Art and Design

Chair: Jamie Lynn Slenker, M.F.A.

Coordinators: Art, Joseph Smolinski, M.F.A.; Foundations, Chelsea Rowe, M.F.A.; Graphic and Digital Design, Christopher Ritchie, M.F.A.; Interior Design, Stephen Charles Smith, M.S.AAD

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

Assistant Professor: John Arabolos, M.F.A., Pratt Institute

Distinguished Lecturer: Joseph Smolinski, M.F.A., University of Connecticut

Senior Lecturer: Stephen Charles Smith, M.S.AAD, Columbia University

Lecturer: Christopher Ritchie, M.F.A., School of Visual Arts

Practitioners In Residence: Chelsea Rowe, M.F.A., Maryland Institute College of Art; Eugene Mayer, B.F.A., Pratt Institute; Victoria Hunt, M.Arch., University of Hartford; Chad Greenlee, M.Arch., Yale 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 and Creative Technology, B.A.

This 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 and Digital Design, B.F.A.

The Graphic and Digital Design program educates and trains designers who enrich society by creating culturally significant forms of communication and experiences. Students build their knowledge of graphic and digital design through a diverse curriculum that includes coursework in design history, theory, process, and practice. They 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. The program draws from the arts, politics, and literature while fostering a critical approach to problem solving.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.

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