Mission

The Design Arts program seeks to provide a unique Bachelor of Arts pre-professional degree program, integrated with a broad program of general studies, with emphases in Product Design, Computer Imaging and Graphic Design. The program has a strong digital and technological focus; hence the curriculum must have the flexibility to evolve with rapid technological change, while retaining the core values of a visual art and liberal studies education.

Description

Design Arts is a multidisciplinary program emphasizing the intersection of design with art, architecture, applied art, industrial art, and all their related fields. Therefore, the programmatic emphasis is on establishing a broad spectrum of inter-related courses within the major so as to address the myriad issues confronting the modern designer. The Design Arts program engages undergraduate liberal arts, business and engineering students in the creation of visual communication, art and design using digital and advanced technologies.

Curriculum

The major is designed to provide a firm foundation in traditional studio work. The foundation courses enhance all areas of the design concentration and provide a common background of experience and knowledge. Studio foundation and theory courses develop competence in applying the elements and principles of visual organization in two and three dimensional work, color theory, drawing, and digital technologies. The program also contains a wide range of intellectual bases in theory and history in order to afford each individual student a broad perspective.

Concentration courses introduce students to the fields of design (graphic, product, and computer generated). Students interested in pursuing a major will be prepared to advance to graduate training or entry level positions in design. In addition to a General Studies option, which offers a broad topical approach to the expansive field of design, students may choose one of three more focused concentrations. (1) Graphic Design will provide students with tools and experiences suitable for a wide range of fields including the printing industry, web based media, exhibition design, publishing, and advertising, or they may enter graduate programs and pursue MFA degrees. (2) Product Design students study the creation and application of creating objects for use in, for example, industrial applications, art objects, furniture, toys, exhibit and trade design, electronic products, household items, and recreational equipment. The industrial designer works closely with engineers, marketers, and ergonomists to create products. (3) Students studying Digital Imaging will learn the production of computer-generated imagery for the information and entertainment fields. Digital imagists produce digital photography, motion graphics, animation, special effects, and interactive media and create for films, games, and other fields.