Program Overview:
The Bachelor of Science in Design Media Arts delivers a unique body of knowledge that is built on a solid foundation in art and design and is imparted in a course of study that emphasizes intellectual investigation, concept development, critical dialogue, and innovative creation of visual, oral, and written communications for digital media platforms.
This interdisciplinary professional degree is rooted in the convergence of contemporary and historical perspectives in art and design studio practice and language and communications. Students will benefit from curricular connections that foreground critical analysis and creative thinking, media writing, theory and production techniques. The curriculum focuses on preparing students to make meaningful creative visual content, messages and narratives using integrated communications.
Essential study in composition, design, form, color, space, motion, and typography provide the framework for digital courses in graphic, sequential, interaction, and user experience design; and, photography. Course work in the fundamentals of mass media, research and writing, public relations and video production provide students with a strategic path that encourages opportunities to interconnect visual images, words and ideas for evolving digital media applications.
Mission Statements
The Center for Art & Design Mission Statement
Visual, creative, cultural, and design literacy are fundamental to a liberal arts education and necessary for navigating competitive professional environments. The Center for Art & Design promotes these essential literacies through disciplined studio and research practices, intellectual challenge, and interdisciplinary exchange. The faculty are committed to each student’s ability to see aesthetically, act creatively, think critically, and make lasting contributions as innovative artists, designers, educators, scholars, and leaders.
The Center for Art & Design aims to:
• foster each student’s personal voice and informed visual education.
• prepare students for careers in the fields of art and graphic design by promoting opportunities for creativity, critical thinking and innovative problem solving.
• inspire students to pursue intellectual opportunities in the world of art and design and become life-long learners and leaders in their fields.
The Department of Communications Mission Statement
The Department of Communications develops undergraduate students who are critical thinkers, evaluators, and ethical producers of media content in journalism, public relations and advertising and for other visual and written communication in classroom and professional settings.
Department of Communications Goals
Students will produce professional-level work for target audiences by:
- honoring the codes of ethics guiding the discipline;
- using effective verbal and/or nonverbal communication; and,
- demonstrating an understanding of histories, theories, concepts, models, and/or practices
Program Goals
Bachelor of Science in Design Media Arts Program Goals
Students who successfully complete the Bachelor of Science in Design Media Arts will be able to:
- Demonstrate a diverse range of communication skills in the creation of art, design and integrated broad-based media that is an effective combination of research, concept development, process, writing, visual imaging, technology, and craft.
- Develop business practices to function productively as a member of a professional team within an organized collaborative environment in order to create audience-centered objects and messages and digital-based visual communications.
- Create a portfolio of work that demonstrates the ability to synthesize and produce intellectual, creative, visual, and digital content for developed multi-media platforms that meet professional standards within the graphic, digital, interactive design and communications fields.
Sequence of Courses
The eight-semester sequence of courses in digital, graphic, motion, interaction, and user experience design content is coupled with digital photography, art, and art history courses offered by The Center for Art and Design. This aspect of the curriculum is coordinated with courses in writing, media studies, public relations, advertising, new media and video production offered in the Department of Communications. This course of study both engages innovative critical thinkers to creatively and proficiently develop and connect content areas across a range of digital media platforms within current and emerging art and design fields; and, supports the following learning outcomes.
Learning Outcomes for Bachelor of Science in Design Media Arts
Students who successfully complete the Bachelor of Science in Design Media Arts will demonstrate the following:
- a developed knowledge of concepts related to visual, spatial, sound, motion, interactive and temporal elements of digital technology in order to create content for design, art, and digital media-based work;
- a thorough understanding of narrative and other language and communication structures in order to organize content in time-based or interactive media;
- an ability to understand characteristics of various technologies; their capabilities for expression; and, their potential to influence visual communication;
- a knowledge of design thinking and development of digitally-based strategies that include storyboarding and concept mapping;
- the ability to think, speak, and write clearly and effectively and to communicate with precision, cogency, and rhetorical force;
- technical proficiency with digital video cameras, digital single lens reflex cameras, digital editing systems and content management systems;
- familiarity with the application of public relations tools in visual and digital communications;
- an understanding and ability to form a respectful analysis and synthesis of various aspects of human interaction within the context of digital technology and communication;
- an informed consideration and understanding of content development and its usefulness, effectiveness and ability to inform audience-centered visual and digital communications;
- a fundamental knowledge of the history, theory and criticism of design, media, arts, digital imagery and film;
- a professional ability to develop business practices and demonstrate collaborative teamwork and effective inter-disciplinary communication; and,
- a synthesis of professional visual and multi-media communication skills in order to develop content and produce professional quality digital media productions.
