Initially, the major in Art and Design requires a solid grounding in the foundations of the creative disciplines. As part of the core curriculum program, students are encouraged to take courses which will establish their interest in and dedication to the pursuit of the major before they apply to enter the major.
All majors in Art and Design complete courses which provide the foundation for all concentrations. From these foundation courses, students branch into the concentration of their choice. Students from all concentrations intermingle in courses, providing a rich learning environment as their projects are developed, critiqued and exhibited.
Students complete their concentration through the requirements in the major. These courses are individually selected with the assistance of the major advisor. Thus, each student’s program has an element which is individually designed, in addition to the foundation and core courses common to all Art and Design majors.
Three culminating efforts provide the framework within which fourth-year students mature as artists: the internship, the senior exhibition and the Capstone project. The internship provides a career-related, experience-centered professional work opportunity where students gain skills training and professional life experience. The senior exhibition provides an opportunity for a group show in a public venue which gives students public recognition for their work. Finally, the Capstone project offers an opportunity to apply all of the learning which students have achieved, reflect on their total educational experience, and share with others the essence of that experience.
In addition to academic and studio work, art students participate in field trips to museums, galleries, and archeological and architectural sites, and become involved in various university events and other activities which demonstrate their versatility and competence.
Students intending to major in Art and Design should begin their art studies in the first year of baccalaureate level work, taking ART 125 in order to become familiar with the concentrations available in Art & Design and the variety of art media in the program, and beginning to prepare work for exhibition.
The curriculum for the major in Art and Design has been developed to be consistent with the accreditation standards of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) in the United States.
Concentrations
The Graphic Design program is based on the belief that good design is impactful, universal and timeless; and so is good design education. In the program, students acquire theoretical and practical knowledge in design and design practice, and develop a variety of skills in print and media design. Upon graduation, they are ready to become influential members in the graphic design industry. After all, graphic design is a journey that starts with an idea and opens up with a myriad of endless design solutions, and students are invited to actively lead the ride in each course, and each project.
Each graphic design project consists of a message, a purpose, and public interaction. Throughout the curriculum students master design processes; understand project briefs, interact with clients, plan the procedure, research data, generate ideas, reiterate and refine deliverables, present and interact with the public. Students are expected to produce their creative solutions through intensive print or media studio work.
The Interior Design program is accepted by the Association of Professional Interior Designers of the UAE . The mission of the program is to prepare students with the appropriate technical skills and conceptual knowledge to design functional, safe and aesthetically appealing spaces for their prospect clients. The program covers all scales of interior design projects; from small residential to large commercial projects and covers soft and hard decorative finishes.
The Interior Design curriculum is comprised of four core interior design studio courses and a selection of electives such as color and light design, and furniture design. Students can work as professional interior designers after their graduation either in the private or public sector, or as freelancers.
Motion Graphics is the art of creating moving graphics with the use of computers. Students learn visual design principles and the technology from basics and develop their way up to advanced level to reach a competent level that is required by the industry. The Motion Graphics program has been developed in order to provide students with knowledge, concepts and skills in the areas of three-dimensional computer modeling, three-dimensional computer animation, digital video, etc., using industrial standard software such as AutoDesk Maya, Adobe Aftereffects/Photoshop, and Macromedia Flash/Director.
Graduates of the Motion Graphics program can find employment at a number of public and private companies in the UAE, in the fields such as advertisement, television, gaming, architectural and interior design. Students can also work as an independent contractor for companies internationally.
The Visual Art program is designed with the aim of producing students with the ability to achieve in a wide and balanced variety of areas within the visual art. Our philosophy demonstrates that professional creative expression requires both technical and intellectual skill that is acquired through intensive studio work, business exposure and gallery practice. Integrated in the program also is a disciplined application of critical awareness of artistic issues focusing on past, present, and future, both from within the region and abroad. The curriculum offers a range of media and methods with core and elective courses that include Drawing, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Prior to graduation, students will stage a professional exhibition with their Capstone project demonstrating the knowledge and skills they have gained throughout their studies.
Graduates will be multi-skilled and critically informed art professionals, capable of establishing a professional practice in both visual art and media. Potential careers in cultural programs for government and business exist to support the growing art community in the UAE. Opportunities include curatorial and art management, art and design criticism, and publishing. Graduates in visual art also have the advanced standing to continue to postgraduate studies as well as compete for government and private funding of major projects and initiatives in all fields of the visual arts.
