The Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Media Studies is an interdisciplinary program within the Department of Visual Arts & Design that develops students’ conceptual prowess, technical competency and independent problem-solving to meet the challenges of a career or advanced study in digital media. Through studio critiques, the study of sophisticated design concepts, mastery of skills and a “hands-on” approach to technology, students learn to adapt this knowledge to their own professional practice. Graduating students demonstrate their competence by producing a cohesive portfolio of work presented in their senior capstone exhibition to a panel of faculty reviewers and the general public.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Media Studies includes the following concentrations: Graphic Design, Multimedia Production and Video Game Design.
Required Courses for all Digital Media Studies Majors
2023/24 Catalog Year
| General Education Requirements (42 credits) | ||||
| ARTS 1316 – Drawing I | ||||
| ARTS 2348 – Digital Art I | ||||
| ARTS 4390 – Digital Media Portfolio Capstone I | ||||
| ARTS 4391 – Digital Media Portfolio Capstone II | ||||
| Advanced Art Electives (Choose 9 Credits of the following) | ||||
| ARTS 3360 – Graphic Design I | ||||
| ARTS 3362 – Narrative Illustration I | ||||
| ARTS 3363 – Tradigital Animation I | ||||
| ARTS 3365 – Special Effects I | ||||
| ARTS 3366 – 3D Video Game Environment I | ||||
| ARTS 4370 – Interaction Design |
Graphic Design Concentration
| ARTS 1311 – Design I | |
| ARTS 2313 – Graphic Design Fundamentals | |
| ARTS 2356 – Photography I | |
| ARTS 3372 – Typography | |
| ARTS 3373 – Publication Design | |
| ARTS 3374 – Digital Media Design | |
| ARTS 4373 – Graphic Design Production | |
| BCIS 3315 – Web Development | |
| ENGL 3309 – Professional Writing | |
| ENGL 3312 – Professional Writing and Visual Design | |
| Advanced Art Electives (Choose 12 Credits of the following) | |
| ARTS 3360 Graphic Design I, ARTS 3361 Photography II, ARTS 3362 Narrative Illustration I, ARTS 3363 Tradigital Animation 1, ARTS 3364 3D Animation I, ARTS 3365 Special Effects I, ARTS 3368 Narrative Film Arts I, ARTS 3369 Experimental Photography, ARTS 4360 Graphic Design II, ARTS 4361 Photography III, ARTS 4362 Narrative Illustration II, ARTS 4363 Tradigital Animation II, ARTS 4364 3D Animation II, ARTS 4368 Narrative Film Arts II, ARTS 4370 Interaction Design, ARTS 4372 Collaborative Production, ARTS 4384 Internship in Art/Digital Media | |
| Electives (Choose 12 Credits) – choose with advisor |
Multimedia Production Concentration
| ARTS 1311 – Design I | ||
| ARTS 2356 – Photography I | ||
| BCIS 3315 – Web Development | ||
| COMM 3308 – Digital Video Production | ||
| ENGL 3309 – Professional Writing | ||
| ENGL 3312 – Graphics and Technical Writing | ||
| Advanced Art Electives (Choose 15 Credits of the following) | ||
| ARTS 3360 Graphic Design I, ARTS 3361 Photography II, ARTS 3362 Narrative Illustration I, ARTS 3363 Tradigital Animation 1, ARTS 3364 3D Animation I, ARTS 3365 Special Effects I, ARTS 3368 Narrative Film Arts I, ARTS 3369 Experimental Photography, ARTS 3372 Typography, ARTS 3373 Publication Design, ARTS 3374 Digital Media Design, ARTS 4360 Graphic Design II, ARTS 4361 Photography III, ARTS 4362 Narrative Illustration II, ARTS 4363 Tradigital Animation II, ARTS 4364 3D Animation II, ARTS 4368 Narrative Film Arts II, ARTS 4370 Interaction Design, ARTS 4372 Collaborative Production, ARTS 4375 Aerial Photography | ||
| Advanced Art Electives (Choose 9 Credits of the following) | ||
| ARTS 3332 Contemporary Movements in Art, ARTS 3334 History of Photography and Lens-Based Media, ARTS 4384 Internship in Art or Digital Media, ARTS 4385 Art Seminar, BCIS 3300 Computer Technology and Impact, COMM 3321 Advertising, COMM 3384 Documentary Film, COMM 4310 Computer-Mediated Communication, ENGL 3310 Technical Writing and Editing, ENGL 3343 Creative Writing, ENGL Writing for Electronic Mediums, ENGL 4335 Film Studies | ||
| Electives (Choose 12 Credits) – choose with advisor |
Video Game Design Concentration
| ARTS 2344 – Game Design | |
| Advanced Art Electives (Choose 6 Credits of the following) | |
| ARTS 3364 3D Animation I, ARTS 3365 Special Effects I, ARTS 3366 3D Video Game Environment I, ARTS 4362, ARTS 4364 3D Animation II, ARTS 4365 Special Effects II,ARTS 4366 3D Video Game Environment II, ARTS 4367 3D Rendering and Lighting, ARTS 4370 Interaction Design, ARTS 4372 Collaborative Production | |
| Advanced Electives (13 Credits) | |
| COSC 1310 – Procedural Programming | |
| COSC 2321 – C++ Programming | |
| COSC 2331 – Java Programming | |
| COSC 2341 – Data Structures and Algorithims | |
| COSC 3330 – Games, Graphics, and GUIs | |
| COSC 3489 – Software Engineering I | |
| MATH 1316 – Plane Trigonometry or MATH 2412 PreCalculus | |
| MATH 2413 – Calculus I | |
| MATH 3310 – Discrete Mathematics |
Programs and Opportunities
Tarleton Art Society is a student-run organization that brings together like-minded individuals from various artistic disciplines to promote artistic knowledge. Each year there is a wide range of activities hosted by this organization, including fundraisers, mural painting, field trips, New York City visits, and workshops. For more information, contact Tim Harding, Faculty Advisor.
The Visual Arts & Design Department and the Communication Studies Department of Tarleton State University are proud to present the 16th annual Tarleton Student Film & Moving Media Festival. This competitive cinematic event screens every year in the Spring, giving all Animation and Moving Image students a chance to show off their work!
The Digital Media Studies program includes a state-of-the-art Vicon Motion Capture System, as well as professional video and digital imaging studio equipment. Our facilities also feature 2D and 3D printers and scanners and other digital fabrication devices.
Every semester the Department of Fine Arts holds a number of visiting artist lectures and workshops featuring artists from the Dallas/Fort Worth area as well as nationally; here, artists visit and lecture about their experiences and work. Recent workshops included 19th-century process photography as well as advanced sculpture casting. Lectures are free and open to the public.
The Tarleton Game club is a student-run art club at Tarleton that meets weekly, usually in FA room 162. Tarleton Game Club is a club that promotes game design, games, game development and more for Tarleton students and staff. Each year the club hosts tournaments, LAN parties, designs their own games, and enters game design competitions. See the Tarleton Game Club Facebook page and the Steam page for more info.
