School of Media Arts and Design
Roland Dille Center for the Arts 116, (218) 477-2126
Chair: Kyja Kristjansson-Nelson
Faculty: Anthony Adah,Tom Anstadt, Tom Brandau, Don Clark, Trista Conzemius, Meghan Duda, Alexandria Fogarty, Raymond Rea, Al Sheets
The School of Media Arts and Design offers majors in Animation, Film Production, Film Studies, Graphic Communications, and Graphic Design. Minors offered are in Film History and Criticism, Film Production, Graphic Communications, and Media Arts.
The faculty and students of the School of Media Arts and Design are linked together by a common focus on the creation and analysis of messages that powerfully affect their chosen audience. We provide a challenging, contemporary, relevant curriculum within the context of the Liberal Arts that prepares our graduates to become contributing and ethical citizens in a diverse, global community. We promote creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong discovery through courses that integrate theory and history with practice and application.
Animation
The B.A. degree in Animation provides a broad range of classes that focus on both traditional and contemporary animation techniques, including the theory, practice, and aesthetics of motion image creation, image sequencing, and frame manipulation. Students are introduced to filmic systems, motion image history and theory, media arts practices, as well as a range of software, hardware, practical tools and techniques.
Course projects and lectures focus on stop motion, rotoscoping, pixilation, technical graphics, motion graphics, 3D modeling, abstract and experimental animation, animation for live performance, installation, interactive and new media environments.
Graduates may find employment with animation studios, video production houses, television stations, multimedia, web, and advertising agencies, as well as data visualization markets in science, medical, and business fields.
Film
The School of Media Arts and Design offers a B.A. degree in Film Production, as well as a B.A. degree in Film Studies. These majors are designed for students who wish to work in some aspect of the film industry as well as those who are interested in the academic study of film.
The Film Studies major focuses on the theoretical and historical analysis of cinema as it relates to various genres, directors, and other topical studies. Emphasis is placed in visual and critical analysis, media literacy, curating, festival programming and critical writing skills. Students are encouraged to build a writing portfolio and to publically present academic work at the Student Academic Conference, as well as professional conferences.
The Film Production major gives students the opportunity to get hands-on experience in directing, producing, cinematography, sound and picture editing, sound recording, and screenwriting. Production classes incorporate the traditional format of 16mm film, HD video and new digital technologies into the curriculum. Abstract motion image creation, experimental practices, installation, documentary and non-fiction practices, as well as narrative filmmaking are all taught within the major. Students will build a portfolio of work from freshman through senior year.
Graduates of our program have gone on to work for major galleries, film festivals, post-production houses, trailer and special effects houses, television networks, independent feature film production, and freelance positions in all departments of production. Additionally, our students have gone on to some of the top graduate schools in North America.
Student Learning Outcomes (Film Production and Film Studies)
- Students will utilize three phases (preproduction/production/postproduction) of production preparation in the creation of film and video projects.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of film history, production aesthetics and theory.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of basic filmmaking practices and techniques. These include: specialized language use, cinematography principles, lighting and sound elements, editing and directing concepts.
- Students will examine, analyze, and articulate conclusions as to the historical/critical values inherent in film text materials.
- Students will integrate evaluation, theory and production/research skills in the creation of a capstone project for public presentation.
Graphic Communications
The B.A. degree in Graphic Communications educates students in many areas of the graphics industry, including interactive multimedia, 3D graphics, and digital design and production. The degree program provides experiences in computer graphics, multimedia, photography, printing, advertising, graphic design, motion graphics, and television.
Courses train students in the technologies and principles necessary to design graphics, layout images, manipulate and enhance images, prepare projects for offset lithographic press, use digital prepress techniques, create multimedia projects, design websites, front end coding and scripting, as well as produce technical graphics, motion graphics, 3D modeling and animation. Projects are prepared from concept to production.
Graduates work in advertising agencies, web design firms, newspaper and magazine companies, printing companies, in-house corporations, video and television production, television stations, as well as music and multimedia production agencies.
Declaring a Graphic Communications Major
As a part of declaring a Graphic Communications major, students must first complete the Pre-Graphic Communications program (see GCOM Handbook on website). Once completed, students must apply for admission to the Graphic Communications program.
Graduation Requirements for a Graphic Communications Major
To graduate with a B.A. degree in Graphic Communications, students must complete ALL of the courses in the major with a “C” or above and have a GCOM major GPA of at least 3.0. Any course transferred into the major needs to have a grade of C or above.
Student Learning Outcomes (Graphic Communications)
The program of study is designed to prepare a professional graphic communicator who possesses skills and knowledge acquired through education and hands-on experience necessary to secure entry-level employment in one of the following areas: graphic and digital design, multimedia authoring and development, web authoring and development, and computer animation.
- The student will be able to apply oral, written, graphic and effective listening skills.
- The student will be able to implement various forms of manual and computer technology inclusive in the development and production of the visual image. This includes the many industry standard hardware and software applications used by the graphic communications industry.
- The student will be able to apply the methods of the graphic communications industry as described by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), Printing Industries of America (PIA), and Graphic Communications Association (GCA).
- The student will be able to understand the sequence of estimating work. This includes the design and implementation of a company, the establishing of BHR's, equipment selection, workspace design, and job estimation.
- The student will be able to initiate a design project, formulate and communicate the purpose and scope of their project, work independently to complete all aspects of the project within the assigned timeframe, and present and interpret their work to industry practitioners.
Graphic Design
Within the B.F.A. degree in Graphic Design, traditional and computer processes are utilized for in-depth studio investigations into various conceptual and technical applications towards effective visual communication. Investigations deal with one or more of the following: symbols, typography, information design, systems, 3D, visual concepts, and multimedia. Projects may include logos, brochures, CD covers, posters, magazine layouts, packaging, annual reports, and many more issues dealing with visual communications and society. The American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA) and The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) do not recognize the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in art or design as adequate preparation for entry as a graphic design professional. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is considered the professional and specialized degree program for entry into practice. At the BFA level an internship is required.