A master’s in graphic design can help you gain the skills and knowledge to succeed in various art and design careers. Graphic design master’s graduates may qualify for jobs like graphic designer, art director, industrial designer and graphic design instructor.

Though a master’s in graphic design is not a standard requirement for the field, earning this degree can help you stand out from other applicants in a competitive job market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects slower-than-average job growth for graphic designers between 2021 and 2031, meaning employers can be more selective.

A graphic design graduate degree provides an excellent opportunity to refine your skills, build a portfolio of work and network with other professionals in the field. Find out what to expect from master’s programs in graphic design, including potential graphic design career paths, in the guide below.

What Is a Master’s Degree in Graphic Design?

A master’s in graphic design is a graduate-level degree that prepares students for various arts, digital media and design-related careers. Graphic design master’s programs focus on advanced graphic design theory, concepts, tools and practices. Classes explore typography, design criticism, and graphic design and art history.

A typical master’s degree takes full-time students two years to complete. It usually takes longer to graduate if you study part time.

Graphic design programs may offer a master of fine arts (MFA) or master of arts (MA) degree. Both degree types usually require core and elective coursework, seminars, a portfolio and studio work. An MFA may take longer to complete than an MA and typically prepares graduates for professional fine arts practice. An MA might be a better choice if you plan to do something other than become a professional artist.

Degree requirements often include a capstone or practicum experience or an internship, either of which provides hands-on experience in a professional graphic design setting. If you choose an online master’s in graphic design, you may need to complete internship or practicum requirements in person. Some programs also require a master’s thesis.

Admission Requirements for a Master’s Degree in Graphic Design

Admission criteria for master’s programs in graphic design vary by school but always include a bachelor’s degree. Depending on the program, you may not need an undergraduate graphic design degree to pursue a master’s in the subject, but you must demonstrate a strong graphic design background.

Potential admission requirements for a master’s in graphic design program include:

• Official transcripts that prove you hold a bachelor’s degree
• Letters of recommendation (sometimes optional)
• A personal statement or statement of purpose
• A résumé
• A graphic design portfolio

Common Courses in a Master’s Degree in Graphic Design

Explore some typical classes in a master’s degree in graphic design:

• User experience design. This core course explores fundamental user experience design theories and tools. Topics include wireframing, stakeholder interviews, prototypes and customer experience maps.
• Graduate graphic design studio. Studio time allows learners to work on design projects for their portfolios.
• History of graphic design. Students learn about the history of graphic design, including key figures and events that shaped the field today.
• Graphic design thesis. Depending on the program, students may take one or more classes to work on their graphic design thesis. This project is the culmination of everything learned during the program and usually includes both written and design components.

Accreditation for a Master’s Degree in Graphic Design

Some of the best degrees in graphic design are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), which evaluates educational quality for undergraduate and graduate programs in arts and design-related disciplines.

Though not an industry requirement, attending an NASAD-accredited graphic design program may help you stand out from others in the field. You can look up programs in NASAD’s database of accredited institutions to see if your prospective degree is programmatically accredited.

What Can You Do with a Master’s Degree in Graphic Design?

A master’s degree in graphic design can prepare you to apply for various creative jobs. Some of these roles may require experience, education or certification beyond a master’s in graphic design. No degree guarantees a specific job, but you can learn some potential opportunities below.

The below salary data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or Payscale.

Graphic Designers

Median Annual Salary: $57,990
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Graphic designers tell stories and communicate information visually. They use digital tools and draw by hand to create the design and layout of magazines, websites, products and advertisements. Graphic designers often work with public relations, marketing and advertising professionals. These professionals need creativity and artistic, computer and communication skills.

Fine Artists

Median Annual Salary: $57,560
Minimum Required Education: None required, but many complete a bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Fine artists use various techniques and mediums to create original art that they sell or exhibit. Many fine artists also have other jobs in addition to selling their art. Many types of fine artists use graphic design skills, including cartoonists, illustrators, medical and scientific illustrators, and video artists.

