Art Degrees Online

Commercial Photography — Diploma
CREATING IMAGES IN A DIGITAL WORLD

Commercial photographers with solid digital photography skills contribute images to a variety of fields from magazines to television, books to advertising. In this certificate program, students learn the fundamental skills needed to begin an exciting career in entry-level positions with advertising photographers or agencies.

What You’ll Study:
• Begin with the history and principles of photography.
• Move on to large format photography and digital photographic production.
• Continue with lighting, studio skills, and digital photographic illustration.

Total Credit Hours: 40
5 Quarters
Curriculum
First Quarter
P111 Principles of Photography show details
CAA106 Introduction to Design Applications show details
Second Quarter
P103 Large-Format Photography show details
P104 Digital Photographic Production show details
Third Quarter
P106 History and Survey of Photography show details
P201 Lighting show details
Fourth Quarter
P203 Studio show details
P207 Digital Darkroom show details
Fifth Quarter
P204 Digital Photographic Illustration I show details
Program Elective I

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

Visual Effects & Motion Graphics — Bachelor of Fine Arts
Visual effects & motion graphics is design in motion. Professional artists in this field combine special effects with computer-based animation and graphics. Then they weave video clips, graphic elements, and sound with live-action footage in creative ways for the most impact. The result is innovative TV commercials, movie trailers, opening film credits, animated network IDs, short promo teasers, and catchy “next-ons” between television shows.

Visual effects & motion graphics takes audiences where no mere camera can go – like the SUV parked impossibly high on a desert mesa, a movie title composed only of smoke and light and that impossible shot that starts with the whole Earth in space and zooms into a close-up in someone’s backyard. These are just some examples of the work of visual effects and motion graphics artists, a growing group of digital image specialists who work in all areas of television and film production, for broadcast, cable, theatrical film, advertising, marketing, and education.

In the program students begin with a foundation of drawing and design principles and color theory. They move into studies of 3D modeling, digital video editing, visual effects, broadcast graphics, audio basics, and production design. Finally the program courses enable students to integrate the animation, filmmaking, audio, and design skills to produce projects in a production studio-style collaborative environment and to create a portfolio of their best work to show prospective employers.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in visual effects & motion graphics will be able to edit and assemble a product for television, movies, or the Web, create opening titles for feature films and television shows, create station or network identification logos and bumpers, and design graphics that use type, color, and brand elements. They will be prepared to seek entry-level positions in broadcast and cable television, small production houses, or in-house corporate video production departments. Job titles may include, but are not limited to, production assistant, assistant designer, assistant compositor, visual effects specialist, broadcast design assistant, digital artist, and assistant editor.
Total Credit Hours: 192
12 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.

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

The Bachelor of Animation (BS) program objective is to help students strengthen basic art and design skills, so they learn how to design game play and background, create characters and their environments. Graduates will have the training and skills necessary to compete for entry-level positions in the game industry. The Bachelor of Animation (BS) program is offered online via distance learning. After evaluating both academic record and life experience, AIU staff working in conjunction with Faculty and Academic Advisors will assist students in setting up a custom-made program, designed on an individual basis. This flexibility to meet student needs is seldom found in other distance learning programs. Our online program does not require all students to take the same subjects/courses, use the same books, or learning materials. Instead, the online Bachelor of Animation (BS) curriculum is designed individually by the student and academic advisor. It specifically addresses strengths and weaknesses with respect to market opportunities in the student’s major and intended field of work. Understanding that industry and geographic factors should influence the content of the curriculum instead of a standardized one-fits-all design is the hallmark of AIU’s unique approach to adult education. This philosophy addresses the dynamic and constantly changing environment of working professionals by helping adult students in reaching their professional and personal goals within the scope of the degree program.

Important: Below is an example of the topics or areas you may develop and work on during your studies. By no means is it a complete or required list as AIU programs do not follow a standardized curriculum. It is meant solely as a reference point and example. Want to learn more about the curriculum design at AIU? (Course and Curriculum)

Visual & Game Programming — Bachelor of Science
The objective of the program is to prepare students to become technical artists. Intensely hands-on, this program combines traditional animation skills with technical skills and extends the student’s ability to create and operate programs and scripts for 3-D graphics animation.

To develop and design an animated 3-D game, it takes the work of both an artist and a technical programmer. The artist creates characters, backgrounds, and other graphics to make the game visually appealing and exciting while the technical programmer creates programs/scripts to enable the various movements and interactions of characters and objects. For both sides to work effectively as a team, it is critical to have a third party whom the industry professionals call “Technical Artist.” The Technical Artist must have the artistic talent and abilities, and more importantly, the Technical Artist must also be well versed in the technical aspects of the game, thus capable of comprehending the intent of the artistic creator and the technical needs and challenges in achieving the intended results of the game designers. With that unique understanding, the Technical Artist can customize the programming tools in a computer software application to best meet the needs of an individual game.

Graduates of the Visual & Game Programming program may find employment in the fields of animation, multimedia, and game art and design. However, their mastery of knowledge and skills in visual art and design, as well as programming, makes them uniquely qualified to be what industry professionals call Technical Artists, who following the career track can grow into Technical Directors. Since this is an emerging field, not many job titles currently exist.

Possible entry-level positions for a graduate of the Visual & Game Programming program include: Technical Artist; Data Wrangler; Rendering Wrangler; Technical Developer; Assistant Technical Director; Artist Wizard; 3-D Tools Programmer; Game Programmer; and Junior Technical Cinematic Artist.

Total Credit Hours: 192
12 Quarters.

Some of the most memorable TV, film, and pop culture characters of all-time aren’t even real people. They’re animated figments of someone’s imagination. From two-dimensional single-panel cartoon drawings, to video game characters, to full-length computer animated feature films, the field of animation is as diverse and varied as the people who invent its characters. Turn your creativity into a career.

Westwood College’s Animation Program includes hands-on training in such areas as the laws of human motion, physics, and psychology as they are applied to 3D characters; life drawing and rendering techniques; special effects; 3D animation; and the application of audio and video production techniques to an animation project. Opportunities for Multimedia Designers and Animators are expected to grow more than 15% by 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, as more focus is placed on high-tech careers.
Westwood College’s Bachelor of Science in Animation Program

The Bachelor of Science in Animation program provides training in the creative and the practical aspects of animation careers. In addition to technical career training, the combination of management and general education courses help students apply skills in general management, critical thinking, logic, communication, and problem solving to workplace challenges.

To enhance your education, our Animation Program includes critical business courses that cover such topics as building a business, business law, and an overview of traditional business and e-business models. The Bachelor of Science in Animation program prepares students for entry-level positions including graphic artist and assistant animator and multimedia designer/artist.

This program is designed to provide graduates with sufficient training to qualify for entry-level positions including commercial and portrait studio assistant, technical sales representative, retail sales clerk, management trainee, freelance photographer, and processing technician. Completion of the program will also be beneficial to those planning to major in such areas as communications, public relations, graphic arts, fine arts or journalism. Working professionals seeking to upgrade current skills as well as those interested in personal enrichment will also find this program to be beneficial.