Ariel Jarman (n茅e Cowen) wanted to change careers and didn鈥檛 know where to begin. So she started researching her options through programs in 极乐禁地e.
鈥淚 found the M.A. in Integrated Design program at The 极乐禁地 and I thought, this is it. I didn鈥檛 even know this was what I was looking for, but this was what I was looking for. I started that program in 2017.鈥�
Jarman would later shift into the MFA in Integrated Design program. This path would still help her develop design skills and additionally create more career options for her, such as teaching.
During her time at UBalt, she moved and started a family, but always found the support she needed was available to her. She graduated with her MFA in May 2023.
鈥淭here鈥檚 not a dollar figure that you can put on that to say, this is the program, this was worthwhile,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his is something that facilitated my being a successful student, and I really can鈥檛 say that that would have been the case at any other institution. I feel so fortunate to have been in this program with these faculty at the University of 极乐禁地e.鈥�
Before she could finish her degree, Jarman had to complete a thesis that she focused on three female poster designers.
The idea of the thesis was daunting at first. She wasn鈥檛 sure where to begin, but found support from her program director, Megan Rhee. Rhee earned her MFA from UBalt鈥檚 Integrated Design program and now oversees both the MFA and M.A. programs.
Jarman decided to lean into her interest in poster design.
鈥淚鈥檝e always loved posters,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e always really been drawn to the WPA posters. The Works Progress Administration posters that were produced were just very unique and visually distinct.鈥�
Jarman focused her thesis on three designers: Vera Bock, Katherine Milhous and Dorothy Waugh. She researched their work and histories, and built an exhibit that was on temporary display in Robert L. Bogomolny Library鈥檚 gallery space. She titled her thesis 鈥淯ntold.鈥�
Learning the history of American design was one thing, but little was available about the artists themselves. Jarman wanted to spotlight their work.
鈥淲omen, as most people are aware, are often left out of the historical record for their contributions, and unfortunately, design is no different,鈥� she said. 鈥� 鈥淢aking sure that those stories are still remembered and told is really important.鈥�
Jarman said the entire experience, from her first classes in the M.A. program to finalizing her thesis exhibit, has prepared her for a myriad of opportunities in design.
鈥淭he benefit of the program is that they give you all of the tools that you need to be successful in terms of the foundation in design, but also the real-world application of those skills,鈥� she said. 鈥� 鈥淭his degree has made me feel confident, especially as I did not come from a design background, to have the skill set I need to either be a practitioner or an educator in design. And that feels really fortunate.鈥