Art Directors

Median Annual Salary: $105,180
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Art directors oversee and help create the design and style in movies, TV, magazines and product packaging. Tasks include managing other design workers, dealing with clients, and approving images and concepts. Art directors may work in publishing, advertising and public relations or movie production.

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Median Annual Salary: $98,950
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Special effects artists and animators make visual effects and images for movies, tv shows and video games. With experience, they can sometimes advance to become art directors or producers. Special effects artists and animators need artistic talent and creativity, as well as computer and communication skills.

Postsecondary Teacher

Median Annual Salary: $76,920
Minimum Required Education: Master’s degree
Job Overview: Postsecondary teachers provide instruction to students after high school. They work in universities, community colleges and professional schools. Common job duties include teaching classes, grading student work, conducting research and making lesson plans.
Although most universities require instructors to hold a Ph.D., a master’s degree in graphic design can suffice for some postsecondary teaching positions in the field.

User Experience (UX) Designer

Average Annual Salary: About $76,400
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: UX designers improve a user’s experience using a product or service through design. UX design most commonly applies to computer software and hardware, but the discipline’s principles can be used in other areas as well. UX designers create prototypes, conduct user testing and evaluate outcomes. They usually work on teams with engineers and other designers.

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Median Annual Salary: $83,240
Minimum Required Education: High school diploma or bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Web and digital interface designers create designs for websites and digital interfaces. Job duties include developing and testing layouts, navigation menus and interfaces, along with evaluating web design and managing web content. Web and digital interface designers also create website graphics.

Industrial Designers

Median Annual Salary: $75,910
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Industrial designers use art, engineering and business skills to design manufactured products like cars, furniture and toys. Typical duties include brainstorming designs, sketching ideas, creating prototypes of designs and meeting with clients to discuss projects. Industrial designers need artistic ability, creativity and computer, mechanical and problem-solving skills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Master’s Degrees in Graphic Design

We see graphic design elements on everything from cereal boxes and websites to magazine ads and video games. Nearly all products you purchase and visual media you consume require some form of graphic design. Wherever you see visual images, you see graphic design.

If you’re thinking about a graphic design career, you have quite a few options available. You could work for a publishing house, an advertising agency, a video game production company, a movie production studio, a private business or in many other environments. In this article, we explore graphic design careers so you know what to expect as you consider career paths in graphic design.

What Is Graphic Design?

The graphic design discipline uses art and technology to create images that communicate ideas. It brings context and emotion to text to make messages clearer and more interesting. Graphic designers use design elements to break up blocks of text, choose typefaces and colors that convey a certain feeling or look, and bring ideas to life with drawings, photos, animations and other images.

The goals of graphic design depend on the context and purpose but may include:

• Making product packages look attractive enough to compel consumers to purchase them
• Helping businesses build consistent brand identities
• Creating realistic and engaging animated worlds in video games or films
• Drawing in new customers using compelling images
• Making websites more interesting and easier to read
• Encouraging readers to open the cover of a book to see what’s inside
• Displaying statistics and other information in easy-to-understand graphics

Education and Training for Careers in Graphic Design

In today’s job market, graphic design careers require both artistic ability and technical knowledge. Even if art comes naturally to you, you still need formal training for a graphic design career.

Many graphic design jobs require a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, fine arts or a related discipline. Your graphic design degree prepares you for a career in the field through courses in design principles, printing techniques, studio art, computerized design and other relevant subjects. It also provides you with opportunities to create a design portfolio, which is essential to landing graphic design jobs.

You may qualify for some jobs if you have a high school diploma with art and design coursework. Since you also need to have a portfolio and knowledge of computer software design programs, you may need additional training to compete for these jobs.

A Day in the Life in Graphic Design

Graphic design is broad and encompasses many careers, so your typical day in the field varies according to your job.

For instance, if you work in a marketing agency, you may collaborate with team members to create images for an advertising campaign. If you work for a corporation, you may be part of a marketing department that handles many types of design projects for the company. If you’re a freelancer, you may work from home and meet with clients through video calls.

Careers in Graphic Design

We sourced the salary data below from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Payscale.

