Study Art and Design Media on the Coast of Maine
Add new shades of expertise to your palette by blending the traditional with the contemporary. As an Art and Design Media major, you will experience the best of both worlds, merging study in classic studio arts, such as painting, drawing, and ceramics, with training in modern-day digital media, such as animation and 3D printing. Engage your creative side while learning real-world skills that are applicable across fields and disciplines. Make your “mark” at UNE.
Why UNE for Your B.A. in Art and Design Media
Whether your specialty is landscape painting or video production, we focus not just on the art itself but its impact on other disciplines, encouraging you to make connections between your personal experience and the arts, sciences, social sciences, and the environment.
- Intriguing internships
- Flexible curriculum allowing for double majors and minors
- Class sizes of 15 or smaller
- Emphasis on community engagement and local arts
- Access to medical and science faculty for study of scientific illustration
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration
B.A. in Art and Design Media Courses
There are many ways you can navigate the Art and Design Media major. The following are just some examples of the exciting courses that you can take:
- Drawing
- Ceramics
- Watercolor
- Landscape Painting
- Graphic Design
- Boat Building
- Scientific Illustration
- Digital Animation
- Photography
Curriculum
| CAS Core Curriculum | Credits |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 42–43 |
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| ARH 210 – Art History Survey I or ARH 211 – Art History Survey II or ARH 270 – Art in the Modern World | 3 |
| ART 104 – Painting I | 3 |
| ART 113 – Three Dimensional Fundamentals | 3 |
| ART 118 – Drawing & Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| ART 200 – Advanced Drawing | 3 |
| ART 214 – Color Digital Photography or CMM 300 – Documentary Video or CMM 311 – Digital Video Production or WRT 304 – Read & Write in Digital Environments | 3 |
| ART 230 – Graphic Design | 3 |
| ART 395 – Studio Concentration Seminar | 3 |
| LIL 420 – Arts & Humanities Capstone | 3 |
| Three (3) credits of elective coursework from List A (below) | 3 |
| Six (6) credits of elective coursework from either List A or List B | 6 |
| Total Credits | 36 |
| Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits) | Variable |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 120 |
|---|
Electives
| List A – Elective Options | Credits |
|---|---|
| ART 101 – Watercolor | 3 |
| ART 102 – Photography | 3 |
| ART 105 – Elements of Acting | 3 |
| ART 108 – Boatbuilding | 3 |
| ART 109 – T-Shirt Design | 3 |
| ART 110 – Ceramics | 3 |
| ART 111 – Scientific Illustration | 3 |
| ART 114 – Printmaking | 3 |
| ART 124 – The Painted Book | 3 |
| ART 130 – Art of the Letter | 3 |
| ART 199 – Topics Course (any media) | 3 |
| ART 207 – Landscape Painting | 3 |
| ART 214 – Color Digital Photography | 3 |
| ART 234 – Digital Animation | 3 |
| ART 299 – Advanced Topics in Arts | 3 |
| ART 324 – The Painted Book 3D | 3 |
| ART 401 – Creative/Fine Arts Internship | 3 |
| List B – Elective Options | Credits |
|---|---|
| CMM 210 – Understanding Media | 3 |
| CMM 300 – Photo and Video Documentation | 3 |
| CMM 311 – Digital Video and Audio Production | 3 |
| CMM 430 – Internship in Communication | 3 |
| HIS 345 – Museums & Public History | 3 |
| LIL 120 – Introductory Arts & Humanities Seminar | 3 |
| WRT 111 – Topics in Creative Writing | 3 |
| WRT 211 – Creative Writing: Poetry | 3 |
| WRT 212 – Creative Writing: Short Fiction | 3 |
| WRT 304 – Read & Write in Digital Environments | 3 |
| WRT 312 – Fiction Writing Workshop | 3 |
| WRT 317 – Proposal and Grant Writing | 3 |
An average GPA of 2.0 or higher is required for this degree.
View the Suggested Progression for Art and Media Majors (PDF)
Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.
To learn more about the program visit the Academic Catalog.
Changes were made to this program in an addendum to the 2022/23 academic calendar. Please see the 2022–2023 Catalog Addendum (PDF) for the most recent information. As always, it is recommended that students seek the guidance of Academic Advisors for course and program planning. In this way, you will be able to access all the most up-to-date information available.
