Electronic Arts Degrees: What Coursework is included in a Typical Electronic Arts Program?

What Does Electronic Arts Mean?

The terms Electronic Arts, digital art, and computer art are basically interchangeable. All three art forms require the utilization of computers and computer software to create art. In most cases, electronic art is interactive.  In addition, electronic art may include everything from dance to performance to music. In fact, some of the earliest examples of electronic art can be found in music.

Coursework for Electronic Arts Programs

Because Electronic Arts, digital art, and computer art are so similar, training programs are typically the same. It’s not enough to have the creative talent to paint, sculpt, or illustrate. To enter the Electronic Arts field, you have to be computer savvy, you’ll have to know how to create electronic art for the web, (as a large percentage of it is created specifically for the Internet), and you have to catch on to multiple software programs rather quickly. Software programs used in the electronic arts industry include Lightwave, Photoshop, After Effects, Maya, Director, Dream Weaver and Flash.

There are a number of programs that can prepare you for a career in Electronic Arts. Some schools offer a B.A./B.S and/or a M.F.A. in Electronic Arts with a specific focus such as Visual Arts & Animation, Computer Music & Sound Art, or Video & Emerging Media, while others may offer a B.A./B.S in Film and Electronic Arts, a B.A/B.S  in Interaction Design and Electronic Arts (IDEA) or a B.S. in Computer Science with a focus in Electronic Arts. All programs are extremely competitive. In fact, many require a grade of B or better in three to four pre-admission classes before the department will even consider admitting students into the program. The courses are typically art, design, music, and media focused.

A typical B.A. in Electronic Arts program will require successful completion of courses in the areas of audio, video, multimedia, and computer animation. Required courses typically include: Advanced Audio Recording , Audio for Media, Cinematography and Editing, Computer Animation, Graphic Design Systems, Intro to Commercial Music, Intro to Digital Imaging, Multimedia Interactivity Design, Sound Editing & Mixing, and Web Design & Construction.

Students are also required to select a number of other courses with advisor approval. Depending on the path you wish to take, you may choose to take a large number of music-focused courses, film courses, animation courses or media-focused courses. Although an internship is optional, it is always a good idea to take advantage of any opportunity to work in the field before graduation.  

What Can I do with a Degree in Electronic Arts?

There are a number of career options for artists that hold a degree in Electronic Arts. The program prepares artists for entry into the computer animation industry, music recording, multimedia design, and audio and video production. Just a few job titles include animator, 3-D computer animator, animated cartoonist, 3-D graphics specialist, art director, audio visual artist, audio engineer, character animator, computer graphics specialist, effects animator, flash programmer, game designer, motion picture artist, multimedia developer, new media director, producer, video engineer, visual artist, visual systems designer,  or web writer.