Graphic Designer

Median Annual Salary: $57,990
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Graphic designers are artists who create visual images for businesses and organizations, which use these images for websites, logos, product packaging, advertisements, publications, reports or other printed or digital items. Graphic designers typically use computer software to create designs, but they may also do so by hand. They need to understand the concepts of color theory, design elements, typefaces, digital illustration and photo editing.

Graphic designers play a vital role in marketing because their designs help promote brand identity and inspire consumers to purchase products or services. Learn more with our guide on how to become a graphic designer.

Art Director

Median Annual Salary: $105,180
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Art directors determine the overall visual style and feel of movie and television productions, product packaging, live performances, video games, newspapers, magazines, and other consumer products and publications. They consider how a project’s artistic elements work together to develop a consistent look and feel.

Art directors direct and oversee the work of graphic designers, photographers, exhibit designers and other design staff members involved in creating these projects. They work in various environments, including advertising and public relations agencies, publishing firms, and movie and television production companies.

Web Designer

Median Annual Salary: $83,240
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in web design or a related field
Job Overview: Web designers may handle the front or back end of website development. Front-end developers focus on a website’s graphic elements, layout, and look and feel. Some jobs focus on digital interface design, such as working with layout, photos and brand colors, in addition to functionality issues.

Web design positions may require programming knowledge and coding skills in addition to graphic design skills. Web design professionals use graphic design principles to create beautiful, engaging and effective websites that align with a business’s vision. They may work as full-time employees or freelancers.

Special Effects Artist and Animator

Median Annual Salary: $98,950
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Special effects artists and animators often work in the film and video game industries. They use computer animation software programs, illustrations and other technology to create animations, 2-D and 3-D models, and other visual effects that give movement to images, such as scenery, characters or backgrounds.

Illustrator

Average Annual Salary: Around $54,000
Minimum Required Education: Associate or bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Illustrators create drawings for various physical or digital purposes. They may create book cover art, book illustrations, greeting cards, product packaging or digital media. Illustrators can use traditional mediums, such as watercolors or pencils, or high-tech computer software programs. They may work at publishing houses, advertising agencies, media companies, or other businesses and organizations.

Professional Organizations for Graphic Design

It’s a good idea to check out professional organizations for graphic designers if you’re planning a graphic design career path. These organizations typically provide resources, training, support and services to help graphic designers build successful careers. Below we list a few popular organizations for graphic design and related professions.

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)

AIGA provides opportunities for networking, leadership and professional development. Members access job listings, virtual events and free tools, such as legal guides, designer toolkits and sample contracts. This organization promotes the value of design and its impact on businesses, the media and the government. AIGI also gives awards to design leaders who have made significant achievements in the field of design.

Graphic Artists Guild

The Graphic Artists Guild offers webinars, educational resources, business development support, special events, grievance assistance, contract assistance, access to affordable health insurance, and advocacy for artists at the legislative, judicial and regulatory levels. This organization serves graphic designers, illustrators, animators, web developers and creative professionals in related fields.

Society of Illustrators

The Society of Illustrators supports the art of illustration through educational programs, competitions, awards, scholarships, art exhibitions and access to job listings. Members also receive free admission to more than 600 art museums throughout the United States.

Society for News Design (SND)

SND, an international organization, serves creative news media professionals with careers in print, mobile and web publications. Members include those who design, report, illustrate, edit, write code, and create videos and photos. SND provides education and training opportunities and events, annual workshops, exhibitions, creative competitions, portfolio reviews and networking opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Graphic Design Careers

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – Starting with the opening parade Saturday, July 1, Artown is ready for 31 days of music, art, dance and more.

Oliver X, marketing director of Artown, Michael Mac Millan, FOH at Reno Public Market, and Joel Ackerson, one of Artown’s performers, stopped by Morning Break to get Northern Nevada hyped for what’s to com in July.

The Reno Public Market is one of the newest locations to host Artown events. For a full list of all that’s happening at RPM, click here. You can also follow RPM on Facebook and Instagram.

