B.A. in Art and Design Media

Study Art and Design Media on the Coast of Maine

Add new shades of expertise to your palette by blending the traditional with the contemporary. As an Art and Design Media major, you will experience the best of both worlds, merging study in classic studio arts, such as painting, drawing, and ceramics, with training in modern-day digital media, such as animation and 3D printing. Engage your creative side while learning real-world skills that are applicable across fields and disciplines. Make your “mark” at UNE.

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Two computer monitors display 3D renderings being worked on by U N E students

A student paints with a small paintbrush

Why UNE for Your B.A. in Art and Design Media

Whether your specialty is landscape painting or video production, we focus not just on the art itself but its impact on other disciplines, encouraging you to make connections between your personal experience and the arts, sciences, social sciences, and the environment.

Intriguing internships
Flexible curriculum allowing for double majors and minors
Class sizes of 15 or smaller
Emphasis on community engagement and local arts
Access to medical and science faculty for study of scientific illustration
Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration

The Art courses I took were not only informative and interesting, but also fun! As a lover of art, I was endlessly excited by the material my professors presented.

— Jamie Thompson

What will you study? Art and Design Media Degree Curriculum Overview

B.A. in Art and Design Media Courses

There are many ways you can navigate the Art and Design Media major. The following are just some examples of the exciting courses that you can take:

Drawing
Ceramics
Watercolor
Landscape Painting
Graphic Design
Boat Building
Scientific Illustration
Digital Animation
Photography

Curriculum

CAS Core Curriculum	Total Credits
Credits	42–43

CAS Core Curriculum	Credits
Total Credits	42–43

Program Required Courses	ARH 210 – Art History Survey I or ARH 211 – Art History Survey II or ARH 270 – Art in the Modern World
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	ART 104 – Painting I
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	ART 113 – Three Dimensional Fundamentals
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	ART 118 – Drawing & Design Fundamentals
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	ART 200 – Advanced Drawing
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	ART 214 – Color Digital Photography or CMM 300 – Documentary Video or CMM 311 – Digital Video Production or WRT 304 – Read & Write in Digital Environments
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	ART 230 – Graphic Design
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	ART 395 – Studio Concentration Seminar
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	LIL 420 – Arts & Humanities Capstone
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	Three (3) credits of elective coursework from List A (below)
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	Six (6) credits of elective coursework from either List A or List B
Credits	6

Program Required Courses	Total Credits
Credits	36

Program Required Courses	Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits)
Credits	Variable

Program Required Courses	Credits
ARH 210 – Art History Survey I or ARH 211 – Art History Survey II or ARH 270 – Art in the Modern World	3
ART 104 – Painting I	3
ART 113 – Three Dimensional Fundamentals	3
ART 118 – Drawing & Design Fundamentals	3
ART 200 – Advanced Drawing	3
ART 214 – Color Digital Photography or CMM 300 – Documentary Video or CMM 311 – Digital Video Production or WRT 304 – Read & Write in Digital Environments	3
ART 230 – Graphic Design	3
ART 395 – Studio Concentration Seminar	3
LIL 420 – Arts & Humanities Capstone	3
Three (3) credits of elective coursework from List A (below)	3
Six (6) credits of elective coursework from either List A or List B	6
Total Credits	36
Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits)	Variable

Minimum Total Required Credits	120

Electives

List A – Elective Options	ART 101 – Watercolor
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 102 – Photography
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 105 – Elements of Acting
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 108 – Boatbuilding
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 109 – T-Shirt Design
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 110 – Ceramics
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 111 – Scientific Illustration
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 114 – Printmaking
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 124 – The Painted Book
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 130 – Art of the Letter
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 199 – Topics Course (any media)
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 207 – Landscape Painting
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 214 – Color Digital Photography
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 234 – Digital Animation
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 299 – Advanced Topics in Arts
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 324 – The Painted Book 3D
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	ART 401 – Creative/Fine Arts Internship
Credits	3

