Art Degrees Online

The goal of the Photography Department is to provide students with a comprehensive education in the theory, techniques, history and ethics of photography which, integrated with a strong foundation in other visual & liberal arts, provides the knowledge and perspective essential for the pursuit of the medium as a humanistic endeavor, a creative professional or advocate.

The Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees are offered in Photography. The Bachelor of Arts is also offered in Documentary Studies.

The B.A. allows for broad exploration in studio and history of photography, while the B.F.A. offers a more focused and comprehensive program. All degree programs include both analog and digital technologies and practices in our state of the art facilities.

The photography program has, as its underlying basis, the recognition of photography as a unique and elegant blend of science and art which has evolved into one of the most influential media of communication on the planet. As a fine art that works directly from reality and is, therefore, grounded in truth, it is an extremely potent and evocative means of self-expression. As the preferred means of news reportage, it has, since its inception, been the primary force in documenting global events, and, in some cases, even shaping world history. As the medium of choice for product advertising, it accounts for billions of dollars of consumer trade, annually. And now, with the advent of digital photography, the creative power and control of the individual photographer is almost unlimited.

A two-year Associate in Fine Arts degree, or a two-year diploma, is offered for students wishing to prepare for this field. Also, a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Digital Imaging has been designed to cover the increased digital needs of our students, as well as to continue to offer the skills, concepts and history of traditional gelatin/silver photography. This program has been carefully designed to accurately mirror the dynamic merger of traditional and digital imagining which is currently evolving in the field.

The BFA program offers the student a unique experience that covers both fine art and commercial photography. Students will be given the opportunity to acquire skills that enable them to choose from many different photo career directions which is currently evolving in the field.

Career opportunities in photography are quite varied, and include portraiture, photojournalism, architectural photography, product photography, wedding photography, photographic processing and printing, and many forms of prepress digital manipulation.

Photographic Imaging — Associate in Arts
Successful photographic professionals do not rely on talent alone. They must possess a thorough understanding of the composition of light as well as a wide array of technical skills-from choosing the right equipment to perfecting production techniques while capturing visually compelling images. Students must be creative, imaginative, and attentive to detail as they prepare to enter the field. While building an awareness of visual style, students also develop core values based in professional standards and practices and a skill set with a solid technical and design foundation.

In addition to courses in art and design, students in photographic imaging study the history of art and the history of photography as they explore the principles of photographic design and the significance of visual style in the commercial sector. They study the application of professional cameras, lenses, and related processes-small, medium, and large formats-as they apply to commercial uses such as photojournalism or advertising photography.

Students use the professional equipment to develop the techniques required for successful location and studio photography, as well as learning to solve problems in both natural and artificial lighting. Students apply all the tools of contemporary photographic techniques to the digital workflow of modern photography. Studios and darkrooms feature program-specific hardware and software.

Associate in Arts

In the associate program, students develop skills by learning the basics of color, design, various camera techniques and applications, and digital imaging. At the end of the program, they assemble a portfolio of their work in the program. Graduates in the associate program may choose to continue into the bachelor of fine arts program, or they may seek entry-level positions in the field as studio assistants or as staff photographers with publishing companies, photography studios or labs, and production companies.

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Students in the bachelor’s program are challenged to expand their varied skills and proficiencies in developing a personal specialization to reflect their personalities and artistic styles. These students may choose to participate in quarter-long programs abroad or on short-term trips to locations such as Ireland, Italy, or China. In addition to opportunities like these trips, internships help students as they strive to develop a solid photographic identity, purpose, and direction, and to produce a portfolio that reflects this specialization along with a general portfolio that reflects a sophisticated set of photographic skills.

Bachelor’s degree graduates are prepared for entry-level positions as commercial photographers, editorial photographers, or photographic editors with advertising agencies, publishing houses, magazines, and production companies. Some graduates may open their own studios or freelance.
Total Credit Hours: 96
6 Quarters

Photographic Imaging — Bachelor of Fine Arts

Successful photographic professionals possess an understanding of composition as well as a wide array of technical skills — from choosing the right equipment to perfecting techniques while capturing visually compelling images.

