What is Digital Media Design? Our DMD degree program at UK offers a flexible and practical path to a creative career. The program links design to the broader visual arts. There is no other program quite like it. A broad-based liberal arts degree housed within the School of Art and Visual Studies, this technically and conceptually rigorous program engages art and design as concurrent creative practices. Students are engaged in the creative re-imagining of our shared future. The program encourages students to develop a broad spectrum of analogue and digital skills required by today’s creative economy.
This is a place to bring your passion. To gain knowledge about how to turn your ideas into significant works of art and/or design. To expand your range of technical abilities. To discover the expressive power of different media, from the radically new art of simulation to the ancient art of ceramics. This is a place to find your own voice, to learn how to share your vision and how to work with the visions of others. To become a professional in your chosen area(s) of interest. Most of all, this is a place where students have the opportunity to be creative wherever their excitement takes them.
The Digital Media Design major is a Selective-Admission program. All prospective students interested in this major must both apply as an undergraduate student AND submit a successful application to the program before they can declare the major. This includes freshmen, transfers from other institutions, and students already enrolled at UK who wish to change their majors or add DMDE as a second major. Admission into this program is competitive and takes into consideration academic performance and creative goals.
To apply, visit finearts.uky.edu/savs
Art directors earn a median salary of $94,220. There are currently 99,100 art director positions in the U.S.
Other career paths may include:
The required Industry Pathways and Practice and Digital Media Projects Capstone courses allow students to deepen their creative practices and prepare for the job market while completing the Digital Media Design degree.
Students explore areas of interest, including:
Our degree program is designed to give students the interdisciplinary thinking and making skills they need to become successful creative professionals. Our hands-on classes are led by accomplished faculty who are leaders in their fields. Within a supportive environment that presents exhibition opportunities and multidisciplinary initiatives, students are challenged through robust critiques to develop a well-rounded body of creative work.
Much like Art Studio Majors, Digital Media Design students must complete a set of foundational art courses to prepare them for higher level studies. This program consists in part of three studio courses, one each from three distinct media areas. Students also participate in a Freshman Exhibition (featuring work created in the two Freshman Foundation courses).
A minimum of nine art studio (A-S) courses at the 300-level or above, of which at least six are digital-based (printmedia, digital photography, graphic design, video, web-based art, 3D fabrication, and more).
At least six hours of art history, visual studies, film history or theory must be taken at or above the 300-level from an approved list.
In addition to the major requirements, each student, with the approval of his or her academic advisor, will select a minimum of 18 hours in related course work in an outside area of concentration, of which 12 hours must be from a single discipline or focused area, such as film studies, WRD, media arts, business, etc., and 6 must be at the 300 level or above.
Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$58,910
per year in 2023
Number of Jobs
270,900
in 2023
10 Year Job Outlook
8,900
new jobs (average)
Many of these workers are employed in specialized design services, publishing, or advertising, public relations, and related services industries.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
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College of Fine Arts
School of Art & Visual Studies
236 Bolivar Street
Lexington, KY 40508
859-257-8151
