university of florida - school of art & art history

The Digital Media area at UF provides students with the opportunities to explore the possibilities of creating artwork using emerging technologies within the context of a hand-on studio art environment. Students learn to synthesize ideas from the disciplines of art, science and critical theory. The program seeks to develop critical thinkers who understand the broader social and theoretical implications of digital media and use this knowledge to inform and frame their artistic practice. The program recognizes that art produced in a digitally mediated society requires a breadth of understanding that spans multiple disciplines, and places value on ideas rather than tools.

Digital media are rapidly evolving. At UF, we encourage students to challenge and advance the definition of digital media while developing a theoretical and critical basis for action. The undergraduate curriculum exposes students to digital imaging, computer programming, web design, digital video, animation, interactivity, gaming, installation, simulation, information visualization and special topics in emerging technologies and art forms. With a focus on transdisciplinary practice, students are required to take elective courses in the School of Art and Art History and strongly encouraged to avail themselves of the rich selection of elective courses in the many other disciplines that contribute to the fabric of digital media. In their senior year, students integrate what they have learned, and focus on the creation of a clearly defined work of art using digital media.

The focus of the Digital Media Art program at UF emphasizes the conceptual and experimental aspects of integrating technology in art practice. The program prepares students to become artists and creators of knowledge who are able to move beyond technical expertise, creating work with imagination and ingenuity, and transcending our previously considered notions of art. Although students acquire technical skills that are valued in a commercial context, Digital Media is not a vocational training program. Because of the dynamic nature of technology, we teach students to pursue their artistic vision by internalizing a framework and methodology that constructs a practice designed for growth and success as artists/researchers regardless of their career trajectories.

Facilities and Equipment

Undergraduate students are expected to have a Macintosh laptop equipped with software and hardware appropriate to their course of work. The University of Florida Digital Media program also provides a state of the art multi-media and digital video editing facility available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The 20-seat lab is equipped with Macintosh Dual processor G-5 computers with dual layer DVD burning support. Software includes latest versions of industry standard software such as, Photoshop, Flash, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Go Live and more. Lab input devices include 2 flatbed scanners and 2 film scanners. Output includes an Epson 4800 printer and Epson 9600 wide format printer. In addition to this, an equipment checkout cage is available on the weekdays. Equipment includes 3chip mini DV cameras, single chip DV cameras, DVD players, video projectors, video monitors, 5.1 sound receivers, microphones and speakers. Equipment is checked out on a 24 -hour basis.

Faculty

Katerie Gladdys

Jack Stenner

Course Descriptions

Academic Learning Compacts

Portfolio Recommendations