Multimedia

Chris Garvin
garvin@uarts.edu
Director
215-717-6585

Multimedia students receive a broad education. With courses covering subjects ranging from Dada to interface design, pop art to punk rock, multimedia majors are encouraged to question, to experiment, and to push their talents to the limit–and beyond–using a variety of media. Their classrooms are both battlegrounds for new ideas and applications, and creative playgrounds. As might be expected in such a landscape, Multimedia students learn through play, hands-on experimentation, and practical application.

Using today’s technology, our students create e-music, movies, motion graphics, games, Websites, installations, and whatever their imaginations can envision, while working in an interactive and collaborative studio environment. As they refine their craft and learn how to become professionals in their field, students gain insights into the work they are doing and how it affects the world in which we live.

The curriculum is primarily non-sequential and evenly distributes studios, seminars, Liberal Arts courses and electives over the four-year program. Freshmen are introduced to the basic aesthetic and technical issues essential to multimedia. Students develop the ability to work collaboratively, learn design skills, develop facility in the use of digital tools, and understand the principles of music and of information management.

Built on that foundation, the Sophomore and Junior curriculum addresses in greater depth the components of multimedia. Students continue to take classes throughout the University following their own ideas and interests, broadening their skills, and feeding their major studios. Students refine their craft with advanced multimedia work in a project-based environment. A collection of courses in professional practice begins in the Sophomore year and extends through the Senior year. Taught by multimedia professionals, these courses address essential business skills and current industry issues in order to prepare students to pursue satisfying careers in their field of choice.

The Senior-year curriculum enables students to synthesize the concepts and techniques learned during the first three years in full-length, self-directed projects, preparing them for entry into the profession.

Graduates of the program often work in advertising, Web and product design, digital video, business, and the entertainment industries, while some choose to chart their own entrepreneurial path.

Professional Practice Sequence
MMDI 220 MMDI 320 and MMDI 420 make up the department’s Professional Practice sequence. These courses help students build and gauge their professional competence. All three courses include faculty juries, and students must pass each of the courses to continue moving on in the sequence and complete the degree.

Recommended elective courses, which satisfy the Multimedia Studio choice requirement:

CMMC 103 Sound Communication
CMMC 102 Video Production Workshop
MAFL 201 Introduction to Film
MAPH 201 Introduction to Photography
MAAN 232 2D Computer Animation
MMDI 405 Innovative Interfaces

Popular minors for Multimedia students include:

E-music
Game Design
Narrative Video
Photography
Strategic Advertising
Typography
Web Design and Development

Popular electives for Multimedia students include:

From the College of Media and Communication:

CMMC 311 Narrative Video Production
CMMC 350 Gender Images in Media
MMDI 241 Interactive Narrative
MMDI 499 Multimedia Internships
WRIT 253 History of Television

From the College of Performing Arts:

DAPF 830 Modern Dance Ensemble
MUNM 131 Composition for Non-Majors
MUNM 111 Guitar Class for Non-Majors
MUSC 461 Recording
THPD 123 Scene and Lighting Tech

From the College of Art and Design:

FAPR 212 Screen Printing
GDES 212 Typography Fundamentals
IDES 371 Architectonics
MACR 304 Image and Performance

From the Liberal Arts Department:

LAPR 951 Art, Media, and Society
LAPR 972 Women and Sex Roles
LASS 931 The City
LASS 876 Psychology and Creativity