In our photography program, you’ll learn the basics of color, design, visual expression, various camera techniques and applications, digital imaging, and business practices. You’ll strive to develop a solid photographic identity, purpose, and direction.

Program graudates are prepared to seek entry-level positions such as newspaper photojournalist, studio manager, commercial photographer, editorial photographer, and photo graphic editor with advertising agencies, publishing houses, magazines, and production companies.

Media Arts & Animation — Bachelor of Fine Arts
Location-based entertainment, film and video, architecture, virtual reality, broadcast television, advertising, education, gaming, medical sciences, and forensics are among the industries that benefit from the techniques of traditional and digital animation. The course of studies at The Art Institute develops students’ skills in design, illustration, compositing, 3D computer modeling, and other areas needed to enter the animation field. Students begin the media arts & animation program with a foundation in drawing, color, writing, and character design along with introductory computer applications. Under the guidance of industry-experienced faculty, students begin to learn advanced 2D and 3D animation principles as well as story development, background design, scenic layout, and special effects. In increasingly more advanced courses, students learn and become experienced with program-specific software, such as Macromedia Flash, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, and Autodesk Maya. At the end of the program, students take a sequence of portfolio courses in which they design and execute specialized projects that form a part of their digital portfolios to showcase their conceptual and creative skills and abilities in both traditional and digital 2D and 3D techniques. All students develop a Web site in order to present this portfolio to a wide audience of potential employers upon graduation.

During their studies at The Art Institute, students are encouraged to apply for internships, participate in active student and professional organizations, enter national contests and film festivals, and attend conferences, such as SIGGRAPH, all of which enable them to become familiar with a developing industry and with the people who make the industry such a vibrant one in today’s world of communications and entertainment.

Media arts & animation graduates enter various aspects of the animation industry, specializing in fields such as computer-generated lighting, compositing and rendering, storyboarding, texturing, special effects, motion graphics, and others. In addition, the need for 2D and Flash animators continues to grow in order to support Web-based corporate communications, e-commerce, and marketing.
Total Credit Hours: 192
12 Quarters

Digital Filmmaking & Video Production — Bachelor of Fine Arts

EMERGING AND EVOLVING TECHNOLOGIES

Emerging and evolving technologies are changing the video and film industries. Today’s video producers must be able to do more than shoot and edit videotape. Knowing how to combine traditional production techniques with the appropriate digital tools is the key to success.

What you’ll study

• Learn camera operation, lighting, Steadicam operation, linear and non-linear editing, electronic newsgathering, compositing and sequencing, and more—hands-on from the first quarter.

• Become familiar with basic graphic design and color theory.

• Progress to scriptwriting, multi-camera production, live show production, directing, and pre- and post-production techniques, both analog and digital, using AVID, Final Cut Pro, Pro Tools, and Adobe® Premiere editing systems.

• Create a portfolio of your work to show prospective employers.

Special features

Students learn special visual effects and video graphics using computer applications like Adobe® After Effects and develop practical skills such as crew relations. They also study project management and business marketing skills to help them enter into their chosen field.

