What Coursework is Included in a Typical Electronic Arts Program? ACR Takes a Look.
| Advanced Electronic Art and Intermedia |
| Audio for Media |
| Cinematography and Editing |
| Computer Animation |
| Digital Fabrication and Interactive Environments |
| Experiments in Digital Video |
| Graphic Design Systems |
| Multimedia Interactivity Design |
| Sound Editing & Mixing |
| Web Design & Construction |
What is Electronic Arts?
The terms electronic art, digital art, and computer art are interchangeable. All three art forms require the utilization of computers and computer software to create art. In most cases, electronic art is interactive. In addition, electronic art may include everything from dance and performance to music. In fact, some of the earliest examples of electronic art can be found in music.
Each year, a number of festivals celebrate electronic art. Examples include Prix Ars Electronica, one of the most popular and longest running annual prizes for electronic and interactive art, computer animation, music and digital culture, the International Symposium for Electronic Art (ISEA), an annual gathering of the international art, science and technology community, organized annually since 1988), and the Ars Electronica Symposium, established in 1979 and one of the world’s largest media arts venues.
What are the Types of Courses for Electronic Arts Programs?
Electronic arts, digital art, and computer art are so similar that training programs are typically the same. It’s not enough to have the creative talent to paint, sculpt, or illustrate. To enter the competitive electronic arts arena, aspiring artists must be computer savvy in order to create electronic art for the web as a large percentage of EA is created specifically for the Internet. Artists must master multiple software programs quickly. Examples of industry software include Lightwave, Photoshop, After Effects, Maya, Director, Dreamweaver and Flash.
Programs for aspiring electronic artists are readily available at art schools, technical schools, and traditional colleges and universities across the country. Degree pathways include the BA, BS, BFA, MA, MFA, and MS. Some schools, such as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), University of Southern California (USC), and University of Colorado Boulder even offer PhD programs.
Courses for electronic arts programs are art, design, music, and media focused. Examples include:
- Advanced Audio Recording
- Advanced Electronic Art and Intermedia
- Audio for Media
- Cinematography and Editing
- Computer Animation
- Digital Fabrication and Interactive Environments
- Experiments in Digital Video
- Graphic Design Systems
- Intro to Commercial Music
- Intro to Digital Imaging
- Introduction to Electronic Art
- Multimedia Interactivity Design
- Sound Editing & Mixing
- Web Design & Construction
Most programs offer internship opportunities, portfolio development courses, and a final project to showcase the students skills and talent.
What Can I Do With a Degree in Electronic Arts?
A typical electronic arts program prepares artists for entry into fields such as multimedia design, game design, model making, animation, graphic design, music, film and video, web design, and much more. Possible job titles include animator, 3-D computer animator, animated cartoonist, 3-D graphics specialist, art director, audio visual artist, audio engineer, character animator, computer graphics specialist, effects animator, flash programmer, game designer, motion picture artist, multimedia developer, new media director, producer, video engineer, visual artist, visual systems designer, and web writer.