Discover UNE’s Art Programs
Career Paths for Art and Design Media Majors
As an Art and Design Media major, you will master technical skills in centuries-old crafts as well as cutting-edge modern applications. In addition, you will develop a flair for self-expression, a talent for interpreting complex ideas, and dexterity in adopting different perspectives – skills that transcend job categories and will help distinguish you in a wide array of professions.
Our graduates have pursued many fascinating professions, including:
- Graphic Designer
- Digital Animator
- Photographer
- Arts Educator
- Web Designer
- Fine Artist
- Video Producer
- Illustrator
- Ceramicist
Career Advising for B.A. in Art and Design Media Students
Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.
Tour the Art and Design Media Facilities
Explore Art Studio Spaces With UNE Students Johnna and Will
Learn about the different studio spaces along with the ceramics, printmaking, and digital photography lab in the Creative and Fine Arts facility.
Experiential Learning in the Bachelor's Degree in Art and Design Media Program
Get out your smock because we don’t teach art and design from a textbook. Our classes emphasize hands-on, real-world learning that stirs your imagination, ignites your creativity, and prepares you for a successful professional career. At the easel, in the darkroom, by the potter’s wheel, or with your computer, get ready to create your future.
Internships for Art and Design Media Majors
Internships provide valuable field experience, giving you an opportunity to explore career options and network with professionals. You may intern near campus during the academic year or in your hometown over the summer.
Our students have held internships in many exciting positions, such as:
- Graphic Designer
- Editorial Art Assistant
- Photography Aide
- Assistant Music Teacher
- Gallery Assistant
For more information email the Academic and Career Advising Center at advising@jmswierski.com.
Opportunities for Art and Design Media Students
Art Gallery
The Art Gallery on UNE's Portland Campus houses a permanent collection of paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculptures by nationally and internationally renowned artists. It mounts six exhibitions each year in a variety of media that ranges from contemporary fine art to photography, to international themes, to works by women and by Maine artists.
From June through October, the gallery presents an Annual Sculpture Garden around its exterior. On occasion, different exhibitions are arranged at other locations on our Portland and Biddeford campuses.
Events
The Office of Student Affairs collaborates with our Art programs to bring a variety of arts events to the Biddeford Campus, ranging from lunchtime concerts at the Alfond Cafe to poetry readings, to gallery exhibits at the Campus Center and Engine gallery in downtown Biddeford.
Portland Art Scene
Portland's art scene includes the Portland Museum of Art, SPACE Gallery, and numerous private and nonprofit art galleries.
Apply Today
Ready to begin your future in UNE’s B.A. in Art and Design Media degree program? Get started today.
Art and Design Media FAQ
What is a degree in art and design?
A degree in art and design allows you to engage your creative side while learning real-world skills that are applicable across fields and disciplines. The two most common types of degrees are a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). A B.F.A. degree usually requires more credit hours of visual arts coursework while a B.A. degree lends more easily to the combination of multiple majors and coursework in a liberal arts setting. A B.A. program caters to students who may want a greater degree of career flexibility.
UNE offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Art and Design Media. Our major masters technical skills in centuries-old crafts as well as cutting-edge modern applications. This includes study in classic studio arts, such as painting, drawing, and ceramics, with training in modern-day digital media, such as animation and 3D printing.
Learn more about UNE’s B.A. in Art and Design Media degree program
What can you do with an art and design degree?
Students who pursue degrees in art and design are prepared for careers in established or emerging industries such as animation, fine arts, graphic design, illustration, photography, and web media.
Graduates of UNE’s B.A. in Art and Design Media degree program in Maine have pursued careers as graphic designers, digital animators, photographers, arts educators, web designers, fine artists, video producers, illustrators, and ceramicists.
As an Art and Design Media student at UNE, you will have the ability to work with our Academic and Career Advising Center. It doesn’t matter if you have a clear career goal or just a general interest in a field.
Is a degree in art and design worth it?
A degree in art and design is great if you want to turn your passion for art, communications, design, and technology into a career. Similar to all academic majors, the value of a degree in art and design can be measured in many ways. Below are a few benefits to earning an art and design degree:
- Building your creative skills through classwork, studio courses, and internships, helps you put all of your knowledge into practice.