Career opportunities

Graduates in digital media production have the knowledge to navigate among the dynamic worlds of video production, multimedia, and converging technologies. Companies today are looking for employees who can conceive, construct, and deliver content for CDs, DVDs, video, and broadband Internet. Graduates of the program are prepared for entry-level positions where they create dynamic content by formulating, constructing, and delivering digital audio, video, broadcast graphics, and animation. They are also prepared to manage content for distribution though a variety of traditional and new media, including CD, DVD, television, and broadban
Total Credit Hours: 192
12 Quarters
Curriculum
First Quarter
CAA106 Introduction to Design Applications show details
EN101 English I show details
MT112 College Geometry show details
MT113 Ideas of Mathematics show details
VID101 Introduction to Video Production show details
Second Quarter
EN102 English II show details
P104 Digital Photographic Production show details
SC115 Science of Light show details
VID110 History of Motion Media and Mass Communication show details
Third Quarter
ART123 Color Theory show details
VID102 Introduction to Audio Prodution show details
VID121 Digital Cinematography show details
GD121 Design Elements show details
Fourth Quarter
ART122 2D Design show details
HA215 Art History I: Art of the Ancient World show details
VID131 Introduction to Video Editing show details
VID210 Scriptwriting I show details
Fifth Quarter
IMD100 Fundamentals of Interactive Design show details
PS101 Introduction to Psychology show details
VID140 Introduction to Video Lighting show details
VID150 Introduction to Motion Graphics show details
Sixth Quarter
HA216 Art History II: Art of the Medieval and Renaissance Worlds show details
IMD140 Concepts in Motion Design show details
VID175 Intermediate Editing show details
VID212 Directing the Documentary show details
Seventh Quarter
COM105 Public Speaking show details
VID213 Directing with Actors show details
VID310 Scriptwriting II show details
Program Elective I
Eighth Quarter
HU212 Introduction to Film Studies show details
VID176 Advanced Editing show details
VID250 Television Production show details
Program Elective II
Ninth Quarter
HA217 Art History III: Art of the Modern World show details
VID260 Digital Filmmaking on Location show details
VID320 Project Management show details
VID325 Intermediate Motion Graphics show details
Tenth Quarter
HA301 Contemporary Art show details
VID330 Digital Media for the Web show details
VID350 Media Business and Law show details
Program Elective III
Eleventh Quarter
VID390 Portfolio Preparation show details
VID399 Internship show details
VID445 Professional Opportunities in Digital Filmmaking and Video show details
General Education Elective I
Twelfth Quarter
VID400 Senior Portfolio show details
Program Elective IV
Program Elective V
General Education Elective II

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication (BFA) with a concentration in Illustration

Illustrators, along with other professional artists, can expect continued growth in employment opportunities according to the U.S. Department of Labor. But competition for positions will remain keen, with employers selecting only the most qualified and talented candidates. Although not required for some positions, a college degree in fine arts can help ensure success in securing employment in this highly competitive field.

The Visual Communication program at AIU is designed to educate and develop artistic and imaginative students for a wide range of careers in the fields of art and design. The program emphasizes the development of the thinking process and the ability to solve design problems creatively. Students can learn the principles, practical applications, technologies, and methodologies used in solving complex design problems in a creative and unique manner.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Visual Communication includes a career-relevant concentration in Illustration that allows students to focus their studies and prepare for a career in this field. Students in this program will be exposed to a range of topics, including figure drawing and painting, narrative illustration, 2D animation, 3D illustration, and computer illustration.
Career Opportunities

The BFA in Visual Communication with a concentration in Illustration can help prepare students who are interested in developing or advancing a career* as a/an:
Art Director
Art Editor
Illustrator
Animator
Practicing Fine Artist

* Additional experience may be required for some positions.
Challenging, Relevant Coursework

The BFA in Visual Communication features industry-relevant coursework taught by faculty members with experience in their respective field. Key topics addressed in this degree program include the history of visual communication; illustration (several levels), graphic design, for print- and screen-based applications; web design and multimedia; fine art and animation; and various aspects of photography.
Upon completion of the program, the student should be able to:
Demonstrate broad knowledge of their chosen specialty area and its relevance within the wider context of Visual Communication, in a business environment.
Understand the cultural, aesthetic, historical and theoretical issues relevant to the studied specialization and to the students’ desired areas of work or postgraduate study.
Demonstrate knowledge of the wide range of organizations that use the services of artists and designers, towards their business objectives.
Employ their knowledge of a range of experimental and speculative strategies with which to test and develop ideas and push beyond the usual towards original innovative design solutions.
Demonstrate knowledge of the range of contemporary media and appropriate technical skills from which to select towards design solutions.
Demonstrate ownership of and responsibility for a self-directed professionally executed portfolio of work.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication (BFA) with a concentration in Graphic Design

It is the job of the graphic designer to create imaginative visual solutions to communications problems. They decide the most effective way of getting a message across in print, electronic, and film media using a variety of methods. While a Bachelor’s degree is required for most entry-level and advanced graphic design positions, creativity and effective communication and problem-solving skills are also crucial to success. And today, graphic designers must also be familiar with industry standard technology.

AIU offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication with a concentration in Graphic Design that can help prepare students to become creative and technically proficient graphic designers or art directors. This degree program integrates theory, practice, and team-oriented learning to help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the field.

