Art and Design

Chair: Joseph Smolinski, M.F.A.

Coordinators: Art, Jacquelyn Gleisner, M.F.A.; Digital Art and Design and Graphic Design, Guy-Serge Emmanuel, M.F.A.; Illustration, Jon Sideriadis, M.F.A.; Interior Design, Hollis Sutherland, M.F.A.

Associate Professors: Jamie Lynn Slenker, M.F.A., Savannah College of Art and Design

Assistant Professors: John Arabolos, M.F.A., Pratt Institute; Guy-Serge Emmanuel, M.F.A., New Jersey City University.

Lecturers: Hollis Sutherland, M.F.A., Endicott College; Javier Viramontes, B.F.A., University of Texas at Austin; Joseph Smolinski, M.F.A., University of Connecticut.

Practitioners In Residence: Jacquelyn Gleisner, M.F.A., Cranbrook Academy of Art; Jon Sideriadis, M.F.A., Hartford Art School, Stephen Smith, M.S., Columbia University.

Mission

The mission of the Art and Design Department is to foster a creative environment and cultivate future generations of artists, designers, and cultural producers who share an appreciation for innovation and an understanding of the importance of the arts within their local and global communities.

Philosophy

As a department, our instructors emphasize:

foundational skills
the creative process as part of a sustained practice
research to enrich and inform the creative process
professional development opportunities

Course of Study

Students learn how to see more closely and articulate their observations during their foundational year. As students explore new materials and techniques, practice and research are highlighted as integral parts of the creative process. Students are challenged to think critically and creatively while they are connected to professional artists, designers, organizations, and institutions outside of our program.

Art, B.A.

The Art program places a particular emphasis on the history and context of art, weaving contemporary visual culture together within the world around us. The plan of study begins with a solid foundation of art and design theory and practice. Beyond the traditional media of drawing, painting, and sculpture, students explore contemporary approaches in digital, video, and experimental media. This individualized research-driven curriculum allows students to design a unique course of study that connects to other disciplines. Graduates are prepared to continue their studio-based career with an emphasis on contemporary and conceptual practices.

Graphic Design, B.F.A., General Concentration

The Graphic Design program educates and trains designers who enrich society by creating culturally significant forms of communication and experiences. Students build their knowledge of graphic design through a diverse curriculum that includes coursework in design history, theory, process, and practice. Graduates of our program find themselves to be versatile and well-rounded artists and designers. Through the exploration of a wide range of contemporary issues, graduates take their places as leaders in the industry while securing successful and fulfilling careers.

Graphic Design, B.F.A., Digital Art and Design Concentration

The Digital Arts and Design program places emerging technology at the forefront of creative practice. Students explore connections between traditional artistic methodology and contemporary production methods. Within this unique practice, students attempt to question the role of design within the changing cultural, psychological, and economic forces of the emerging Creative Economy. Though experimental in nature, the program draws from the arts, politics, and literature while fostering a critical approach to problem solving. The Digital Arts and Design program is embedded within the greater New Haven area's creative community, insuring a rich collaboration so graduates are well equipped to embrace emerging creative professional practices.

Illustration, B.F.A.

The Illustration program is built on traditional observational and manual skills of art making. This foundational study and its historical connections are integrated with contemporary practice, conceptual thinking, and technology. Students explore a wide range of media while developing an individual language of visual communication. Through a diverse range of special topics, Illustration courses-complemented by offerings in art, graphic design, digital art, and virtual design-allow students to curate distinctive research objectives that lead to a highly unique portfolio. With an emphasis on professional development, our graduates make connections to professional artists, designers, organizations, and institutions as they develop their senior thesis projects and exhibition.

Interior Design, B.F.A., General Concentration and Pre-architecture Concentration

Interior designers create spaces that are personal, functional, and beautiful. Good design anticipates the needs of people in the spaces where they live, work, play, and even heal. Interior design students learn how design impacts the experience of a space and how to design to affect the quality of the experience as well as health, wellbeing, and safety. Our interior design program is built on the skills to design interior space and meet the needs of people within the built environment. This foundational study and its historical context are integrated with the design process, structural requirements, health and safety issues, and technical knowledge. Students explore a wide range of commercial and residential projects while developing expertise in designing for the human experience. With an emphasis on professional development, our graduates make connections to professional designers, organizations, and institutions while developing a highly unique portfolio.

Minors

Art Minor

Digital Art and Design Minor

Graphic Design Minor

Illustration Minor

Photography Minor