Apr 27, 2024

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Digital Media Design, B.S.

The B.S. degree program in Digital Media Design offers students an intensive digital media curriculum at a pre-professional level. This degree is available to students who plan to undertake careers in practical and commercial applications of digital design and related technologies involved in the creation and use of digital imagery.

Admission into the Major

Students who want to major in Digital Media Design must first be admitted into the program. Due to the competitive nature of this program, early applications are encouraged.

Freshman Candidates

File a University application with the Office of Undergraduate Admission and the University Registrar by university scheduled dates for fall or spring admission in the year which the student wants to begin the program. For fall admission, applicants must register for and take any standardized tests required by UK on or before the December test date.
Apply for admission to the Digital Media Design program using the Digital Media Design Admission Application Form. Requirements are available on the school web site.
The Digital Media Design Admission Application Form will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled, so early applications are encouraged.

Transfer Candidates

File a University application with the Office of Undergraduate Admission and the University Registrar by university scheduled date for fall or spring admission in the year which the student wants to begin the program.
Apply for admission to the Digital Media Design program using the Digital Media Design Admission Application Form. Requirements are available on the school web site.
The Digital Media Design Admission Application Form will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled, so early applications are encouraged.

Change of Major Candidates

Apply for admission to the Digital Media Design program using the Digital Media Design Admission Application Form. Requirements are available on the school web site.
The Digital Media Design Admission Application Form will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled, so early applications are encouraged.

Major Admission Selection Process

Candidates will be admitted to the major in order of priority based on demonstrated potential for academic achievement at the freshman level as indicated by high school grade-point average and/or college grade-point average, ACT/SAT scores (if applicable), and the quality of the required application. Any additional or optional items for consideration will be in the Digital Media Design Admission Application Form. Acceptance will be on a comparative and competitive basis and limited to the number of students the School of Art and Visual Studies: Digital Media Design is able to accommodate in studio.

Students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Design must complete the following:

College Requirements

Music, Theatre and/or Arts Administration Credit(s): 6
plus 39 hours at 300-level or above

Subtotal: College Required hours: 6

UK Core Requirements

See the UK Core section of this Catalog for the complete UK Core requirements . The courses listed below are (a) recommended by the college, or (b) required courses that also fulfill UK Core areas. Students should work closely with their advisor to complete the UK Core requirements.

I. Intellectual Inquiry in Arts and Creativity

Foundations courses will fulfill this requirement Credit(s): 3

II. Intellectual Inquiry in the Humanities

Foundations courses will fulfill this requirement Credit(s): 3

UK Core hours: 30

Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement (GCCR)

ART 302 - INDUSTRY PATHWAYS AND PRACTICE Credit(s): 3

Subtotal: GCCR hours: 3

DMDE Foundations Requirements

Progression Requirement

Students must have earned at least a letter grade of C in each of the premajor foundation courses to progress to major status.

Residency Requirement

Students are required to complete a minimum of two semesters at UK following admission into the B.S. program.

To finish the DMDE degree in 4 years, students will take 2 courses with the A-S prefix per semester. Students are allowed a maximum of 3 courses with the A-S prefix per semester.

Students may request special permission to register for a 4th A-S course in one semester by petitioning the SA/VS Director of Undergraduate Studies. These petitions will be granted in extenuating circumstances only.

Section 1

A-S 101 Creativity Practices or SA/VS designated section of UK 101 Academic Orientation or UK 201 Academic Orientation for Transfer Students as directed by your advisor (taken first semester) Credit(s): 1

Section 2

A-S 102 - 2D Credit(s): 3
A-S 103 - 3D Credit(s): 3
A-S 130 - DRAWING Credit(s): 3
A-S 200 - DIGITAL ART Credit(s): 3
A-S 285 - LENS ARTS Credit(s): 3
A-S 001 - FOUNDATION EXHIBITION Credit(s): 0 *
*A-S 001 is offered spring semesters only and must be taken in the first spring semester as a DMDE major.

Section 3

6 hours visual studies course from approved list (A-H 101 Introduction to Visual Studies is recommended) Credit(s): 6

Foundation Exhibition

Each student in the Foundations Program must participate in the Foundations Exhibition during their first spring semester. Students will submit one work of their own selection from their foundation’s course work for the exhibition, present it professionally, and provide an accompanying artist’s statement. Participation in this exhibition is required and is tracked in *A-S 001 - FOUNDATIONS EXHIBITION .

Subtotal: Foundation hours: 22

Major Requirements

Studio Requirements:

A minimum of 9 Art Studio courses at the 300 level or above, of which at least 6 are digital-based (categories include printmedia, digital photography, graphic design, video, web-based art, 3-D fabrication, digital illustration, animation and VR, among others) Credit(s): 27

Career Pathway Core:

A-S 547 - DIGITAL MEDIA PROJECTS CAPSTONE Credit(s): 3
ART 302 - INDUSTRY PATHWAYS AND PRACTICE Credit(s): 3

Art History/Visual Culture:

At least 6 hours of art history, visual studies, film history or theory at or above the 300 level from approved list Credit(s): 6

Subtotal: Major hours: 39

All major requirements must be completed with a grade of C or better.

Required Outside Exploration

The Outside Exploration is a series of courses engaging with academic areas outside of SA/VS to inform and inspire work created in studio courses.

Each student, with the approval of his or her academic advisor, will select a minimum of 15 hours in exploratory course work.* 6 hours must be at 300 level or above.

Note: Students pursuing a B.S. degree in Digital Media Design may enroll in internships under one of the following course numbers: A-H 399 , A-S 399 , EXP 396 , and EXP 397 (learning contract required). Up to 6 internship credit hours may be used towards the outside exploration with Director of Undergraduate Studies approval.

*UK CORE and College of Fine Arts Requirement classes do not count towards the Outside Exploration.

Subtotal: Required for Outside Exploration: 15

All required outside concentration requirements must be completed with a grade of C or better.

Electives

Students must complete at least 8 hours of free electives.