Digital Media Arts

Women's College

Overview
Major
Minor
Four-Year Plan
Course Descriptions

Joseph Faura, Coordinator

The digital media arts program of the School of Arts and Sciences offers a major and minor to students in the Women's College. The program provides a solid foundation in technology, a rich creative background in the arts and the communication skills necessary to convey ideas in the digital realm.

The curriculum of the major is interdisciplinary, including courses in art, computer studies and communication arts. As the arts, the world of media, and the business environment are increasingly dependent on digital communication competencies, the digital media arts program will prepare students for positions with these employers.

The graduate in digital media arts will be able to: create digital art to assist individuals and businesses in achieving goals through effective communication; demonstrate the ability to analyze and apply communication theories, skills and best practices; use technology to address visual communication challenges; recognize the moral and ethical issues and concerns related to the interpretation of art and technology; develop an aesthetic sense; and work effectively as an individual and as a member of a corporate creative team.

Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in PHL-320 Aesthetics or PHL-334 Business Ethics to complement their program of study and meet general education requirements.

Students will complete much of their work in the campus digital media lab, equipped with Macintosh computers and software. The campus video, art and photography studios also support instruction in this program.

As the culminating experience in the major, students complete a practicum, which is an intensive, advanced internship. During the spring of senior year, they are placed in an entry-level position in an area business in order to refine their professional competencies as they prepare to begin their careers.

Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all courses taken to fulfill the requirements of the digital media arts major. ART-101 and ART-102 should be taken as early as possible in the student's program of study, ideally concurrent with DMA-101.

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Required Courses for a Major in Digital Media Arts (Credits)

ART-101 Drawing 1 (3)
ART-102 Color and Design (3)
ART-162 Digital Photography (3)
DMA-101 Graphic Design I (3)
DMA-201 Time-Based Media (3)
DMA-360 Animation and Motion Graphics (3)
CST-260 Web Animation (3)
CST-261 Web Page Design (3)
COM-210 Social Media (3)
COM-310 Media Literacy in the Digital Age (3)
DMA-461 Digital Media Practicum (3)

Students select one of the following electives
ART-321 Life Drawing (3)
ART-419 Digital Photography II (3)
COM-313 Digital Media Skills (3)
COM-351 Art of the Film (3)
COM-401 Writing for the Web (3)
CST-295 C++: Object-Oriented Programming (3)
CST-321 JAVA Programming (3)
DMA-253 Graphic Design: Theory and Practice (3)
DMA-351 Graphic Design II (3)
DMA-375 Typography (3)
DMA-411 Topics in Digital Media (3)

Emphasis in Graphic Design

Students desiring an emphasis in graphic design within the digital media arts major take the following three courses in place of the elective above.

DMA-253 Graphic Design: Theory and Practice (3)
DMA-351 Graphic Design II (3)
DMA-375 Typography (3)

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Minor in Digital Media Arts

Students may declare a minor in digital media arts by competing 18 credits in the following courses

DMA-101 Graphic Design I
DMA-201 Time-Based Media
DMA-360-Animation and Motion Graphics

Three additional courses (9 credits), one in art, one in computer studies and one in communication arts, chosen from the approved list of program courses in consultation with the coordinator.

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Four-Year Plan

Sample program of study for the digital media arts major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor. This listing is intended as guide only.

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Course Descriptions

Art, Communication Arts and Computer Studies course descriptions may be found in their respective discipline listings.

DMA-101 GRAPHIC DESIGN I
Emphasizes the principles of two-dimensional design and color theory. Stresses the production of two-dimensional graphics. Students will develop design skills and gain the ability to use vector and raster software (such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop). [3 credits]

DMA-102 CONCEPTS IN DIGITAL MEDIA II: 3-D MODELING AND DESIGN
Introduces fundamental three-dimensional concepts using digital tools. Students will use software to create three-dimensional objects. Students develop three-dimensional problem- solving skills by completing projects on modeling, mapping and lighting. [3 credits]

DMA-201 TIME-BASED MEDIA
Provides experience in the fundamentals of time-based design. Students will create projects that deal with narrative elements, composition, motion, variables and type. Storyboard project planning and software animation will be covered. [3 credits]

DMA-253 GRAPHIC DESIGN, THEORY AND PRACTICE
Considers theory and practice of graphic design. This studio course integrates hand and computer skills. Students explore research techniques and processes. Group discussions suggest solutions to graphic design problems. Formerly ART-253. [3 credits]

DMA-351 GRAPHIC DESIGN II
Advances computerized graphic design skills with an emphasis on Adobe Illustrator. Students learn software-specific skills needed for full color graphic arts and pre-press production. Clear and precise visual communication, problem solving and presentation are stressed. Focus on portfolio development. Formerly ART-351. Prerequisite: DMA-101 (updated; earlier listing incorrectly listed DMA 253) [3 credits]

DMA-360 ANIMATION AND MOTION GRAPHICS
Engages students in a more intensive investigation of animation through the analysis of motion and transformation with photograph, video, illustration, and animation in traditional and digital media, with a focus on Adobe After Effects. Students learn how images and type are choreographed to produce attractive and dynamic motion graphics. Discussions focus on the history of motion graphics, and its importance in film, television and digital media. Topics include design and concept considerations, compositing tools and techniques, interactivity and criteria for output delivery to digital media. Prerequisite: DMA-201. [3 credits]

DMA-375 TYPOGRAPHY
Investigates problem-solving strategies concerned with the selection, organization and presentation of text. Students will enhance digital typesetting skills to effectively present information in print and motion applications. Topics include origins of the alphabet, typeface classifications, abstract communication with letter forms and design with text. Formerly ART-375. [3 credits]

DMA-401 COMPUTER ANIMATION
Engages students in an intensive investigation of animation through the analysis of motion in traditional and digital media. Students apply skills to various anatomical problems to find modeling and rigging solutions for character motion. Major emphasis is placed on proper identification of controls for the end user. [3 credits]

DMA-411 TOPICS IN DIGITAL MEDIA
Surveys current topics of interest within the field of graphic design, video, animation, web and social media. Projects in typography, book design, motion, digital imaging and a variety of other methods will be addressed in different sessions to complete the course portfolio. May be taken more than once on different topics. Prerequisite: will differ depending on topic. [3 credits]

DMA-461 DIGITAL MEDIA PRACTICUM
Structures a professional-level internship that places students in an entry-level position at a high-tech company in the Greater Baltimore area. Students will enroll in the spring semester of senior year and work under close supervision of faculty and the agency sponsor with the intention of gaining in-depth experience for a career in the high-tech area of their choice. [3 credits]

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