The 3D Digital Design Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree program at RIT focuses on preparing students to create 3D assets for games, VR, simulations, and more. The program emphasizes industry networking, accelerated degree options, alumni relationships, and STEM-OPT visa eligibility.
3D digital designers use their passion to create virtual elements featured in everything from games and movies to visualizations and augmented reality. Vehicles, avatars, lighting, and environments are all designed to imagine something new, visualize an idea, or simulate a process. As you progress through the program you will discover new applications for your skills in creating with this advanced software. On your first day in the program, you begin learning and using the same software that professionals use in related fields. As a program in a university setting, ample opportunity exists to collaborate with engineers, musicians, scientists, animators, and medical professionals which means that you will have opportunities to put your 3D design abilities to use while you are at RIT and when you graduate.
From day one, students in the 3D digital design major use professional 3D software in game design, virtual reality, medical and scientific simulations, data visualization, models for architects and engineers, movies, motion or broadcast graphics, instructional media, and more. In addition to the 3D software, students use motion and facial capture, projection mapping, and 3D printing. Traditional design skills are augmented with principles of time, motion, lighting, rendering, and compositing to create inspiring projects. Alumni work in top companies around the country and the world applying the skills they have learned to design solutions to all kinds of problems.
Students in the 3D digital design major may choose from two options to further enhance their major.
The game arts option focuses on the creation of visual elements and assets for a wide range of game platforms. The option allows you to pursue creative interests in game arts, from designing virtual elements and lighting to animated characters and backgrounds.
The 3D visualization option gives you the flexibility to pursue a broad range of applications that use digital design as the platform for 3D content creation. The option emphasizes creation and simulation of environments and objects for virtual spaces for a growing number of real-world opportunities.
Today’s careers require advanced degrees grounded in real-world experience. RIT’s Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years of study, all while gaining the valuable hands-on experience that comes from co-ops, internships, research, study abroad, and more.
+1 MBA: Students who enroll in a qualifying undergraduate degree have the opportunity to add an MBA to their bachelor’s degree after their first year of study, depending on their program. Learn how the +1 MBA can accelerate your learning and position you for success.
| AR/VR Designer | Architectural Modeler |
| Character Artist/Designer | CG Artist |
| Concept Artist | Digital Art Designer |
| Digital Asset Designer | Digital Sculptor |
| Environment Designer | Forensic Artist |
| Game Designer | Game Developer |
| Level Designer | Lighting Technical Director (TD) |
| Motion Graphics Artist | Rigger |
| Special Effects Artist | Technical Artist |
| Texture Artist | User Interface Artist |
| Visualization Artist |
What’s different about an RIT education? It’s the career experience you gain by completing cooperative education and internships with top companies in every single industry. You’ll earn more than a degree. You’ll gain real-world career experience that sets you apart.
Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. Your art and design co-ops will provide hands-on experience that enables you to apply your artistic capabilities in dynamic professional settings while you make valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.
Students in the 3D digital design degree are strongly encouraged to complete a cooperative education or internship experience.
RIT’s Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education hosts Creative Industry Day, which connects students majoring in art, design, film and animation, photography, and select computing majors with companies, organizations, creative agencies, design firms, and more. You’ll be able to network with company representatives and interview directly for open co-op and permanent employment positions.
