Art and Design

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

At Oswego, we strive to empower students to navigate their projects and research interests by offering programs that support both breadth and depth of study. Studio offerings include Drawing, Design, Digital Media, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interaction Design, Multimedia Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Ceramics, Sculpture, and Web Design.

Our Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees are designed to foster interdisciplinary learning for students interested in a broad range of study options. These degrees, rooted in the Liberal Arts tradition, allow students to explore other areas of interest or emerging career options that require a general understanding of various disciplines. The possibilities are endless, with options like arts management, expressive arts therapy, psychology, broadcasting, public relations, communications, cinema; screen study, marketing, and technology — to name a few.

For students who are passionate about Art and design and want a degree that will enhance their creative skills, our Bachelor of Fine Art (B.F.A.) degree programs are the perfect choice. These programs offer intense study of various design theories, practices, and mediums, preparing students for professional careers in Fine Arts, Illustration, Graphic Design, and Interaction Design.

Students in the B.F.A. Fine Arts track must complete a concentration in a specific area. Choices include Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Art Education, and Interdisciplinary. Students wanting to be K-12 educators typically pursue 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 various classes that relate to their interests.

Students in the B.F.A. Graphic Design program concentrate on the study and practice of contemporary graphic design theory, techniques, and applications. The program prepares graduates for positions in the visual communications industry. It focuses on graphic design from a traditional perspective but also allows elective study in web, interaction design, multimedia design, photography, and illustration. Graduates of the program have found employment in several graphic communication fields in large and small companies and institutions throughout the country.

Interaction Design B.F.A. students explore the intersection of storytelling, technology, communication, and design. The study includes a combination of theory and practice that moves beyond the visual to explore all interaction and motion design aspects. 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.

B.F.A. studies also focus on the latest developments in art theory, criticism, and art history. Students are introduced to various 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. In addition, 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 M.F.A. programs. Students often go on to become K-12 teachers, college professors, gallery workers, illustrators, animators, motion graphic artists, and self-employed artists, to name a few.

The B.F.A.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 B.F.A. degree are accepted separately through an application process directed by the department. Students can submit a B.F.A. 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 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.

Opening fall of 2025 is Hewitt Hall. For the Art Department, it gives our curriculum in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, and Illustration spaces conducive to growing our curriculum as well as the space to explore emerging media.

Our studios are well-equipped and support all our disciplinary areas. Our state-of-the-art digital labs support a wide range of activities that meet contemporary standards and emerging media forms. Students have access seven days a week and can apply for on-campus studio space. In addition, department facilities include “maker spaces” to assist students in preparing portfolios and framing, printing (2D, 3D, laser, and fabric), digital photography, audio/video production, and sensor technology for interaction projects.

The Department of Art and Design cosponsors the following programs.

Programs

Major

Minor

Courses

Art

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