The Art and Design Department offers a rigorous art foundation program investigating the fundamental visual principles of composition, color, and drawing, along with a survey of art history and aesthetic theory. The skills and thought processes developed by students in the foundation program will form the basis for thoughtful work throughout their lives as artists and designers.
The training of a sensitive eye takes place through dialogue between artist and apprentice. At Tabor College, we limit foundation studio courses to 15 students to insure maximum student-teacher contact. Upper-division courses rarely top 10 students and, with longer class times, extended consultation with a professor is a common experience.
Designers and design educators often fall in love with form. Placing too much emphasis on style actually clouds the message rather than clarifying or accentuating it and defeats the purpose of the work—communication. In the Graphic Design major, we emphasize blending form and content.
Upper-division majors are granted studio space equipped with all the software and hardware one would expect to find in a professional studio. Although we are well equipped, emphasis is not placed on the computer except as the current preferred method of production. All courses are taught from a Christian worldview. It is our mission to develop Christian artists and designers who reflect Christ to the world through their life and work.
The department chair was privileged to study with Paul Rand, Armin Hofmann, Bradbury Thompson, and Inge Druckrey while earning the highest degree in the studio arts at Yale University. He has practiced in major markets, like Chicago, and small markets, like Wichita. His clients have included Fortune 500 companies and small hometown businesses. It is unique to find an individual with such a distinguished and varied background in the arts teaching at a small, private Christian college.