Computer Art Degrees: What Coursework is Included in a Typical Computer Art Program?

 What Does Computer Art Mean?

Computer art is any type of art produced with the aid of a computer. With computer art, the computer’s capability as a means to manipulate art in distinctive ways is emphasized. The end result is typically a style or design that cannot be achieved by any other means. Computer art comes in two forms including interactive and non-interactive. Although both forms have an audience, only one form—interactive, requires audience participation in order to realize the full potential and depth of the piece.

Coursework for Computer Art Programs

Computer art degree programs are not as readily available as other programs, such as animation, but this is mostly the case at traditional colleges. Many art, design, and technical schools offer undergraduate degrees in this area. A number of specialty schools such as New Media colleges, Visual Arts schools, and Computer Animation and Graphic Design schools offer certificates, 2-year, and 4-year degrees in computer art. Overall, these programs offer similar curriculums with requirements ranging from drawing to visual effects.

Computer art students are usually required to take courses such as Drawing (2 levels), 3D Computer Animation, Computer Animation: 3D Modeling and Animation (four levels), Visual Effects and Motion Graphics (4 levels), Modern and Contemporary Art (2 levels), History of Animation (2 levels), and History of Film (2 levels). Students will also take a number of computer software courses such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Apple Final Cut Studio, and Adobe After Effects.

Literature and Writing, Narrative Workshop, Scripting for artists, Sound and Vision, and even Business course may also be on the menu. Many computer artists are self-employed, so courses such as “The Business of Being an Artist” may come in handy.

What Can I do with a Degree in Computer Art?

There are many career options for talented artists that hold a degree in computer art. Popular careers include animator, multimedia designer, web designer, illustrator, and graphic designer. Computer artists also have the skills needed to work become web developers, website architects, user interface specialists, web multimedia specialists, business graphics specialists, scientific graphics specialists, and multimedia computer graphics specialists.

In the world of display art, computer artists may work as artist assistants, gallery assistants, display artists, or experimental artists. Many computer artists are self-employed and may work in multiple areas.