Curriculum Requirements
M.F.A. in Digital Art and Design – Graphic Design Concentration
Major Requirements
| Required Courses | Credits: | |
| ARTH 601 | History of Art and Technology | 3 |
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History of Art and Technology is a survey course that explores the relationship between emerging technologies and the influence on the artistic perspective. Topics include: The use of tools, new materials, processes of production, mass communication, new products, inventions, and applications that were originally envisioned to be utilized in an industrial society and how they are now applied in the creation of artwork. The course will also cover the impact that artists have made on the technical world, particularly through the disciplines of printmaking, photography, film, and digital visualization. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| ARTB 651 | Critical Thinking and Writing About the Arts | 3 |
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Critical Thinking and Writing about the Arts prepares the student in developing the skills necessary to communicate her/his aesthetic concepts in a formal written paper. The ability to concretely state one's views in a clear and concise manner is an asset when analyzing the complexity of one's subjective realm. Assignments include exercises that focus on critical thinking, appropriate vocabulary, meaning, definitions, clarity and objective perspective. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| ARTH 602 | Aesthetics and Theory | 3 |
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Aesthetics and Theory focuses on the philosophical questions that relate to the creation of the content and context of image-making, performance and interactive artistic experiences. Topics include theoretical outlines that examine the mimetic, expressive, and formalistic categories of the plastic arts. Readings include critical essays, manifestos, and historical perspectives of art theory. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| ARTC 801 | Thesis Orientation | 3 |
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Students will learn to write about the critical evaluation of their project and all supporting research, development, and project plans. The written thesis and supporting documentation will be presented to the faculty for final review. In the thesis exhibition, students will present their work in a professional manner. The exhibition will give candidates the opportunity to display their work and projects for public viewing. After fulfilling all master thesis requirements, the student becomes a candidate for graduation. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1-3-3 |
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| ARTG 605 | Design Thinking and Innovation Process | 3 |
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Design Thinking is the guiding principle of human-centered design with the goal to create innovative solutions. Innovation requires fundamental research and the development of new approaches rather than re-designing or replicating existing concepts. Design Thinking breaks down the design process into five major phases: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. Based on qualitative and quantitative research and brainstorming, students define problems to solve and the goals of each project. It opens new perspectives and approaches, allowing us to make informed decisions throughout ideation and prototyping. While rooted in design, Design Thinking as an analytical and creative process is not limited to designers but many professionals such as managers, engineers, architects, user experience designers, and everyone involved in creative teams approaching complex problems. Classroom Hours- Laboratory and/or Studio Hours-Course Credits: 1-3-3 Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1-3-3 |
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| ARTG 610 | Type and Layout | 3 |
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The course is a study of the elements and principles fundamental to typographic design and sophisticated layout systems utilized in print and electronic publishing. Letterforms legibility, meaning, composition, hierarchy, and digital typesetting are investigated towards the creation of industry-driven projects. Classroom Hours- Laboratory and.or Studio Hours- Course Credits: 1-3-3 Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1-3-3 |
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| ARTH 651 | Contemporary Art | 3 |
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Contemporary Art reviews the current state of the digital art culture. Students engage in research and visit exhibition venues on a regular basis, investing time to study the work of artists and designers and write about them. The learning experience is enriched with classroom visits by creative professionals who are working with innovative technologies. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| ARTC 852 | Thesis Proposal | 3 |
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Prerequisite: Prerequisite: ARTC 801, ARTC 802 or ARTC 803 In this course, all candidates must create a design for a functional thesis that will be accomplished during their course of studies. The Master's Thesis Project is on a subject of the candidate's own design. The Design Proposal must be presented and accepted by the Graduate Faculty Thesis Review Committee before the student proceeds to Graduate Studio. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1-3-3 |
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| ARTG 603 | Production Issues for Print | 3 |
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Through theory and practicum, we will study the various ways that print is produced. We will visit production houses, print studios, and print designers to research and explore all of the difficult ways that print is developed, managed, and executed. We will consider these issues in small, medium and large scales and with a focus on client communication and workflow. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1-3-3 |
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| ARTI 601 | UX Design Foundations | 3 |
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This course introduces students to the fundamentals of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, with an emphasis on strategy, research, personas, information architecture, usability testing, analytics, prototyping, and interactive design for effective and meaningful human-computer interaction to ensure that users are satisfied and that businesses meet their objectives. Projects focus on the structural, informational, and psychological aspects of human-centered design, as well as wireframe, asset design, and user testing. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1-3-3 |
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| ARTB 801 | Business of Creative Industries | 3 |
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This course examines the fundamental issues of running a creative business and the essential skills that every digital artist and designer needs to be equipped with to enter the marketplace. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1-3-3 |
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| ARTB 702 | Graduate Academic Internship | 3 |
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This course aligns practice and theory of academic study and gives students the opportunity to gain relevant experience and develop professional networks. Students may apply skills learned in the classroom in real world settings while developing new ones. This is a repeatable class. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1-3-3 |
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| ARTB 751 | Professional Critiques | 2 |
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Graduate students attend lectures of visiting artists/designers/animators, then arrange to meet individually with the visiting professionals for critiques of their thesis projects in progress. Results of these critiques are discussed in depth with thesis advisors. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 2-0-2 |
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| ARTU 862 | Thesis Production I | 4 |
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Prerequisite: Prerequisites: ARTC 851 or ARTC 852 or ARTC 853 In this course, all thesis candidates must develop and execute their Thesis Project. NYIT's academic and research facilities function as the studio for the student allowing for the creation and actualization of innovative digital projects. Faculty guide the student through the production process and aid in planning, development and creation of the thesis project. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1-3-4 |
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| ARTU 872 | Thesis Production II | 4 |
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Prerequisite: Prerequisite: ARTC 851 In this course, students will continue work on the production of all of the aspects of their Thesis Project, as defined in the Thesis Proposal approved by the faculty. Students will work independently, and will meet regularly and individually with their professor Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 1-3-3 |
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| ARTC 871 | Thesis Paper and Exhibition | 2 |
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Students will learn to write a critical evaluation of their project. Students must create a concise written thesis describing the conceptual basis of their project and include all supporting research,development, and project plans. The written thesis will be of adequate length to fully describe and represent the thesis project, (suggested length is I 0 - 25 pages). The written thesis and supporting documentation must be submitted in a professional manner in both archival and digital formats for publication, presentation and distribution including the Internet. Thesis candidates must formally present their artwork in a professional manner at various stages for review. All final Master of Fine Arts thesis projects will be fully documented in a thesis project package and submitted in both digital and archival publishable formats. All submitted work will be presentation ready . All candidates must give a final oral presentation of their work to the Graduate Faculty Thesis Review Committee, faculty and students. All candidates must participate in a Master's Thesis Exhibition. The exhibition will give candidates the opportunity to display their work and projects for public viewing. Upon acceptance of all requirements by The Graduate Faculty Thesis Review Committee the student becomes a candidate for graduation. Classroom Hours- and/or Studio Hours- Course Credits 2-0-2 |
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| Total: 48 Credits | ||
| Elective Options | Credits: | |
| Total: 12 Credits | ||
| Any graduate-level course beginning with ART_ may serve as an elective option. Please consult with an advisor in choosing electives. | ||
| Total Required Credits = 60 |