New Media Art

Career potential

The University of North Texas' College of Visual Arts and Design is one of the nation's most comprehensive visual arts schools, and it is considered one of the best in the Southwest. The programs in the school are grouped into three areas — art history and art education, design, and studio. New Media Art is among the programs in the college's studio division.

New Media Art brings together art and technology. Many careers are possible, including:

• Video game graphics designer
• Animator
• Educator

Most careers require a bachelor's degree, but teaching new media art at the college level requires a master's degree.

UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies, and interview preparation.

Majoring in new media art

UNT's New Media Art program introduces students to a wide array of technical, compositional, theoretical and critical art processes and techniques to conceive, implement and refine electronic or digital art experiences. The program emphasizes technology-based art that encompasses time based media, gaming, robotics, computational art, animation and programming for internet-based interactive experiences. Students work with state-of-the-art hardware and software to explore this emerging and transforming technology.

If you are interested in video game graphics or computer animation, a minor in computer science or computer engineering may be helpful. A portfolio is not required for admission to UNT or the College of Visual Arts and Design. At the end of your sophomore year, the new media art faculty will review your portfolio to determine whether you can continue in the program. You also must submit your work for a senior exit review. Further information regarding the reviews is available from the new media art faculty.

Continuing UNT students may apply for scholarships that are awarded by the College of Visual Arts and Design primarily on the basis of performance in the student's major. Academic scholarships are available through UNT's Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office.

Getting hands-on experience

The university is within easy commuting distance of Dallas and Fort Worth, where major art museums, galleries, the Dallas Apparel Mart and numerous advertising and interior design businesses may provide valuable resources and experiences for you.

Upon completion of 12 semester hours at UNT with at least a 2.5 GPA, you may work in a job related to your major through UNT's Cooperative Education and Internships office. This allows you to earn academic credit and money, while gaining valuable work experience.

Preparing for UNT: High school students

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science - economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign Language … 3 years
• Fine arts … 1 year

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

Preparing for UNT: Transfer students

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic advisor/ counselor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Charting your path with academic advising

You must attend an orientation to the College of Visual Arts and Design, which is held at about the same time as university orientation for new students or during registration at the start of each semester. Check the orientation website, www.unt.edu/orientation, for a schedule of freshman and transfer student orientations.

The College of Visual Arts and Design Student Services Office is located in the Art Building, Room 111.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.