Joel Ackerson is best known for his role as guitarist/mandolinist and co-lead vocalist for the award-winning rock quartet, The Novelists. In a career spanning more than two decades, Joel has shared his music at over 2500 shows in 37 states and 8 countries, featuring his storyteller lyricism and intensely emotive vocals. His recorded works included 11 studio albums and 3 EPs, and 8 of his songs have been featured in international TV shows. He’ll be performing at the Reno Public Market Friday, July 30 at 6 p.m. Click here to learn more.

You can find a full list of Artown headliners, additional performers and events on its website. You can also follow Artown on Facebook and Instagram.

Copyright 2023 KOLO. All rights reserved.

A few miles east of Austin, Texas, just outside of the small city of Elgin, a trailblazing initiative has provided an educational experience for adults with intellectual disabilities since 1989. Founded by parents of a daughter with Down’s Syndrome who noticed a lack of resources available to adults with disabilities, Down Home Ranch provides vocational opportunities and a summertime sleep-away camp. Over time, it has become a place of refuge that encourages personal expression and a home away from home for many of its attendees.

Austin-based director and cinematographer Riley Engemoen and photographer Liz Moskowitz captured magical moments and intimate insights into camp residents’ activities, relationships, and emotions in a short documentary, “Down Home.” Through poignant narration and stunning imagery, the filmmakers evoke a distinctly American nostalgia and celebrate how a safe space and togetherness “gives adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to escape societal barriers and have a good ol’ time dancing, loving, and feeling free.”

See more from Riley Engemoen on Vimeo and his website, and you can see more work by Liz Moskowitz on her website and Instagram.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article ‘Down Home’ Celebrates Joy and Togetherness at a Summer Camp for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities appeared first on Colossal.

JENNIFER FRANCIS is the first Director of External Affairs at the Museum of London.

The new role will see Francis spearhead the museum’s communications, digital innovation and development teams, alongside supporting a new organisational strategy to increase annual visitor numbers and engage more young people. 

Francis’ appointment follows the closure of the museum’s London Wall site in December last year, as it prepares to relocate to Smithfield. The museum is expected to reopen in 2026 under a new name, The London Museum.

With entrepreneurial experience in the culture and heritage sector, Francis joins from the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey, where she was Director of Brand and Marketing. 

Prior to this, she held executive and senior leadership roles at a range of organisations including Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She was also Head of Press and Marketing at Royal Academy of Arts for eight years. 

Francis is a trustee of Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust and Chair of the Marketing and Sales Committee, as well as an Advisory Board Member at Attenborough Arts Centre. 

Museum of London Director SHARON AMENT said she is “more than delighted” Francis is joining. 

“In the run up to opening a world-class city museum in the heart of London’s historic centre, her energy, experience, creativity and flair will be a huge asset.”

Francis added: “As a proud Londoner, I’m honoured to take up this role at the Museum of London and look forward to playing a leading part in delivering its game-changing vision to become one of the most well-known cultural destinations in the UK and worldwide.” 

Graphic designers use their creativity, technical skills and knowledge of design theory to communicate messages and stories visually. They help organizations raise brand awareness by designing the visual layout and look of brochures, magazines, products and websites. Graphic design specializations include illustration, packaging design, game design and animation.

Graphic designers understand how to choose the right colors, fonts, and graphics to convey messages to audiences. They use graphic design theory, practices, tools and skills to develop portfolios of work to show potential employers. Most graphic designers hold bachelor’s degrees in graphic design or a related field.

Learn more about what graphic designers do and how to become a graphic designer below.

What Is a Graphic Designer?

Graphic designers, sometimes called communication designers or graphic artists, tell stories and communicate information visually using their knowledge of images, text, color and layout. These skilled professionals work by hand and use various computer software and hardware to create the layout and look of reports, advertisements and logos.

Role and Responsibilities

On a typical day on the job, a graphic designer may meet with clients to discuss or present a project, use software to design a layout, create original illustrations, and choose specific fonts and colors for a project. Graphic designers need creativity and artistic talent, as well as computer, communication and time management skills. They use tools like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign.

