Program Overview

Introduction to Digital Arts Program

The Digital Arts program at Bowling Green State University is a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree that combines artistic tradition with modern technology to create innovative and captivating art. The program is designed to be rigorous and immersive, helping students build a professional digital art portfolio.

Program Overview

The Digital Arts BFA program focuses on three areas:

• Animation (2D or 3D)
• Gaming and virtual environments
• Interdisciplinary

Graduates with a BFA in digital art are prepared for specialized digital artist jobs, including animators, game artists/designers, visual effects artists, character designers, 3D modelers, interactive simulation artists, serious game designers, and creative product designers.

Why Study Digital Arts at BGSU?

The Digital Arts program at BGSU offers several advantages, including:

• Outstanding faculty who are accomplished artists and highly skilled educators
• Growing demand for digital arts professionals, with salaries about 50% higher than the national average
• State-of-the-art studios and equipment, including digital art studio classrooms, video editing workstations, and 3D printers
• Opportunities for collaboration and connection with other artists through student organizations and community art outreach programs
• Study abroad programs in Florence, Italy, with grants and scholarships available

Career Paths

Graduates of the Digital Arts program can pursue a wide range of exciting and impactful careers, including:

• 2D or 3D animator
• Special effects artist
• Technical director
• Creative product designer
• Gameplay programmer
• Modeler
• Concept artist
• Digital illustrator
• Web design animator
• Motion graphics artist

Degree Options

The School of Art at BGSU offers several degree options in digital arts, including:

• BFA in digital art, with extensive in-depth study of digital arts and a heavy emphasis on art and technical skills
• Bachelor of Art (B.A.) in art with a specialization in digital arts, ideal for those looking for a broad liberal arts education with moderate depth of study in digital arts
• BFA in graphic design, for students primarily interested in graphic design jobs
• MFA in digital arts, a two-year degree program that opens the door to leadership, research, and teaching roles in computer animation, gaming, AI, physical computing, hybrid media, and more
• M.Des. in integrative design, a low-residency, online hybrid program for design professionals looking to broaden their professional skills and marketability
• Minor in digital arts, which can enhance career opportunities in complementary fields such as graphic design, marketing, education, or STEM professions

Curriculum

The digital arts BFA curriculum is designed to challenge, inspire, and prepare students with all the knowledge, skills, and connections they need to make their mark on the creative world. The curriculum includes courses in:

• Digital imaging
• Character design
• Visual storytelling
• Creative coding
• 3D modeling
• Theoretical, aesthetic, and cultural aspects of digital media
• Hands-on experience with advanced professional tools

Required Courses

The program requires a minimum of 122 credit hours, including 40 hours at the 3000/4000 level. Required courses include:

• Core art foundations (design, drawing, and media)
• Specialized coursework in the chosen area of focus (animation, gaming and virtual environments, or interdisciplinary learning)
• Senior capstone experience, including a senior studio course, a professional practices and presentation course, and a senior thesis

Sample Courses

Sample courses in the digital arts program include:

• 3D Digital Animation
• 3D Modeling
• Advanced Digital Imaging
• Art Studio Animation Effects