PROGRAM DESCRIPTION & GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The Visual Communication and Digital Media Arts (formerly computer graphics art) concentration is one that enables and empowers students for a career in visual communications and media arts. Students who follow this concentration are introduced to opportunities in graphic design, digital art and imaging, and multimedia. By building upon foundation courses, students merge skills in art, technology, and communication. This program leads to the Bachelor's of Arts degree in fine arts with a concentration in VCDMA. Additionally, students from other departments may seek to minor in VCDMA and should develop a track scheme with faculty in VCDMA. The minimum number of semester hours required for the bachelor's degree is 120. Students who choose to concentrate in a particular area must consult with a fine and performing arts faculty advisor.

VCDMA Goals & Objectives:

• To strengthen students' knowledge, demonstrative skill, and application of visual communication, digital art, and the elements and principles of art & design
• To produce students that are highly qualified for various opportunities and careers in visual communication, new media, and the digital arts
• To provide the global community with visual artists that are critical thinkers, problem solvers, as well as cultural conscious designers and producers
• To provide fine arts majors a survey of courses in design, including new media, web/multimedia, installation art, fashion design, and product design
• To assist students in career and future educational pursuits by networking with the professionals in the visual communication and media industry
• To provide students access to state-of-the art design, digital imaging and multimedia technology, as well as the ability to conduct research and participate in collaborative and interdisciplinary projects
• To introduce students to visual and media artists, designers, and especially those of color who have contributed to the field of technology, art/design, and media, and to further introduce contemporary visual artists/designers incorporating art and technology into their creative work and in industry

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The student must officially declare fine arts as a major with a concentration in VCDMA by entering it on his/her initial application for admission or by submitting the Declaration of Major form. Fine arts majors must earn at least a grade of "C" in courses taken in the major or the course must be repeated. Fine arts majors who show evidence of a fundamental weakness in an area of study may be required by the department chair to take additional study work in the deficit area. All students applying for admission to visual communication and digital media arts are required to demonstrate their skills via a portfolio that highlights ten (or more) examples of professional artwork; design, illustration, ceramics, drawing, sculpture, digital art/graphics, photography, and painting. This should be submitted via a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, or through slides. Work should be labeled with title, brief description, medium, and dimensions.

Students must also take the necessary prerequisites carefully read course descriptions and meet with their academic advisor BEFORE registering for any class. The academic advisor must approve all courses before registration.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Students concentrating in VCDMA or art must earn at least a grade of "C" in courses taken in the major. Otherwise the course must be repeated. Students who show evidence of fundamental weakness in an area of will be required by the advisor and/or department chair to take additional course work in that area. Computer graphics art (VCDMA) students are required to present/maintain a comprehensive portfolio of their work for periodic inspection and to participate in all student art exhibitions and faculty reviews in order to:

1. proceed to the junior level
2. for their senior thesis and as part of their requirements for graduation

These reviews and the successful completion of Art 498 Senior Thesis are requirements for graduation. Students are also required to complete an internship or apprenticeship by taking Art 491 Internship in Art and Visual Communication in their respective career field prior to graduation.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

Transfer students are required to present/maintain a comprehensive portfolio of their work prior to acceptance in the department, meet with the academic advisor, and complete a transfer credit evaluation and meeting. Contact the DFPA's office or the registrar's office for more information.

MINOR CONCENTRATION

A minor in VCDMA requires completion of 18 studio hours and 3 semester hours in art history, for total of 21 credit hours. Students seeking to minor must meet with a faculty advisor to design a program based on the students' needs and program requirements. See academic advisor for list of approved courses.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Students pursuing the BA in fine arts must take 12 semester hours of a foreign language. Students are also required to maintain a professional portfolio and have regularly scheduled portfolio reviews with faculty. A final exhibition and/or portfolio review is required to graduate. Students must also successfully pass the English Proficiency Exam. It is recommended that the exam be taken after successful completion of English 101 & 102 and before the end of the junior year.

Transfer students are expected to present a comprehensive portfolio of their work prior to acceptance in the department. Art/VCDMA students are expected to keep a comprehensive portfolio of their work for periodic inspection; to participate in student art exhibitions, and faculty reviews in order to proceed to the junior level and graduation.

MINOR CONCENTRATION PROGRAM

A minor in VCDMA requires completion of 18 studio hours including 3 semester hours in art history. (See art coordinator or advisor for list of approved courses). For more information on the VCDMA program, please contact Prof. T. Melchishua, 301-860-3731, or tmelchishua@bowiestate.edu