Program Contacts:
Cailin Brown, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Communications
Email: brownc@strose.edu
Kristine Tolmie
Chair, The Center for Art & Design
Email: tolmiek@strose.edu
Marian Chilson
Undergraduate Admissions Liaison for Art
Email: chilsonm@strose.edu
Heidi Tyler
The Center for Art & Design Coordinator
Email: tylerh@strose.edu
Program Webpage: Design Media Arts, BS
Program Requirements:
Application Process
In addition to The College of Saint Rose academic admissions requirements, all applicants to programs offered by The Center for Art & Design are required to submit a portfolio as part of the admission materials. All art applicants (Design Media Arts, Graphic Design, and Studio Art) should follow the same format when preparing their portfolio.
Portfolio Preparation Guidelines
Yes. You need a portfolio.
Your portfolio says a lot about who you are, what interests you and how you see the world.
Select works that focus on your progress and what’s important to you. Think of your portfolio as an opportunity to share your vision with like-minded creatives.
Include work that demonstrates your confidence! You will want to: showcase your ability to draw from observation; highlight the star pieces that show you at your best; and, include works that demonstrate your willingness to take risks, engage in the art-making process and step out of your comfort zone.
Your portfolio should include the following:
15 – 20 works total
Work should be recent (created within a two-year window) and relevant to your interests!
5 drawings from direct observation
Drawing from life is key in assessing how you see, interpret relationships and experience the world. For example, drawings should demonstrate your approach to composition, mark making and quality of light. Still life, self-portrait, interior space and landscape can be explored. Consider how you demonstrate your understanding of value in these pieces. These five drawings should not be drawn from photographic references or include anime.
Remember, it’s not what you choose to draw but how you choose to approach your subject that counts.
10 – 15 additional works
Follow the advice above and showcase your unique vision and abilities. Consider including a series of works exploring the same idea in a variety of media. Get comfortable with the experience of confidently assessing the results of your explorations and be prepared to talk about your ideas and process during your review. To get ready, ask yourself: What was your initial inspiration? How did you approach making the work? Are you satisfied with the results? What did you learn in the process?
Your sketchbook or journal is your space to explore and create! Include it as a supplement to your portfolio since it can provide real insight into what motivates you.
Presentation
Keep work neat and flat, with a slip-sheet between each piece. Matting, mounting, or framing is unnecessary and adds bulk to your portfolio. Larger works, three-dimensional and digital work can be presented in digital or photo documentation. When documenting work be sure that the images are clear and lighting is beneficial to the work.
Your Portfolio Review: When, Where and How?
On-Campus
Register on line for your review on one of our Center for Art & Design Portfolio Review Days. Have an individual review, tour our facilities, see current work and meet faculty and students.
Or schedule a weekday portfolio review by calling the Art Office at 518-485-3900.
On the Road
For a comprehensive list including National and Regional Portfolio Review dates go to https://www.strose.edu/academics/schools/school-of-arts-humanities/center-for-art-design/portfolio-review-calendar/
Online
We work with the online portfolio admissions site SlideRoom:
First year students
https://strose.slideroom.com
Transfer students
https://strose.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/47092
Please include in the notes section the title, size, media, date completed and comments for each work.
By Mail
Digital submissions are also acceptable. Please include an inventory with the title, size, media, date completed and comments for each work. DO NOT send original artwork.