Work Environment

Many graphic designers work independently as freelancers. Others work for agencies or in-house in the specialized design services, advertising and public relations, printing and publishing industries. Graphic designers often collaborate on projects within larger design teams and may interact with art directors, writers, marketing professionals and computer programmers.

Types of Graphic Designer

Graphic design is a diverse field with many focus areas and specializations available, depending on your interests, talents and experience. Learn about some of the most popular graphic design specializations below.

• Packaging design: These professionals design packaging for all kinds of products, from cereal boxes to shampoo bottles and smartphone boxes.
• Web design: Graphic designers who specialize in web design use their technical skills and design knowledge to make websites visually pleasing with intuitive layouts.
• Animation: This specialization gives you the chance to animate visual media, bringing it to life.
• Game design: Game designers use technical and creative skills to create games.
• Publication design: Graphic designers who specialize in publication design work on printed visual media like books, magazines and newspapers. They focus on layout and typography.
• User experience (UX) or user interface (UI) design: Graphic designers who specialize in UX/UI design use design principles to improve the user (or customer) experience.
• Illustration: Graphic designers use their drawing skills to create images for advertisements, logos, book covers and products.
• Experiential: Experiential designers help create experiences between people and built environments using advertising campaigns or art installations.

Graphic Designer Salary and Job Outlook

Your salary as a graphic designer varies depending on factors like position, employer, education and experience. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that graphic designers earn a median salary of $57,990 annually.

Prepare to do what you can to stand out in this competitive field. The BLS projects graphic design jobs will grow at a slower-than-average rate between 2021 and 2031, with employment increasing by only 3% during that time frame.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Graphic Designer?

For most people, it takes at least four years—the time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree—to launch a graphic design career. Learn more about the steps required to become a professional graphic designer below.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree (or Complete Alternative Education)

Most graphic designers earn a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field. A typical curriculum covers the history of graphic design, graphic design software, visual storytelling and typography.

Some of the best graphic design bachelor’s programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Find out if your graphic design program is accredited by searching for it in NASAD’s directory of accredited institutions.

A typical bachelor’s program in graphic design takes four years of full-time study to complete. It may be possible to earn an accelerated online graphic design degree in less than four years. Part-time graphic design majors usually take longer than four years to graduate.

Some people decide to pursue a graphic design career after earning a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field. These aspiring graphic designers can usually meet hiring requirements by completing technical training through a postgraduate graphic design certificate program or graphic design bootcamp. These intensive programs take less time to complete than a traditional bachelor’s degree.

Create a Graphic Design Portfolio

Putting together a graphic design portfolio that shows off your creative prowess and vision may be the most important thing you can do to get work as a professional graphic designer. Employers want to see what you can do, and a portfolio is the industry standard providing a window into your skills and your approach to visual storytelling.

Most graphic design bachelor’s programs include a portfolio course that helps students compile their best work in preparation for job interviews after graduation. A portfolio should include visual samples from your best projects.

Complete a Graphic Design Internship

Many graphic design programs offer internships as part of the curriculum. An internship completing graphic design projects for real companies gives students hands-on experience that they can use to apply for entry-level positions. In some cases, a graphic design internship can lead to a job offer after graduation, or at least a letter of recommendation for other roles.

Consider Professional Graphic Design Certifications

Though the graphic design industry does not require any particular certification, earning a relevant credential can demonstrate to prospective employers that you take your career seriously. A certification may also help you stand out from other job applicants by showcasing your expertise in a specific area of graphic design.

You can choose from many graphic design credentials depending on your education, experience and specialization. For example, you can earn an Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) certification in areas like Visual Design Using Photoshop, Graphic Design and Illustration Using Adobe Illustrator, and Visual Effects and Motion Graphics Using Adobe After Effects.

Pursue Continuing Education

The technical skills needed to thrive in the graphic design industry are constantly changing. If you want to stay relevant in the field, it’s important to continue learning to stay current on industry trends. You can do this by completing continuing education courses, training and workshops through professional organizations for graphic designers, which we explore in more detail below.

