BFA Digital Media Design

The Corcoran’s 120-credit Digital Media Design program concentrates on interactive design, motion graphics, animation, 3D modeling, character design, and digital filmmaking. With faculty comprised of professional animators, digital video editors, and interactive designers, students benefit from excellent instruction, an intimate classroom setting, and detailed critique feedback. During your four years of study, you will become engaged in an immersive educational experience in design, design history, interactive design, motion graphics, and animation.

Gain Experience in the Real World

The Corcoran College of Art + Design is deeply committed to graduating students who are ready to begin their careers and compete in the motion graphics and animation industry. For this reason, we strongly encourage—and help facilitate—internships for our students in the opportunity-rich D.C. marketplace. Among the many organizations and businesses where Corcoran students have gained real world experience through an internship are Graphik, National Geographic, MTV, AOL, Kinetik, and Catalone Design Co.

Upon graduation, Corcoran Digital Media Design alumni have successfully developed careers in New York, Los Angeles, DC, Seattle, Saudi Arabia, and London. Corcoran Digital Media Design alumni work at variety of companies including: PBS, Apple, AOL, National Geographic Magazine, AKQA, America's Most Wanted, Chronicle Books, Prologue, and AOL.

Sample Courses

Design for Mobile Devices—New handheld, touchscreen devices have brought us to the edge of a new way of reading, one that brings together print, time-based, and interactive media. Projects explore storytelling and creating experiences. Projects target the iPad incorporating images, sound, video, and interactivity.

Time Based Media & Animation—Students learn Cinema 4D, the industry standard 3D application in the Motion Graphics industry.
Projects focus on modeling, texturing, rendering, lighting, and character design.

Motion Graphics: After Effects—This course explores motion graphics and visual effects for animation, video, and digital film using Adobe AfterEffects. Students learn to turn static artwork into fluid motion graphics. Projects focuses on narrative storytelling through storyboarding, sequencing, while employing kinetic image and type.

Sample Curriculum*

YEAR 1 COURSES

Art History I + II
Writing I + II
Resources
Drawing
Communications Design
Design Concepts
Studio Electives

YEARS 2, 3, and 4 STUDIO COURSES

Sophomore + Junior Studios
Typography I, II + III + IV
Digital Media Design Senior Thesis
Professional Practices for Designers
Studio Electives

YEARS 2, 3, and 4 ACADEMIC COURSES

Modern Art
Contemporary Culture
Digital Media Culture
Humanities I + II
Electives

TOTAL: 120 Credits

Sample elective courses               

Screen Printing
Letterpress I
Time Based Media & Animation: Cinema 4D
Motion Graphics: After Effects
Interaction Design
Design for Mobile Devices
Business Web Apps
Digital Video Editing: Final Cut Pro
Entertainment Design: Movie Key Art

*Courses subject to change

Students may also elect to pursue a combined five-year BFA/MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) degree, a program which prepares you to work as an art educator in secondary schools, museums, and community art centers.

Graphic Design/Digital Media Design Faculty

Antonio Alcalá
Adjunct Faculty

Robin Bell
Adjunct Faculty

Jessica Bonness
Adjunct Faculty

John Carmody
Visiting Assistant Professor of Digital Media

Melinda Cunningham
Adjunct Faculty

Carol Donnelly
Adjunct Faculty

Carmel Greer
Adjunct Faculty

Matthew Guastaferro
Adjunct Faculty

Francheska Guerrero
Associate Professor, Interim Chair of Undergraduate Design, Graphic Design, and Digital Media Design

Andrea Hartranft
Adjunct Faculty

Nathan Hill
Adjunct Faculty

Ramona Hutko
Associate Faculty

Antje Kharchi
Associate Professor

Robert Lasater
Adjunct Faculty

Gail Lazio-Xavier
Adjunct Faculty

Brian Lemen
Adjunct Faculty

Raymond MacDonald
Adjunct Faculty

Robert McVearry
Adjunct Faculty

Juana Medina
Adjunct Faculty

Erin Miller
Adjunct Faculty

Charles Mitchell
Adjunct Faculty

Jim Mole
Adjunct Faculty

Joshua Moores
Adjunct Faculty

Maria Morga
Associate Professor

Michael Pacheco
Adjunct Faculty

Alice Powers
Adjunct Faculty

David Ramos
Adjunct Faculty

Elizabeth Raycroft
Adjunct Faculty

Camden M. Richards
Adjunct Faculty

Alice Roberts
Adjunct Faculty

Johan Severtson
Professor

Samuel Shelton
Adjunct Faculty

Charlie Turner
Adjunct Faculty

Examples of Student Work

Related Student Groups and Organizations

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