The Visual Communication program at AIU emphasizes the development of the thinking process and the ability to solve design problems creatively. Students can learn the principles, practical applications, technologies, and methodologies used in solving complex design problems in a creative and unique manner.
Career Opportunities

The BFA in Visual Communication with a concentration in Graphic Design can help prepare students who are interested in developing and advancing a career* as a/an:
Art Director
Design Manager
Graphic Designer
Art Editor (books, magazines and newspapers)
Typographer
Web Designer
Multimedia Expert

*Additional experience may be required for some positions.
Challenging, Relevant Coursework

The BFA in Visual Communication features industry-relevant coursework taught by faculty members with experience in their respective field. Key topics addressed in this degree program include the history of visual communication; graphic design, typography and computer graphics for print- and screen-based applications; web design and multimedia; illustration and animation; and photography.
Upon completion of the program, the student should be able to:
Demonstrate broad knowledge of their chosen specialization and its relevance within the wider context of Visual Communication, in a business environment.
Understand the cultural, aesthetic, historical and theoretical issues relevant to the specialization and to the students’ desired areas of work or postgraduate study.
Demonstrate knowledge of the wide range of organizations that use the services of artists and designers, towards their business objectives.
Employ their knowledge of a range of experimental and speculative strategies with which to test and develop ideas and push beyond the usual towards original innovative design solutions.
Demonstrate knowledge of the range of contemporary media and appropriate technical skills from which to select towards design solutions.
Demonstrate ownership of and responsibility for a self-directed professionally executed portfolio of work

Requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting

Requirements may differ according to date of enrollment. Current students should check their college catalog.
Requires admission to major. 18-credit hour Foundation Program plus 55 credit hours of Major Requirements. Total credit hours required: 73+ Visiting Artist Program.

Course Number Title Credit Hours

Foundation Program (18 credit hours):
ART 115 Masterpieces in Art to 1400 3
ART 116 Masterpieces from 1400-Present 3
ART 100 Visual Literacy 3
ART 150 Drawing I 3
ART 155 2-D Design 3
ART 257 3-D Form and Content 3
or ART 273 Handforming Clay

ART 151 Drawing II 3
ART 252 Life Drawing I 3
ART 253 Life Drawing II 3
ART 255 Introduction to Photography 3
ART 258 Figure Modeling 3
ART 263 Relief Painting 3
ART 285 Painting I 3
ART 368 Monotypes 3
ART 357 3-D Methods and Materials 3
or ART373 Ceramic Form and Function 3
ART 387 Intermediate Drawing and Painting 3
ART 487 Advanced Drawing and Painting 3
ART 441 Directed Study in Drawing and Painting 3
ART 495 Independent Studio Project 3
THEA 226 Scene Painting I 3
THEA 427 Scene Painting II 3
Art History Electives 6
ART and MEDA studio electives 6
Senior Exhibition 1

Requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Illustration

Requirements may differ according to date of enrollment. Current students should check their college catalog.
Requires admission to major. 18-credit hour Foundation Program plus 55 credit hours of Major Requirements. Total credit hours required: 73+ Visiting Artist Program.

Course Number Title Credit Hours

Foundation Program (18 credit hours):
ART 115 Masterpieces in Art to 1400 3
ART 116 Masterpieces from 1400-Present 3
ART 100 Visual Literacy 3
ART 150 Drawing I 3
ART 155 2-D Design 3
ART 257 3-D Form and Content 3
or ART 273 Handforming Clay

Animation and Illustration Major Requirements (55 credit hours):

ART 151 Drawing II 3
ART 252 Life Drawing I 3
ART 255 Introduction to Photography 3
ART 258 Figure Modeling 3
ART 285 Painting I 3
ART 380 Illustration I 3
ART 381 Illustration II 3
ART 420 Illustration III 3
MEDA 205 Introduction to 2-D Animation 3
MEDA 305 Intermediate 2-D Animation 3
MEDA 405 Advanced 2-D Animation 3
MEDA 301 Media Performance I 3
MEDA 496 Animation and Illustration Capstone 3
ART and MEDA studio electives 9
Art History Electives 6
Senior Exhibition
1