Visual Media Option - Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA
Visual Media Option
Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA
Overview
The visual media option allows students to integrate the graphic communications professions of photography, media design, and business. Most visual media students earn a minor in business. This option prepares students for a career as a visual media specialist or other professional positions that have a demand for photographically skilled professionals who can work effectively with graphic designers, print media specialists, multimedia and social media professionals. This option is part of the photographic and imaging arts BFA program.
The visual media curriculum emphasizes photographic proficiency, in both photographic and digital imaging techniques, and has two specialized focuses on media design and business (management and/or marketing). Students also may utilize electives to broaden their interests.
This option is ideal for students who wish to experience various aspects of the graphics industry. Students are strongly encouraged to spend time in internships to strengthen their education and to gain hands-on experience. Upon graduation, students are diversely skilled visual media professionals who are ready to enter an exciting career in photography, media design, business management, marketing (including art directing and project management), social media, or advertising.
Join us for Fall 2023
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling, space-available basis.
Careers and Experiential Learning
Typical Job Titles
| Art Director | Branding Specialist |
| Business Owner and Entrepreneur | Business Strategist |
| Graphic Designer | Photo and Graphics Editor |
| Photographer | Project Manager |
| Social Media Strategist | Web App and Print Designer |
Salary and Career Information for Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA
Cooperative Education and Internships
What’s different about an RIT education? It’s the career experience you gain by completing cooperative education and internships with top companies in every single industry. You’ll earn more than a degree. You’ll gain real-world career experience that sets you apart.
Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. Co-op in the College of Art and Design provides hands-on experience that enables you to apply your artistic capabilities in dynamic professional settings while you make valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.
Visual Media Internships: Students in the visual media option apply for internships with some of the nation’s most respected print and online photographic, graphic design firms, and printing/publishing venues. They work behind the camera or in creative collaboration in a variety of professional photo and multimedia environments and have the opportunity to learn firsthand from photographers, picture editors, art directors, publishers, designers, and other professionals. Students receive assistance from their professors, as well as from the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education, in identifying and applying for internships, which provide real-world work experience and is an invaluable part of students’ educational experience.
Career Opportunities in Visual Media
Visual media graduates go to work as graphic designers, multimedia designers, picture editors, social media and app developers, web designers, and advertising project managers. Recent employers include companies such as Crate and Barrel, Zipcar, Geico, MLB.com, and organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, CURE International, and the Museum of Modern Art.
Creative Industry Day
RIT’s Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education hosts Creative Industry Day, which connects students majoring in art, design, film and animation, photography, and select computing majors with companies, organizations, creative agencies, design firms, and more. You'll be able to network with company representatives and interview directly for open co-op and permanent employment positions.
Featured Work
Capstone Projects
A unique capture of RIT's transforming campus, documenting the stories of women in Rochester, a rebranding and an exploration of rare type design are some of the themes in the RIT Visual Media Class...
Posters of a Pandemic
Students in the Elements of Visual Media class designed posters related to the global coronavirus pandemic. Main design by Caroline Brodt.
Grace Blondell
Featured Profiles
Connecting Creatives
Will Moran '20 created Cabin Fever, an online publication highlighting worked created by artists while in quarantine.
Why You Belong in RIT's College of Art and Design
Todd Jokl, Mari Jaye Blanchard, Melissa Dawson, Clay Patrick McBride
Get an in-depth look at RIT's College of Art and Design from our faculty and students. Let us share with you how our community of artists pushes the boundaries of creativity and innovation. And...
Mixing Design and Photography
Chaya Howell ’17 Visual Media option (Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA) is a Brooklyn-based artist working full-time as a creative while taking design jobs on the side.
Admissions and Financial Aid
This option is part of the Photographic and Imaging Arts BFA. Please visit the degree program page for admission requirements.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.
RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs. When all these are put to work, your actual cost may be much lower than the published estimated cost of attendance.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships
Latest News
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November 7, 2022
![people dressed in old fashioned dresses standing outside a small brick house at night.]()
Community gathers at National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House for Big Shot 35
An early sunset didn’t deter the large crowd gathered at the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House and the surrounding neighborhood for the RIT Big Shot on Sunday. The community came together to shine a light on voting rights and equal rights as part of the annual photography project hosted by RIT.
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October 4, 2022
![An overhead view of a student getting their portfolio reviewed by RIT faculty.]()
RIT welcomes prospective students for National Portfolio Day
RIT's College of Art and Design faculty, along with those at 25 other top art and design schools, reviewed students' portfolios as they prepared their artwork for the college admissions process.
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April 29, 2022
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Pioneering RIT and NTID collaboration garners the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films Grand Prize
Say Cheese, a pioneering, heartfelt film directed and produced by two RIT students, took home the top prize in the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program announced during the final night of CinemaCon in Las Vegas late Thursday. The project featured the combined creative efforts of students, faculty, and staff in RIT’s School of Film and Animation and NTID.
