BFA in Electronic Design & Multimedia

The B.F.A. in Electronic Design and Multimedia is a professional specialization in design for print and interactive media which integrates a variety of digital media into all stages of design and production. This 75-credit program emphasizes a foundation in the principles of basic design as the prerequisite to intensive studio practice in design and imaging for a variety of visual communications media.

The program builds skills in typography, design, and imaging. Using the industry standards in hardware and software, students gain practice in both concept and production. Students are encouraged to gain practical experience through internships and freelance projects. With access to the traditional publishing and design centers, CCNY’s students have entree to the resources of New York City’s vast publishing and multimedia industries through industry partnerships.

Visit Electronic Design & Multimedia website to learn more about the BFA program.

Students seeking admission must present a portfolio for review by the admissions committee. The portfolio should demonstrate aptitude; finished, professional work is not a criterion. The committee is looking for raw ability, talent and motivation. Students lacking a portfolio may enter the College in the B.A. program, and may apply to the B.F.A. at a later time.

BFA Application Form

In addition to the 75-credit major, students do a Thesis in which they develop a sustained individual project in a major area of concentration (print, Internet, multimedia). This semester-long project is designed to encourage extended development and the synthesis of communication skills and related design disciplines. The final requirement for graduation, the thesis project will be presented in an exhibition.

Graduation check form 

The program builds skills in typography, design, and imaging. Using the industry standards in hardware and software, students gain practice in both concept and production. Students are encouraged to gain practical experience through internships and freelance projects. With access to the traditional publishing and design centers, CCNY’s students have entree to the resources of New York City’s vast publishing and multimedia industries through industry partnerships.

Visit Electronic Design & Multimedia website to learn more about the BFA program.

Students seeking admission must present a portfolio for review by the admissions committee. The portfolio should demonstrate aptitude; finished, professional work is not a criterion. The committee is looking for raw ability, talent and motivation. Students lacking a portfolio may enter the College in the B.A. program, and may apply to the B.F.A. at a later time.

BFA Application Form

In addition to the 75-credit major, students do a Thesis in which they develop a sustained individual project in a major area of concentration (print, Internet, multimedia). This semester-long project is designed to encourage extended development and the synthesis of communication skills and related design disciplines. The final requirement for graduation, the thesis project will be presented in an exhibition.

Graduation check form 

Requirements

Department Core

These courses must be taken as prerequisites before taking additional Art courses:

  • 3 credits each | 9 credits total
  • ART 10000: Intro to the Visual Arts of the World (Core Credit)
  • ART 10100: 2D Design
  • ART 21000: Writing About Art (Core Credit)

Courses

Required Studio Courses

Choose one 2D Course:

  • 3 credits each | 3 credits total
  • ART 10200: Introduction to Drawing
  • ART 10300: Introduction to Printmaking
  • ART 10400: Introduction to Photography
  • ART 10500: Introduction to Painting

Choose one 3D Course:

  • 3 credits each | 3 credits total
  • ART 10600: Introduction to Sculpture
  • ART 10700: Introduction to Ceramic Design
  • ART 10800: Introduction to Wood Design
  • ART 10900: 3D Design

Art History

ART 21067 History of Design or ART 21068 History of Graphic Design plus three more Art History courses. The four Art History courses should cover at least three of the following subject groups:

PLUS choose one course from Group I and two courses from Group II (9 credits):

