Bachelor of Fine Arts in New Media Design
At the intersection of visual communication, design strategy, and user experience design, RIT’s new media design major produces innovative creators of next gen digital media.
Program Overview
Every day, millions of people engage in interactive digital experiences, from smartphones and smart TVs, to tablets, wearables, gaming systems, and more. In the new media design degree, you’ll explore dynamic aspects of digital design–visual design, user experience design, interaction, motion graphics, and technology–that give you the skills you need to create captivating, interactive media.
Program Goals
The BFA in New Media Design program goals are broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years of graduation. The New Media Design faculty, in conjunction with its constituents, have established the following program goals:
- Future-Oriented SkillsAims to elevate the technological proficiency of students by refining specific technical competencies, digital media Design, and artificial intelligence utilization. These competencies are pivotal in preparing students for the ever-evolving demands of contemporary media landscapes.
- Creativity and Productivity within the New Media Design ContextEquipping students with professional methodologies and enabling them to adeptly transform their written content into suitable formats for consumption within the new media Design environment.
- Community ActivistThrough the practical application of new media Design tools and strategies, students will be motivated to interact with and contribute to discussions surrounding these multifaceted issues. This approach underscores the program's commitment to nurturing informed and socially conscious individuals.
Program Learning Outcomes
What students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. These relate to the skills, knowledge, and behaviors that students acquire in their matriculation through the program. All Course Learning Outcomes of all BFA in New Media Design courses map directly into these Program Learning Outcomes.
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Organize and display information and multimedia content using research and interaction design principles.
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Develop skills and an understanding of processes to solve communication problems through the creation of digital imagery and design.
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Identify and analyze the digital communications industry, best practices, and individual roles within these collaborative workspaces.
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Apply formal design theory, methodology, and practice through the examination of contemporary and historical design.
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Provide experiential opportunities for innovative multi-disciplinary team-based collaboration.
Typical Job Titles
- App Designer
- Creative Director
- Design Director
- Digital Product Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Interactive Designer
- Junior Visual Designer
- Motion Graphic Designer
- Presentation Designer
- Senior Visual Designer
- UI/UX Designer
- Web Developer
Typical Course Sequence
Year One |
||
Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
NMDE-103 | New Media Design Interactive I |
3 |
FDTN-111 |
Drawing I |
3 |
|
Choose one of the following: |
3 |
FDTN-112 | Drawing II |
|
FDTN-212 | Drawing II Workshop: Topics |
|
FDTN-121 | 2D Design I |
3 |
FDTN-141 | 4D Design |
3 |
NMDE-111 | New Media Design Digital Survey I |
3 |
NMDE-112 | New Media Design Digital Survey II |
3 |
YOPS-10 |
RIT 365: RIT Connections |
0 |
|
Choose one of the following: |
3 |
|
General Education – Natural Science Inquiry Perspective |
|
|
General Education – Scientific Principles Perspective |
|
|
General Education – Mathematical Perspective A or B |
|
|
General Education – Ethical Perspective |
3 |
|
General Education – First-Year Writing (WI) |
3 |
Year Two |
||
ARTH-### | Any 100-level ARTH course (General Education - Artistic Perspective) |
3 |
ARTH-### | Any 100-level ARTH course (General Education - Global Perspective) |
3 |
IGME-101 | New Media Interactive Design and Algorithmic Problem Solving I |
4 |
IGME-102 | New Media Interactive Design and Algorithmic Problem Solving II |
4 |
NMDE-201 |
New Media Design Elements II |
3 |
NMDE-202 | New Media Design 3D |
3 |
NMDE-203 | New Media Design Interactive II |
3 |
NMDE-204 | New Media Design Animation |
3 |
|
CAD Studio Elective ‡ |
3 |
General Education – Social Perspective |
3 |
|
Summer 3 |
NMDE 499- New Media Design Co-op |
0 |
Year Three |
||
NMDE-305 | New Media Design Motion Graphics |
3 |
NMDE-302 | New Media Design Graphical User Interface |
3 |
NMDE-301 | New Media Design Elements III (WI-PR) |
3 |
NMDE-303 | New Media Design Interactive III |
3 |
Art History Electives † |
6 |
|
Open Electives |
6 |
|
|
General Education – Immersion 1 (WI) |
3 |
|
Professional Electives § |
3 |
Year Four |
||
NMDE-401 |
New Media Design Capstone I |
3 |
NMDE-404 |
New Media Design Interactive IV |
3 |
NMDE-411 | New Media Design Capstone II |
3 |
NMDE-406 |
New Media Design Experimental |
3 |
|
General Education – Immersion 2, 3 |
6 |
|
General Education – Elective |
3 |
|
Open Electives |
9 |
Total Semester Credit Hours - 122 |
Please see the General Education Curriculum (GE) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
† Art History electives are non-studio courses searchable in SIS with the Art History attribute of ARTH; and are 200 level or above.
‡ CAD Studio Elective courses are any College of Art and Design course with a studio or lab component, per catalog restrictions.
§ Professional Elective courses are any course offered by the following disciplines: GRDE, IGME, ISTE, IDDE, DDDD, SOFA, or photography (PHAP, PHAR, PHFA, PHPJ, PHVM, PHPS).