Virginia Marti College of Art and Design: Develop, Motivate & Accomplish!

At Virginia Marti College, talent is the key word. This college is focused on preparing those savvy individuals for highly successful careers in art and design. All creative minds that have interests in Graphic Design, Fashion Merchandising or Multimedia should check out Virginia Marti College and start forming their very own futures!

The College is located in Lakewood, Ohio with fast and easy access for students coming from any direction. Custom designed back in 1985, the school has a boutique area to showcase art and design work from the alumni, there is also an auditorium for guest lectures from professionals of each of the areas taught in the school. The auditorium is used as well for the fashion and hat shows, faculty art shows, and design contests and for different class sessions.

On the first level the students will find all offices pertinent to administration, faculty lounge, computer lab and graphic arts room. The level below that has 2 photography labs, a lecture room, 2 art studios, sewing and design labs, a student lab and a lounge.

The two-year programs prepare students for entry-level positions in a variety of industries. Each program centers on the needs specific to the careers that students are looking for. Creativity and individualized thinking remain the purpose of the programs.

The Graphics program is for the student who is passionate about visual communication, from a simple illustration up to production of art; willing to put that passion into real life graphics is what the program is all about!

For the student who wants to learn the skills of graphic design and then translate them for the demanding and fluctuating world of technology then this program should be considered! Multimedia design is about having creative skills for an environment that demands innovation, artistry and professionalism! If the student has what it takes to develop story boards for video shoots, bring animations to life or just add the perfect sound and light to a commercial; this is the option for him/her!

The Fashion Merchandising student should be quite ingenious and insightful about this business of fashion so he/she can inspire others! If the student is up to the challenge of developing his/her consumer relationship skills artistically, professionally, and culturally; then the fashion industry awaits him/her. This program is for those who can develop store displays or come up with the latest fashion design to “feed” those hungry customers! If the student thinks he/she can satisfy what the customer wants, fashion wise, this is just the career for him/her! Fashion Merchandising is a program for those students who can relate to fashion in all its sense: from seeking the hottest designs and fashion trends but also understand clothes beyond time, costs and looks!

Students with the ability to put their thoughts into actions and come up with a stunning, innovative style should definitely consider Fashion Design. If you dream with colors, shapes and patterns and want to sketch those wild concepts and then bring them to life through the aid of the latest technology…we have two words for you: Fashion Design! This program shows the student the know-how of fashion production: developing the idea in the designer’s mind, shaping it into paper and finally presentation. Students learn about designing by body measurements. The programs is constantly updated on the latest trends and fashions; the program also teaches how to define emotions so these are shown in their creations; and finally, creating movement, color, and patterns with the right patterns and cuts. Last but not least (and quite crucial in this business too!) students are taught how to be their own judges! This is so they can improve everything they learn and be the best designers in such a hard business!

The student who is able to create a mood and personality for a space and its surroundings should definitely apply for a career of Interior Design. If this student is enthusiastic about a client’s desire to improve or just change their personal spaces and make it appeal to them, then this program is the one! Interior Design’s students will be instructed in developing their creative side but also their professional skills with clients. Students keep up-to-date with fashion, trends, seasonal influences and design technology. Every simple detail is taught: fabric selection, room layout, furniture positioning, etc. Professional skills are very well studied and supported due to the nature of the business of Interior Design. The program instructs on how to conceive a budget for different clients with very different tastes!

Virginia Marti College of Art and Design is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). Virginia Marti Veith is just the type of woman that the College strives to have as part of its graduates.  She definitely knows about clothing appreciation, since she took a trip to Paris, where she spent an entire year learning to make clothing not by pattern, but specific to body measurements. Once that experience was over, Virginia returned to Ohio and opened Virginia Marti Bridal, a home to her personalized style where she created bridal gowns. Her business grew but her search for qualified professionals to help out didn’t, she then realized that talent in the area was underdeveloped.

Due to this need for talent, the Virginia Marti College of Art and Design was created. In its first year, 1966, the school had five students enrolled in the class of Fashion Design. By 1970, the school had opened its first full-time day program, an Associate Degree Program for Fashion Design. In 1979, Fashion Merchandising was added, Interior Design in 1984 and Graphic Design in 1985. Most recently, Virginia Marti College added a Multimedia Design major to the curriculum.

Many years ago, Virginia Marti Veith became aware of the need of a community for the development of specific skills. Today that woman is enrolling students from all over the world (Japan, India, Indonesia, South Africa) in her school. Today those students are becoming the professionals that Virginia Marti Veith needed to hire but couldn’t find. Now, the Virginia Marti College of Art and Design is instructing the professionals for a local and global community!