- Taking a range of art courses from traditional to contemporary prepares you to be flexible for your future art and design career.
- Creating opportunities through experiential learning, internships, networking, and connections with faculty, students, and alumni.
Skills learned while earning a degree in art and design can transcend job categories and will help distinguish you in a wide array of professions. Art and design majors commonly work as arts educators, digital animators, graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, and video producers.
What are the requirements for a degree in art and design?
Requirements for a degree in art and design vary by school. At UNE, an average GPA of 2.0 or higher is required for the B.A. in Art and Design Media. Students must complete all College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Core Requirements, required art courses, and open electives.
The 36 credits required of an art media major allow you the possibility to double major in biology, English, history, political science, or psychology, just to name a few. Students can also earn a minor in art therapy. You can also take three (3) credit internships in art and/or communications organizations as part of your course of study. A UNE faculty member will work with you to facilitate this option.
How long does a degree in art and design take?
If you’re earning a bachelor’s degree in art and design, it typically takes four years of full-time study and requires a minimum of 120 credits. There are also two-year, 60-credit associate degree programs out there that can give you introductory instruction in important visual art and design techniques.
UNE’s B.A. in Art and Design Media program is 120 total credits, including 44 credits of open electives.
View UNE’s four-year Art and Design Media major suggested course progression (PDF)
What is the best art and design media degree for me?
Picking what to study is a personal choice and should match what you like, what you're good at, and what you want for a career path. Explore all options to find the art and design media program that is just right for you. Below are a few factors you should consider.
Faculty
What types of instructors will you be learning from and working with? UNE has an outstanding Art and Design Media faculty. As a student, you will work closely with nationally renowned artists, plus you’ll have access to medical and science faculty for the study of scientific illustration.
Meet faculty and professional staff in the School of Arts and Humanities
Students also enjoy small class sizes. UNE has a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio and design and art media classes are no larger than 15.
Learn more about some quick facts about UNE
Curriculum
Does the curriculum have multiple areas of study to allow you to customize your program and explore your interests? UNE’s Art and Design Media program has a flexible curriculum. This allows for double majors and minors, opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, and an emphasis on community engagement and local arts.
Learn more about UNE's art and design curriculum and see examples of available courses
UNE engages in experiential learning. Art and Design Media classes emphasize hands-on, real-world learning and internships provide valuable field experience, giving you an opportunity to explore career options and network with professionals.
Read testimonials from UNE art program students
Financial aid
Does the school you are considering offer financial aid or scholarships to help you in your education? A UNE education is very affordable. Our tuition is 16% below the average tuition for private universities in New England. All incoming full-time undergraduate students will receive Merit Scholarships in amounts from $5,000 to $22,000 per year.
Learn more about grants and scholarships available to undergraduate students at UNE
UNE's Student Financial Services comprises the Financial Aid and Student Accounts offices. Our program optimizes institutional and federal funds. To explore education funding options, contact us at sfs@jmswierski.com or (207) 602-2342 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Location and environment
Is it a collaborative atmosphere where you can learn from, yet compete with, your peers? Is there a prominent or burgeoning art scene nearby? UNE provides students with a variety of learning experiences with its three unique campuses; two Maine campuses in Biddeford and Portland plus a campus in Tangier, Morocco that is home to an innovative semester abroad program.
Learn more about study abroad opportunities at UNE
Portland's art scene includes the Portland Museum of Art, SPACE Gallery, and numerous private and nonprofit art galleries plus the Art Gallery on UNE's Portland Campus. Also, the Office of Student Affairs collaborates with our Art programs to bring a variety of arts events to the Biddeford Campus.
Career goals
Does the college or university offer advising to help you determine the right career path based on your interests and field of study? UNE offers Career Advising to help you plan your next step. 93% of bachelor’s degree graduates are employed or continuing higher education within six months to one year of graduating.
UNE's Art and Design Media program blends study in classic studio arts, such as painting, drawing, and ceramics, with training in modern-day digital media, such as animation and 3D printing. This program differs from the Art Education program which offers a blended curriculum of art skills and educational theory and practice. This program prepares students to become K-12 visual art teachers and includes the Maine State K-12 Visual Arts Teacher Certification Program. Both programs include art classes and the CAS Core Requirements.