Dowd Illustration Research Archive.
Chair, MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture; Kenneth E. Hudson Professor of Art
Admissions Events
Aug 7, 12 – 4pm • Sam Fox School
Graduate Programs Summer Open House
Explore our graduate programs at WashU’s Sam Fox School during our Summer Open House. This event offers an in-depth look at our programs, the admissions process, and the community that defines our school. Join us for program overviews, lunch, and a guided tour, and a portfolio workshop.
Graduate Programs
- Master of Architecture
- Master of Landscape Architecture
- Master of Urban Design
- MS in Advanced Architectural Design
- MS in Architectural Studies
- Dual and Joint Degrees in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design.
- MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture
- MFA in Visual Art
- MDes for HCI and Emerging Technology
Schedule: The event begins with check-in from 12 - 1pm in Weil Hall on campus. During this time, you'lll have the opportunity to explore our studio spaces, tour our facilities, and visit the Kemper Art Museum. After check-in, you’ll take part in program overviews, enjoy lunch, a guided Sam Fox School tour, and a portfolio workshop.
Curriculum and Student Work
The MFA-IVC curriculum is designed to help students find their voice, discover a conceptual home for their work, frame their practice, and build an audience.
Featured student work
Faculty and Peers
The MFA-IVC program is built on the strengths and expertise of the school’s illustration and design faculty.
They are leading illustrators, writers, and scholars who create picture books, zines, graphic nonfiction, and comics. They research and write on diverse topics, like spatial justice, feminism, politics, illustration + design theory, and material culture. And, they love teaching.
Core program faculty:
- John Hendrix, chair
- D.B. Dowd
- Heidi Kolk
- Shreyas R Krishnan
- Dan Zettwoch
MFA-IVC candidates come from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. Get to know them and their work.
Danielle Ridolfi, MFA ‘23, leverages her PhD in child psychology to create picture books that fuse her study of visual culture with her deep knowledge of child development and learning.
Each semester, the Sam Fox School and the MFA-IVC program bring talented, innovative artists and illustrators to campus. Guests often conduct special review sessions with students during their stay.
Facilities and support
Located on the main floor of Weil Hall, the Roxanne H. Frank Design Studio — “the Roxy” — is the MFA-IVC’s home base. Each student has their own studio space and access to printers, scanners, Wacom tablets, cutting mats, bookbinding tools, and central AV. With ample space for pinups and group critiques, the Roxy also provides numerous areas to work, study, and relax.
Students also have access to the full suite of Sam Fox School shops, machines, printing and printmaking tools, and more. Plus, they enjoy access to all the academic resources of a tier-one research institution.
Over 92% of incoming graduate students at the Sam Fox School received a partial or full-tuition scholarship.
Get the lowdown on your application, portfolio, and future career opportunities from our program mascot, Lightnin’ George. Or, ask your own question!
Take our virtual tour, or schedule a campus visit! There’s no better way to get a feel for the program and what opportunities St. Louis has to offer emerging artists and designers.
The Graphic Vindicator
The Graphic Vindicator is the official publication of the MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture program in the Sam Fox School at WashU. To request a print copy via mail, click here.