  • Group I: Visual Arts of the Ancient to Early Modern Worlds
  • Options include: 21012: Egyptian Art and Architecture, 21014: Greek and Roman Art, 21022: Romanesque and Gothic Art, 21024: Italian Renaissance Art and Architecture, 21025: Northern Renaissance Art, 21026: Baroque and Rococo Art in Europe, 21043: Ancient Art of Meso-America, the Andes, and the Caribbean, 21052: Islamic Art, 21053: Art of India and Southeast Asia, 21054: Art of China, Japan, and Korea, 21062: History of Art I, 31116: Artists of Royal India
  •  
  • Group II: Visual Arts of the Modern World
  • Options include: 21030: Nineteenth Century Art in Europe, 21032: American Art 1776-1900, 21036: Early Modern Art in Europe and the U.S., 21038: Postwar Art in the U.S. and Europe, 21044: Art of Native North America, 21064: History of Art II, 21067: History of Design, 21068: History of Graphic Design, 21069: Art Criticism, 21070: Topics in “Outsider” Art, 31012: Arts of Africa, 31013: Contemporary Arts of Africa, 31030: Modern Art in Latin America, 31031: Modern Mexican Art, 31032: Contemporary Art in Latin America, 31034: History of Photography, 31038: Art Since 1980, 31111: Asian Art Since 1900, 31106: Identity Issues in Modern Art, 31118: Themes and Methods of African Arts, 31509: Display in African Arts, 31570: “Outsider” Art Environments

EDM BFA Major Requirements

  • ART 29500: Typography [3 cr]
  • ART 29510: Graphic Design Concepts [3 cr]
  • ART 29520: Illustration 1 [3 cr]
  • ART 29526: Computer Imaging and Illustration [3 cr]
  • ART 39500: Electronic Design [3 cr]
  • ART 39512: Digital Media Production [3 cr]
  • ART 39540: Design for the World Wide Web I [3 cr]
  • ART 39560: Digital Video [3 cr]
  • ART 39590: Critical Issues in Design, Technology and New Media [3 cr]
  • ART 49590: Digital Design Portfolio [3 cr]
  • ART 49598: Senior Thesis [6 cr]
  • ART 39520: Illustration 2 [3 cr]
  • ART 39522: Vector Illustration [3 cr]
  • ART 39544: User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) Design [3 cr]
  • ART 39552: Programming for Artists [3 cr]
  • ART 49568: Concept Research [3 cr]
  • ART 49580: Game Workshop [3 cr]

Choose five EDM electives

Choose any five (5) studio and design electives at the 20000-level or above. Possible electives include (but are not limited to): 

  • ART 29530: Digital Photo 1 [3 cr]
  • ART 39500: Typography 2 [3 cr]
  • ART 39528: 2D Animation Principles [3 cr]
  • ART 39530: Digital Photo 2 [3 cr]
  • ART 39570: 3D Imaging 1 [3 cr]
  • ART 49510: Electronic Design 2 [3 cr]
  • ART 49518: Publishing Projects [3 cr]
  • ART 49528: Topics in Animation [3 cr]
  • ART 49540: Design for the Web 2 [3 cr]
  • ART 49552: Topics in Web Programming [3 cr]
  • ART49560: Digital Video 2 [3 cr]
  • ART 49558: Multimedia Projects [3 cr]
  • ART 49570: 3D Imaging 2 [3 cr] 

Total Art Credits: 75

Hello Art Students:

Undergraduate art majors and minors, please schedule an advisement appointment with our art academic advisor, Lily Ivanov, through EAB Navigate (https://ccny-cuny.campus.eab.com/pal/Qka05gkOgs) to select your classes for the Spring and Summer 2025 terms if you have not done so already. 

According to the Academic Calendar, Spring and Summer 2025 registration opened on October 30th. Please check your CUNYFirst account for the enrollment date and time the college assigned you. 

For advisement about general education (Pathways or College Option) courses, please make an appointment with a Humanities and the Arts advisor on EAB Navigate. 

Link to DegreeWorks: https://degreeworks.cuny.edu/​

Link to iDeclare: https://central.ccny.cuny.edu/ideclare/index.php

Link to Art Major Concentrations & Minors Information

https://art.ccny.cuny.edu/main/programs/

CUNY Global Class Search (to check current open course sections): https://globalsearch.cuny.edu/CFGlobalSearchTool/search.jsp

For general Art Department inquiries, email or call 212-650-7420. Art Department Faculty & Staff emails can be found here & here.

Reminder: It is critical that you use your CCNY email accounts to receive instructions from your professors, CCNY and CUNY. Please also check your courses on Blackboard; announcements from individual professors may be posted there or sent to your CCNY email account.

(Updated 11/12/24)


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