Digital Arts

Coordinator: Anita Allyn

The Digital Arts major features an intensive core curriculum (and a range of options) in specifically digital media such as Imaging and Photography, Video, Time-based Media, Sound Design, Animation, Web Design-both Static and Dynamic, and Interactive and Performance Media.

Upon graduating with a BFA in Digital Arts, TCNJ students will be highly prepared to either continue their education as strong candidates at the most competitive graduate programs in New Media or to enter professional fields as amongst the most skilled digital artists in an increasingly competitive job market.

The essence of the Digital Arts curriculum is the study of art (in both studio and seminar classes) that is originated, created and/or output with the use of digital technologies. The course of study parallels the development of art and technology in western culture from still photography to the moving image to electronic interactivity and to the production of immersive environments, utilizing the latest digital tools available. The fundamental principle underlying the curriculum is that student artists must understand and develop the historical, aesthetic, conceptual, and technical aspects of the digital arts within the larger context of art-making.

The Digital Arts student can choose to specialize in a particular area or opt for broad and comprehensive exposure to media in the discipline. The student's creative visual language is developed in foundation courses of fine arts, which introduce a rigorous practice in drawing, color theory, design, conceptual analysis, introductory digital courses, and photography. The exemplary educational background The College of New Jersey offers--one that emphasizes "creative expressions", "critical thinking", and a "cultural, social, and intellectual life enriched and enlivened by diversity"-- is integral to the curriculum. Second year study incorporates student learning of foundational skills with new technical forms that include interactive art and design, time-based media (video and animation) and web design. Third year students specialize in a Digital Arts component to further develop their aesthetic, technical and conceptual abilities. The final year is comprised of advanced research and study in the Digital Arts that ensures both a conceptual and technical maturation of each student.

Download a comprehensive undergraduate bulletin.

Digital Arts Major Recommended Program of Study

Fall Freshman

AFA 111 Drawing I
The purpose of the course is to cultivate the student's ability to express ideas visually and to develop confidence in drawing a variety of subjects with diverse materials. Exercises cultivate skill in determining composition, rendering geometric shapes, depicting perspective and three dimensional illusion, fashioning light, shade, proportion, scale, surface and textures as well as arranging still life composition. Field trip(s) required.
AFA 113 Color Theory/2D Design
TThis course provides essential concepts and skills necessary to function as a visual artist (graphic designer, digital artist or traditional fine artist). Strong emphasis is placed on the visual component of art; how to apply the elements of art (line, shape, color, texture and space) in order to accomplish one's subjective goal. Color, as a visual element, is singled out in this course because of its complexity, importance in our visual environment, and the limited knowledge entering students have regarding the subject.
AFA 118 3D Design
This course focuses on projects that explore the fundamentals of form and space and investigates the proper materials, structure, mass, scale, light and motion. Class discussions introduce a variety of conceptual and material processes that generate production. Intention, form, materiality and context are the subject of general class discussion. Techniques and approaches may include the creation of objects informed by abstract ideas, performance involving 3D objects, and an introduction to 3D installations.
FSP Freshman Seminar
It is recommended that Art Majors not select FSPs with 101, 102, 103, or 104 numbers. Please review instructions for selecting a FSP at http://fsp.pages.tcnj.edu/.

Spring Freshman

AFA 112 Conceptual Art
Conceptual Studio initiates investigation into current forms of artistic production. At the heart of Conceptual Art lies the question "What is Art?" Conceptual Art challenges the traditional status of the art object as product and refocuses artistic creativity in the process of art making, the ideas invoked and the meaning of cultural production. Among the approaches to art making that will be researched and put into practice will be the readymade, public intervention, performance and ephemeral works, language and the use of signifiers.
ADA 180 Digital Arts: Imaging I
This course is a guided studio experience in digital art with emphasis on 2D digital imaging. Investigations include the creative possibilities of graphics and contemporary background of computers and digital arts. Students will use computer imaging and illustration to convey artistic concepts and personal observations pertaining to defined themes. Prior experience with the computer is not required. Extra lab hours outside of class meeting times will be required to complete assignments.
AGD 160 Intro to Graphic Design
WRI 102 Academic Writing

Fall Sophomore

ADA 270 Digital Arts: Imaging II
AFA 280 Photography I
ADA 278 Imaging Sound OR ADA 345 Intro to Electronic Music Skills and Lit
AAH 115, 116 or 117 Non-Western

Spring Sophomore

ADA 283 Digital Photography
ADA 285 Digital Art: Time-Based
ADA 385 Digital Arts: Interactive
AAH 250 Contemporary Art

Fall Junior

ADA 288 Web Design I: Static
ADA 386 Video Art I: Single Channel OR ADA 210 Computer Animation I (same as IMM 210)
Liberal Learning Required Course
Liberal Learning Required Course

Spring Junior

ADA 388 Web Design II: Dynamic OR Digital Arts Elective
ADA 387 Video Art II: Installation/Performance OR ADA 310 Computer Animation II (same as IMM 310)
Liberal Learning Required Course
Liberal Learning Required Course

Fall Senior

ADA 498 Digital Arts: Theory and Practice
Digital Arts Elective Independent Study
Liberal Learning Elective
Liberal Learning Required Course

Spring Senior

ADA 499 Digital Arts: Thesis Project
Digital Arts Elective Independent Study
Liberal Learning Elective
Liberal Learning Required Course

Digital Arts Minor

Requires a portfolio review and/or permission of the Digital Arts Coordinator.

Non-art Majors

AFA 111 Drawing I or AFA 113 Color-Design
AFA112 Concept Studio
ADA180 Digital Arts: Imaging I
ADA285 Digital Arts: Time-based
ADA288 Web Design I

Interactive Multimedia Majors

AFA111 Drawing I
AFA113 Color-Design
AFA112 Concept Studio

One of the following courses:

ADA180 Digital Arts: Imaging I
ADA285 Digital Arts: Time-based
ADA283 Digital Photography
ADA288 Web Design I: Static