Attn: The Center for Art & Design
The College of Saint Rose
432 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
A Note for Transfer Students
The Center for Art & Design and the Department of Communications welcome transfer students; however, all transfer credits in art are subject to portfolio review. Those students who have not completed the equivalent of the first two years of a Saint Rose degree program before transferring may not be able to complete the degree in two years.
For purposes of evaluation and placement, transfer students seeking credit for a studio course taken at another institution will need to include additional work to represent the content covered in each class for which the student is applying for transfer credit.
Transfer students should consult The College of Saint Rose Transfer Equivalency Database at: www.strose.edu/officesandresources/registrar/transferequivalency to review transfer equivalency agreements between their former institution and The College of Saint Rose.
Design Media Arts Requirements (84 credits):
Major Requirements (66 credits):
Students must receive a C or better in all required art, design, communications, and art history courses in order to meet the prerequisite for the next level and to advance in the program.
Required Courses in Art, Design, and Film/Video History/Theory (18 credits):
Internship/Field Experience/Service:
A collective capstone class – The Agency – highlights the program outcomes through professional level project development for clients. The completion of a comprehensive portfolio demonstrates evidence of a highly-skilled professional communicator who has engaged in classroom, studio and practical experiences to develop and connect a strong aesthetic sensibility and artistic vision with an appreciation for design thinking, and mastery of digital media and production techniques for broad audiences.
Required Course:
Culminating Academic Experience:
Required Course:
| ART 496 | Senior Capstone:Exhibit & Port | 0 or 1 |
Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:
This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 122 overall credits for this degree. It should be used along with the Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with the faculty advisor(s). It is meant as a guide to help in scheduling. Please note that several ART courses are part of a sequence that must be followed. The faculty advisor(s) will help make any necessary adjustments during advisement.
Year 1: Spring requirements should be supplemented with 6 credits of Liberal Education courses.
Fall (14 credits)
ART 100 coLAB: Foundations of Art & Design Seminar (1 cr)
ART 101 Intro. to Art & Design (0 cr)
ART 113 Drawing 1 (3 cr)
ART 110 Two-D Concepts (3 cr)
ENG 105 Expos. Writing, Oral Communications, and Research (4 cr)
COM 105 Introduction to Mass Media (3 cr)
Spring (16 credits)
ART 111 Color Theory + Practice (3 cr)
ART 112 Three-D Concepts (3 cr)
AHI 208 Intro. to Art History & Visual Literacy (4 cr)
Year 2: Spring requirements should be supplemented with 5 credits of Liberal Education courses.
Fall (17 credits)
ART 239 Graphic Design 1 (3 cr) *
ART 235 Sequential Design (3 cr) *
COM 205 Fundamentals of Advertising (3 cr)
COM 217 Multimedia Production (4 cr)
AHI 247 History of Modern Art (4 cr)
Spring (17 credits)
Graphic Design 2 (3 cr) *
ART 233 Photography 2 (3 cr)
ART 252 Typography 1 (3 cr) *
COM 227 Fundamentals of Strategic Public Relations (3 cr)
Year 3: Fall requirements should be supplemented with 4 credits of Liberal Education courses. Spring requirements should be supplemented with 7 Liberal Education credits.
Fall (16 credits)
ART 340 Image as Narrative (3 cr)
ART 352 Typography 2 (3 cr) *
ART 356 Interaction Design (3 cr) *
COM 314 Creative Copywriting in Advertising (3 cr)
Spring (14 credits)
ART 466 User Experience Design (3 cr) *
COM 373 PR & Advertising Copywriting & Design (4 cr)
ART 301 Junior Review (0)
Year 4: Fall requirements should be supplemented with 6 credits of Liberal Education courses. Spring requirements should be supplemented with 6 Liberal Education courses.