List A – Elective Options	Credits
ART 101 – Watercolor	3
ART 102 – Photography	3
ART 105 – Elements of Acting	3
ART 108 – Boatbuilding	3
ART 109 – T-Shirt Design	3
ART 110 – Ceramics	3
ART 111 – Scientific Illustration	3
ART 114 – Printmaking	3
ART 124 – The Painted Book	3
ART 130 – Art of the Letter	3
ART 199 – Topics Course (any media)	3
ART 207 – Landscape Painting	3
ART 214 – Color Digital Photography	3
ART 234 – Digital Animation	3
ART 299 – Advanced Topics in Arts	3
ART 324 – The Painted Book 3D	3
ART 401 – Creative/Fine Arts Internship	3

List B – Elective Options	CMM 210 – Understanding Media
Credits	3

List B – Elective Options	CMM 300 – Photo and Video Documentation
Credits	3

List B – Elective Options	CMM 311 – Digital Video and Audio Production
Credits	3

List B – Elective Options	CMM 430 – Internship in Communication
Credits	3

List B – Elective Options	HIS 345 – Museums & Public History
Credits	3

List B – Elective Options	LIL 120 – Introductory Arts & Humanities Seminar
Credits	3

List B – Elective Options	WRT 111 – Topics in Creative Writing
Credits	3

List B – Elective Options	WRT 211 – Creative Writing: Poetry
Credits	3

List B – Elective Options	WRT 212 – Creative Writing: Short Fiction
Credits	3

List B – Elective Options	WRT 304 – Read & Write in Digital Environments
Credits	3

List B – Elective Options	WRT 312 – Fiction Writing Workshop
Credits	3

List B – Elective Options	WRT 317 – Proposal and Grant Writing
Credits	3

List B – Elective Options	Credits
CMM 210 – Understanding Media	3
CMM 300 – Photo and Video Documentation	3
CMM 311 – Digital Video and Audio Production	3
CMM 430 – Internship in Communication	3
HIS 345 – Museums & Public History	3
LIL 120 – Introductory Arts & Humanities Seminar	3
WRT 111 – Topics in Creative Writing	3
WRT 211 – Creative Writing: Poetry	3
WRT 212 – Creative Writing: Short Fiction	3
WRT 304 – Read & Write in Digital Environments	3
WRT 312 – Fiction Writing Workshop	3
WRT 317 – Proposal and Grant Writing	3

An average GPA of 2.0 or higher is required for this degree.

Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.

To learn more about the program visit the Academic Catalog.

Changes were made to this program in an addendum to the 2022/23 academic calendar. Please see the 2022–2023 Catalog Addendum (PDF) for the most recent information. As always, it is recommended that students seek the guidance of Academic Advisors for course and program planning. In this way, you will be able to access all the most up-to-date information available.

Meet our faculty and professional staff

Discover UNE’s Art Programs

Career Paths for Art and Design Media Majors

As an Art and Design Media major, you will master technical skills in centuries-old crafts as well as cutting-edge modern applications. In addition, you will develop a flair for self-expression, a talent for interpreting complex ideas, and dexterity in adopting different perspectives – skills that transcend job categories and will help distinguish you in a wide array of professions.

Our graduates have pursued many fascinating professions, including:

Graphic Designer
Digital Animator
Photographer
Arts Educator
Web Designer
Fine Artist
Video Producer
Illustrator
Ceramicist

Career Advising for B.A. in Art and Design Media Students

Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.

Tour the Art and Design Media Facilities

Explore Art Studio Spaces With UNE Students Johnna and Will

Learn about the different studio spaces along with the ceramics, printmaking, and digital photography lab in the Creative and Fine Arts facility.

Interested in our Art and Design Media program?

Apply

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Experiential Learning in the Bachelor's Degree in Art and Design Media Program

Get out your smock because we don’t teach art and design from a textbook. Our classes emphasize hands-on, real-world learning that stirs your imagination, ignites your creativity, and prepares you for a successful professional career. At the easel, in the darkroom, by the potter’s wheel, or with your computer, get ready to create your future.

Internships for Art and Design Media Majors

Internships provide valuable field experience, giving you an opportunity to explore career options and network with professionals. You may intern near campus during the academic year or in your hometown over the summer.

Our students have held internships in many exciting positions, such as:

Graphic Designer
Editorial Art Assistant
Photography Aide
Assistant Music Teacher
Gallery Assistant

For more information email the Academic and Career Advising Center at advising@davidegalliani.com.