Professional Organizations for Graphic Designers

• American Institute of Graphic Arts: A professional organization for design professionals founded in 1914, AIGA boasts more than 70 chapters and over 15,000 members. Joining gives you access to networking with the AIGA community, leadership opportunities, professional development and job postings.
• Graphic Artists Guild: The Guild represents creative professionals like graphic designers, illustrators, animators and web developers. It advocates for quality working conditions, hosts educational and social events, and offers business resources for members.
• International Council of Design: Originally founded as the International Council of Graphic Design Associations in 1963, ICoD is the largest organization for professional design entities in the world. The group offers professional educational resources, networking and events.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Becoming a Graphic Designer

Claudia Bueno’s new exhibition spills from the façade of the Hermitage Museum & Gardens in Norfolk, Virginia. “Metaphors of the Heart,” a massive sculpture of wire mesh and colorful light, appears to effortlessly take over the mansion in a whirlwind of arteries, tentacles, twisting vines, and blooms. It is the dynamic showpiece of Claudia Bueno: Echoes of the Heart, which guests first encounter as they walk up the driveway of the 1908 estate.

Bueno’s first museum exhibition explores the heart-brain connection to promote togetherness and a sense of belonging. The artist’s commitment to healing and inner growth is reflected in her mystical, immersive environments and in her collaboration with world music healer and musician Poranguí, who helped to create original soundscapes for each space.

Claudia Bueno, “The Mother Heart” (2023)

Visitors continue their journey into Bueno’s “heart” by entering “Snake Tunnel,” a covered ramp of glowing sculptural scales that Bueno likens to an artery, where they metaphorically shed and prepare for the transition into the museum’s interior. As viewers step inside, “The Mother Heart” appears with its suspended, undulating arms that colorfully alight in choreography to one of Poranguí’s sonic, ancestral tracks.

Upstairs, guests are invited to participate in an intimate, sacred experience as they explore “The Heart Temple,” a collection of eight handmade altars inspired by interviews with 50 volunteers ranging from ages five to 80. Each altar contains a dreamlike, storybook diorama sparked by these discussions and devoted to themes of opening, closing, longing, belonging, innocence, challenges, seasons, and the somatic.

Claudia Bueno, “Pulsating Heart Portal” (detail) (2023). Photo by Adolfo Bueno

In a second gallery, “Pulsating Heart Portal” builds on the artist’s Meow Wolf Omega Mart series with a new portal created for the Hermitage. The piece features 10 layers of intricate line drawings on glass that appear to contract and expand in concert with exhilarating sound and light. Rooted by the heart at its center, the design recalls symbols found throughout the exhibition including blooms, snakes, and arteries.

In the final space, guests are invited to pause for reflection and connect with their own hearts. A letter-writing station invites them to freely compose and add their offering to a “collective heart” on the gallery walls. The result of this unexpected journey is a much-needed pause from the noise of the outside world and a return to our most essential, emotional selves.

Claudia Bueno: Echoes of the Heart runs through October 8 at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens in Norfolk, Virginia, and is free to the public.

Exhibition collaborators include Natalie Connell, Ben Timby, Mads Christensen, Adolfo Bueno, Patricia Bueno, Brittany Mattrella, Celia Lopez, Porangui, Beau Turner, Cristina Fletcher, Jon Brashears, and Tabatha Anger.

For more information, visit thehermitagemuseum.org.

Find more of Bueno’s work on her website and Instagram.

Claudia Bueno, “Metaphors of the Heart” (2023)

Claudia Bueno, “The Mother Heart” (2023)

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Claudia Bueno Transforms the Hermitage Museum Into an Electrifying, Interactive Heart appeared first on Colossal.

Throughout 17th and 18th centuries, Europe’s upper classes entered an era of unprecedented prosperity due to exploding commerce and trade. The wealthy sought to express their status, and portraiture, which had previously been exclusive to royalty, became the perfect indicator of social rank. In England, these paintings became known as Grand Manner works, and the Dutch school counted well-known names like Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, and Frans Hals among its cohort, still captivating us today at sellout exhibitions. For German artist Volker Hermes, this era of art history provides an endless source of inspiration.