Fall (14 credits)
AHI 344 Art since 1945 (4 cr)
COM 319 Video for Field & Studio (4 cr)
Spring (14 credits)
COM 417 Advanced Media Production & Digital Video (4 cr)
ART 471 or COM 471 The Agency / Account Management in The Agency
(4 cr)
ART 496 Senior Capstone (0 or 1 cr)
NOTE: * Graphic Design courses are required to be taken in the sequence shown.
Professional Accreditation:
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
The Center for Art & Design at The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Programs offered by The College of Saint Rose for the preparation of all school professionals, leading to initial and advanced certifications, are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.ncate.org/
New York State Education Department (NYSED)
The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org/
Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:
Design Media Arts graduates will possess the requisite skills to advance into professional opportunities in career areas that demand highly skilled communicators who are proficient at developing strong concepts and messages, creating visual art and design content, and connecting different perspectives within a range of communication media that use digital imagery and technology as the major media.
Admissions and Financial Aid Information:
The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of First-Year applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete application as early as October. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.
What Makes an Application Complete
- Online or Paper application (fee waived for all applicants!)
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
- SAT or ACT scores (See Test Optional FAQ's)
- Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
- Essay or Graded Paper
- Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
- Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.
- Music applicants are required to complete an audition.
Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)
Scholarships and Financial Aid
See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.
The Bottom Line
The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we award more than $34 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.
Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.
More about Financial Aid
Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make your education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.
The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.
Additional Art Admissions Information:
Portfolio Preparation Guidelines
Yes. You need a portfolio.
Your portfolio says a lot about who you are, what interests you and how you see the world.
Select works that focus on your progress and what’s important to you. Think of your portfolio as an opportunity to share your vision with like-minded creatives.
Include work that demonstrates your confidence! You will want to: showcase your ability to draw from observation; highlight the star pieces that show you at your best; and, include works that demonstrate your willingness to take risks, engage in the art-making process and step out of your comfort zone.
Your portfolio should include the following:
15 – 20 works total
Work should be recent (created within a two-year window) and relevant to your interests!
5 drawings from direct observation
Drawing from life is key in assessing how you see, interpret relationships and experience the world. For example, drawings should demonstrate your approach to composition, mark making and quality of light. Still life, self-portrait, interior space and landscape can be explored. Consider how you demonstrate your understanding of value in these pieces. These five drawings should not be drawn from photographic references or include anime.
Remember, it’s not what you choose to draw but how you choose to approach your subject that counts.
10 – 15 additional works
Follow the advice above and showcase your unique vision and abilities. Consider including a series of works exploring the same idea in a variety of media. Get comfortable with the experience of confidently assessing the results of your explorations and be prepared to talk about your ideas and process during your review. To get ready, ask yourself: What was your initial inspiration? How did you approach making the work? Are you satisfied with the results? What did you learn in the process?
Your sketchbook or journal is your space to explore and create! Include it as a supplement to your portfolio since it can provide real insight into what motivates you.
Presentation
Keep work neat and flat, with a slip-sheet between each piece. Matting, mounting, or framing is unnecessary and adds bulk to your portfolio. Larger works, three-dimensional and digital work can be presented in digital or photo documentation. When documenting work be sure that the images are clear and lighting is beneficial to the work.
Your Portfolio Review: When, Where and How?
On-Campus
Register on line for your review on one of our Center for Art & Design Portfolio Review Days. Have an individual review, tour our facilities, see current work and meet faculty and students.
Or schedule a weekday portfolio review by calling the Art Office at 518-485-3900.
On the Road
For a comprehensive list including National and Regional Portfolio Review dates go to https://www.strose.edu/academics/schools/school-of-arts-humanities/center-for-art-design/portfolio-review-calendar/
Online
We work with the online portfolio admissions site SlideRoom:
First year students
https://strose.slideroom.com
Transfer students
https://strose.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/47092
Please include in the notes section the title, size, media, date completed and comments for each work.
By Mail
Digital submissions are also acceptable. Please include an inventory with the title, size, media, date completed and comments for each work. DO NOT send original artwork.
Attn: The Center for Art & Design
The College of Saint Rose
432 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
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