Art and Design

Kelly Roe, Chair
233B Tyler Hall
315-312-2111
www.oswego.edu/art
Directory of Professors

The study of art and design encompasses both the active creation of visual objects, as well as the investigation of their historical and social context. Students in the Department of Art and Design select from a number of programs: fine arts, illustration, graphic design, interaction design, or art history. They also select from two degree types, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) level or a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) level. Students can also elect to minor in art history, graphic design, museum studies, illustration, photography, and studio art. All programs require a series of foundation or core courses.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Studio Art, Art History, Graphic Design, Interaction Design or Illustration

Many students in the BA program are interested in multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary study and choose to major or minor in a second subject such as arts management, psychology, cognitive science, broadcasting, public relations, communications, advertising and marketing, technology education and information science, to name a few. For students with a variety of interests and skills, the BA offers a better opportunity for study outside of the major.

Offerings in art history are particularly extensive for a college the size of Oswego. Students take a two-semester survey of art and may select upper division courses in Twentieth-Century, Chinese, Japanese, Islamic, Native American, or Museum Studies.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree in Studio Art, Illustration, Interaction Design or Graphic Design

With respect to the BFA Studio Art program, students can select from two tracks, one in Fine Arts and one in Illustration. Students in the Fine Arts track must complete a concentration in a specific area. Choices include Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Art Education and Interdisciplinary. Students taking the Art Education track typically go on for the Master of Art Teaching (M.A.T.) in Art. Students in the Illustration track select from courses in traditional media, digital media, and 3-D modeling as well as elective study in a variety courses that relate to their interest.

BFA studies also include specific attention to the latest developments in art theory, criticism and art history. Students are introduced to a variety of media through intensive, hands-on classroom experience in well-equipped studio facilities. Through discussions and critiques, students advance from foundation studies to specialize in a medium of their choice. Students use the numerous work-study, assistantship and study abroad programs to gain valuable practical experience. Graduates of the program have been accepted into well-known MFA programs. Students often go on to become K-12 teachers, college professors, gallery workers, illustrators, animators, motion
graphic artist, and self-employed artists, to name a few.

Students in the BFA Graphic Design program concentrate on the study and practice of contemporary graphic design theory, techniques and application. The Graphic Design program prepares graduates for positions in the visual communications industry. The program includes study of print, web, interaction design, and multimedia design as well as photography and illustration. Electives ensure ample opportunity for study in a wide range of media as well as focus in a specific discipline. Graduates of the program have found employment in a number of graphic communication fields in large and small companies, and institutions throughout the country.

Interaction Design BFA students explore the intersection of storytelling, technology, communication, and design. Study includes a combination of theory and practice that moves beyond the visual to explore all aspects of interaction and motion design. Program graduates may enter fields such as UX (user experience), UI (user interface), XR (extended reality), multimedia design, motion design, web design, product design, 3-D design and printing, and other emerging fields.

The BFA degree programs are competitive and interested students must submit a portfolio to be accepted. Prospective students should direct questions to the Department of Art and Design office. Students seeking admission to a BFA degree are accepted separately through an application process directed by the department. Students can submit a BFA application online at www.oswego.edu/art/admissions-0

Facilities

The Department of Art and Design is located in Tyler Hall and Lanigan Hall. Inside Tyler Hall are the studios for foundation design, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, painting, printmaking, and photography. The building houses three digital imaging labs, woodshop, and two art galleries where a variety of exhibitions are held throughout the academic year. The spacious Graphic Arts facility situated in Lanigan Hall, on the first floor, includes two lecture/critique rooms and two large digital media labs, a room for preparing portfolios and framing, a student lounge, two special project studios, and a conference area.

The Department of Art and Design cosponsors the following programs.

Programs

Major

Minor

Courses

Art

Art History