Digital photocollages (previously) playfully reimagine the original sitters in Hermes’ ongoing Hidden Portraits series. Originally depicted by the likes of Dutch painter Nicolaes Pickenoy or French baroque artist Georges de La Tour, the subjects in Hermes’ iterations are overwhelmed by their own garments to the point of absurdity. Brocade masks cover one Elizabethan subject’s eyes, luxuriant robes extend all the way up to foreheads, and lace ruffs engulf the wearers’ faces.

Hermes is drawn to specific characteristics in the original paintings, such as ribbons, which “bring historical images into motion,” he tells Colossal. “At the moment, I’m dealing a lot with Rococo, which is currently getting a lot of attention, after being considered kitsch for a long time.” Depictions of masculinity throughout history have also emerged as a new theme. “I would like to draw attention once again to antiquated forms of masculinity, which actually seemed to be outdated, but are currently becoming—unfortunately—attractive again for many men,” he says.

Through July 8, you can visit Hermes’ solo exhibition Ruff Hood at James Freeman Gallery in London. He will also have work in the group exhibition Rococo Madness! at the National Museum in Wroclaw, Poland, from July 14 through January 14, 2024. Find more on the artist’s website and Instagram.

“Hidden English School” (2023)

“Hidden Catena” (2021)

“Hidden Anonymous (Pourbus IV)” (2021)

“Hidden de la Tour VIII” (2022)

“Hidden Nattier VI” (2023)

“Hidden Anglo-Dutch School” (2023)

“Hidden Pickenoy II” (2023)

“Hidden Singleton Copley VII” (2023)

“Hidden Siriès Cerroti” (2022)

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Overly Grand Manners: Volker Hermes Exaggerates Historical Portraits with Ostentatious Absurdity appeared first on Colossal.

Wrexham’s Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are part of a new investment group that is taking a 24% equity stake in Formula One outfit Alpine, the team’s parent company, Renault, announced on Monday.

The investment group also includes Otro Capital and RedBird Capital Partners. As well as Reynolds and McElhenney, fellow actor Michael B. Jordan is a co-investor in Maximum Effort Investments – led by the “Deadpool” star – which will bring “expertise” to the new group to boost its media and marketing strategy, according to Laurent Rossi, CEO of Alpine.

The team announced that the deal will see $218 million (€200 million) injected into the British-based team, with the statement saying Alpine is now valued at $900 million.

The investment will “accelerate Alpine’s growth plans and sporting ambitions in F1,” according to the statement.

Alpine are currently fifth in this year’s F1 constructors’ championship.

“This association is an important step to enhance our performance at all levels,” said Rossi.

“First, Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners and Maximum Effort Investments, as international players with strong track record in the sports industry, will bring their recognized expertise to boost our media and marketing strategy, essential to support our sporting performance over the long term.

“Second, the incremental revenue generated will in turn be reinvested in the team, in order to further accelerate our ‘Mountain Climber’ plan, aimed at catching up with top teams in terms of state-of-the-art facilities and equipment,” added Rossi.

Alpine’s ‘Mountain Climber’ plan is the team’s schedule to be contesting for championship titles within the space of 100 races, starting in 2022.

The group of investors have prior experience of working in sports. RedBird has been involved with the Fenway Sports Group – the owners of Premier League team Liverpool and Major League Baseball giants, the Boston Red Sox – as well as the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL and Toulouse in French football. RedBird also bought Italian soccer giants AC Milan for $1.2 billion last year.

Reynolds and McElhenney are the co-owners of Welsh soccer side, Wrexham. Since taking over the club in 2021, Wrexham has become a subject of global interest.

As well as a hit Disney+ documentary, the club secured promotion to the Football League in April, ending a 15-year stay in non-league football.

The statement says Reynolds and McElhenney’s Maximum Effort Investments will provide “successful sports and media experience and operational expertise in building high-growth companies.”