Opportunities for Art and Design Media Students

Art Gallery

The Art Gallery on UNE's Portland Campus for the Health Sciences houses a permanent collection of paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculptures by nationally and internationally renowned artists. It mounts six exhibitions each year in a variety of media that ranges from contemporary fine art to photography, to international themes, to works by women and by Maine artists.

From June through October, the gallery presents an Annual Sculpture Garden around its exterior. On occasion, different exhibitions are arranged at other locations on our Portland and Biddeford campuses.

Events

The Office of Student Affairs collaborates with our Art programs to bring a variety of arts events to the Biddeford Campus, ranging from lunchtime concerts at the Alfond Cafe to poetry readings, to gallery exhibits at the Campus Center and Engine gallery in downtown Biddeford.

Portland Art Scene

Portland's art scene includes the Portland Museum of Art, SPACE Gallery, and numerous private and nonprofit art galleries.

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Ready to begin your future in UNE’s B.A. in Art and Design Media degree program? Get started today.

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Art and Design Media FAQ

What is a degree in art and design?

What can you do with an art and design degree?

Is a degree in art and design worth it?

What are the requirements for a degree in art and design?

How long does a degree in art and design take?

What is the best art and design media degree for me?

Picking what to study is a personal choice and should match what you like, what you're good at, and what you want for a career path. Explore all options to find the art and design media program that is just right for you. Below are a few factors you should consider.

Faculty

What types of instructors will you be learning from and working with? UNE has an outstanding Art and Design Media faculty. As a student, you will work closely with nationally renowned artists, plus you’ll have access to medical and science faculty for the study of scientific illustration.

Meet faculty and professional staff in the School of Arts and Humanities

Students also enjoy small class sizes. UNE has a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio and design and art media classes are no larger than 15.

Learn more about some quick facts about UNE

Curriculum

Does the curriculum have multiple areas of study to allow you to customize your program and explore your interests? UNE’s Art and Design Media program has a flexible curriculum. This allows for double majors and minors, opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, and an emphasis on community engagement and local arts.

Learn more about UNE's art and design curriculum and see examples of available courses

UNE engages in experiential learning. Art and Design Media classes emphasize hands-on, real-world learning and internships provide valuable field experience, giving you an opportunity to explore career options and network with professionals.

Read testimonials from UNE art program students

Financial aid

Does the school you are considering offer financial aid or scholarships to help you in your education? A UNE education is very affordable. Our tuition is 16% below the average tuition for private universities in New England. All incoming full-time undergraduate students will receive Merit Scholarships in amounts from $5,000 to $22,000 per year.

Learn more about grants and scholarships available to undergraduate students at UNE

UNE's Student Financial Services comprises the Financial Aid and Student Accounts offices. Our program optimizes institutional and federal funds. To explore education funding options, contact us at sfs@davidegalliani.com or (207) 602-2342 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Location and environment

Is it a collaborative atmosphere where you can learn from, yet compete with, your peers? Is there a prominent or burgeoning art scene nearby? UNE provides students with a variety of learning experiences with its three unique campuses; two Maine campuses in Biddeford and Portland plus a campus in Tangier, Morocco that is home to an innovative semester abroad program.

Learn more about study abroad opportunities at UNE

Portland's art scene includes the Portland Museum of Art, SPACE Gallery, and numerous private and nonprofit art galleries plus the Art Gallery on UNE's Portland Campus. Also, the Office of Student Affairs collaborates with our Art programs to bring a variety of arts events to the Biddeford Campus.

Career goals

Does the college or university offer advising to help you determine the right career path based on your interests and field of study? UNE offers Career Advising to help you plan your next step. 93% of bachelor’s degree graduates are employed or continuing higher education within six months to one year of graduating.

UNE's Art and Design Media program blends study in classic studio arts, such as painting, drawing, and ceramics, with training in modern-day digital media, such as animation and 3D printing. This program differs from the Art Education program which offers a blended curriculum of art skills and educational theory and practice. This program prepares students to become K-12 visual art teachers and includes the Maine State K-12 Visual Arts Teacher Certification Program. Both programs include art classes and the CAS Core Requirements.