The undergraduate digital arts and design curriculum at Full Sail University places a strong emphasis on graphic design and media. It's designed to help students learn to create art for TV commercials, films, mobile applications, social media, and a variety of other digital platforms.

Part 1 of the Curriculum

The first half of the digital arts and design area of study gives students a foundation in design through hands-on projects in real-world environments. Students work in art studios that emulate creative industry workspaces to learn the elements of drawing, painting, and industry-standard tech, like Illustrator and Photoshop.

In these courses, students also gain experience with photography and video techniques and learn the importance of color theory and typography. These are all critical skills to develop before moving into the second half of the curriculum.

Part 2 of the Curriculum

At the beginning of this portion of their studies, students learn how to create motion graphics using the software and techniques used by design and animation companies. Then, they'll learn to bring their designs to life using 2D and 3D animation. In this dynamic area of design, students will learn the skills they need to create art for TV commercials, films, social media, and mobile apps.

"You will take on a great deal of work during this segment of the program," says Eric, "but seeing your ideas in motion will bring you a greater sense of accomplishment and pride in your craft."

Portfolio Courses

Throughout the digital arts and design area of study, students will create work that contributes to their professional portfolio. With seven project and portfolio courses, they'll build on their skills and refine their illustrations, brands, and layouts to create a body of work they can show potential employers.

"As a digital arts designer, you'll be expected to use a variety of technology in your courses and in the industry," says Eric. This coursework is designed to help students become experts in industry-standard software like the Adobe Creative Cloud, including these programs:

• Illustrator
• Photoshop
• InDesign
• Audition
• Premiere
• After Effects

"We also encourage you to experiment with new technologies," says Eric. "Design gets really interesting when you start combining tech in new ways."

Advice for Designers

Manage Your Time

"Learning how to effectively allocate your time to meet deadlines is essential to becoming a respected designer," says Eric.

At Full Sail, courses are accelerated to help students get firsthand experience in a fast-paced, creative environment. Eric encourages students to plan time outside of class carefully so they can work on projects, complete portfolios, and study professional designs.

Love What You Do

"Lead with your passions and have fun with your projects," says Eric.

He recommends looking into job postings for career titles that resonate. Look for design and motion graphic projects that excite you, then align your time at Full Sail and your portfolio projects with those goals.

"Embrace your curiosity, dive into new things, and create something amazing," he says. "We'll be here to guide you every step of the way."

Graphic Design vs. Digital Arts & Design

Trying to decide which educational option is right for you? The digital arts and design and graphic design areas of study may seem similar at first, but there are some key differences.

Digital arts and design focuses on motion graphics and 2D and 3D animations. It sets you up to work with established brands to bring them the digital art they are looking for. In graphic design, students focus on things like branding, user experience, and interactive media. Studying graphic design is more appropriate for those looking to work with brands from the ground up to establish their look and feel.