Undergraduate Program in Art & Technology, Department
of Art
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art and Technology is a creative art degree that offers students hands-on experience with state-of-the-art digital media technologies and formats. The program is focused on conceptualization as the driving force for creative experimentation with digital media and advanced technologies. New media technologies are powerful tools of expression and we seek to expose our undergraduates to a wide array of creative and conceptual approaches to understanding a critical use of technology that acknowledges history and theory while also defining what is next at the intersection of technology, art and the sciences.
Courses in digital imaging, web art, new media, interactive installation, 3D modeling, experimental computer animation, holography and video art are designed to provide students with digital literacy skills and to foster each student’s developing artistic voice. Courses in professional practices and artistic production culminate in a final exhibition produced by each student to showcase their creative work.
Students begin their studies with a set of foundation courses focused on the fundamental skills in art such as concept development, visual literacy, drawing from observation, composition in two and three dimensions, as well as in time-based media. Simultaneously, students are engaged in the university general education courses, which help to build writing skills, quantitative and logical skills, and an understanding of the natural and social sciences.
Once students have developed a strong portfolio of foundation-level work they are ready to apply to officially enter the Art Department, via the Bachelor of Arts program (BA) portfolio review. This generally occurs at the end of the freshman year. Upon passing this review, students choose from a menu of core courses in preparation for their portfolio application to the Art & Technology BFA. This is a competitive program that requires students to have developed a portfolio of strong, conceptually-driven artwork.
Students graduating with a BFA in Art & Technology are prepared to become practicing artists or to enter into a wide variety of creative, education and business-related fields. Past BFA students are employed in multimedia companies, have started their own companies, are employed as teachers in private schools and museums, as video producers and content creators.
The BFA degree is recommended for students interested in going on to graduate school for a media arts related degree that require a portfolio of creative work. Students graduating with a BFA degree in Art and Technology have been accepted into highly competitive, national and international programs at institutions such as, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Bauhaus, Germany, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of the Visual Arts in New York (SVA) and New York University (NYU).
There is also an undergraduate Minor in Studio Art, which provides students an opportunity to integrate creative and artistic practice with other academic or research pursuits. Additionally, a newly-created interdisciplinary Video Arts Minor is offered through the College of the Arts and is open to any student wishing to expand their practice with video courses across two or more departments. This is open to Art and Tech majors, too! (info sheet)
Advising
Freshman students receive academic advising in the College of the Arts Advising Office, room 050 Denney Hall. Advising appointments can easily be made by phone: 614 292-2244. Walk-in appointments are sometimes possible, based on the availability of advisors. Advising questions that can be answered by email can be directed to: Dennis Thompson <thompson.12@osu.edu> For specific questions about the Art and Technology program and courses contact Ken Rinaldo <rinaldo.2@osu.edu> Associate Professor of Art in Art & Technology.
Undergraduate Admissions and Information
New Student Admissions web page
On-line services for students - register for classes, check course bulletin and schedules, download your advising report and view your grades online.
Download the Art & Technology BFA checksheet of courses
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JOIN * the student Art and Tech Society
3D model, by Ross Baldwin
Student electronic demonstrations
Circuitous Bucketry, by Chris Howard
animation, by Michael Hiatt
Student working in the New Media Lab
