The Fine Arts Department of the School of Arts, Sciences and Communication offers coursework in three areas: Computer Graphics, Graphic Design and Visual Arts Education. Work in these areas lead to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree.

A distinguished faculty of practicing artists, art historians and designers expose the student to a variety of artistic approaches, from traditional through contemporary styles. Admission is competitive. Fine Arts applicants are required to submit portfolios of artwork; samples are evaluated for artistic skills, potential and overall presentation.

All curricula are designed to augment student awareness of the many visual arts fields. Prior to specialized study, each area requires the same first-year foundation curriculum, which establishes principles of artistic concepts through emphasis on composition, design, color and drawing, and building a visual vocabulary. Exhibitions and critiques throughout the academic year allow students to reflect on their progress and assess strengths and shortcomings. The Fine Arts Department’s Computer Graphics and Graphic Design classes include use of state-of-the-art hardware systems, as well as a wide variety of two-dimensional, three-dimensional and animation software applications. The computer graphics laboratories in Old Westbury and Manhattan are considered among the most advanced facilities in the metropolitan area.

The range of experience for the student in the Fine Arts Department includes drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, computer graphics, computer animation, design for print and Internet, typography and photography. The primary goal is to sharpen values and develop individual artistic personalities. Students learn to resolve formal issues first in traditional media and later apply this formal foundation to electronic media.

Curriculum Areas

Computer Graphics
Electronic media have evolved to include powerful artistic expressions. Today, skills in computer graphics are much sought-after due to their expansive use in a variety of visualization applications. Foundations in the principles of design, studio practice and a portfolio of critiqued work help the student to produce professional practices and results. Our goal is to help students understand the relationship of design and technology. This allows the student to develop the ability to create and compose content that communicates ideas in an effective manner for both general and specific markets. Students learn how to educate, inform, motivate, entertain, persuade, challenge and inspire audiences while transcending the medium of delivery.

Graphic Design
Revolutionized by electronic media and tools, graphic design has become a significant international growth industry. With the rapid changes taking hold in the way business and advertising are conducted today, it is no wonder that experts have targeted graphic design as the profession to manage and deliver the volume of information which is exponentially produced and consumed. The next generation of graphic designers must be able to design and direct many different types of media. The graphic design sequence of courses prepares our students for professional challenges by integrating and interpreting the language and syntax of visualization within emerging technologies. Such knowledge and skills have become the current entry-level requirements of the industry. NYIT students will be well prepared at their first employment interviews with portfolios in hand, on DVD and Web pages created in courses that emphasize professional development.

Visual Arts Education
The Fine Arts Department collaborates with the School of Education and Professional Services to offer rigorous content study in art for students preparing to be teachers of Visual Arts in grades P to 12. The Visual Arts education program is an important component of the BFA program and the Department is committed to continually developing the program with the School of Education and Professional Services. The sequence of required courses in the Visual Arts has been structured to provide a solid base in drawing and design, art history, and the studio arts, including computer graphics. Options provide flexibility and enable teacher candidates to explore areas of interest and talent. The Visual Arts concentration develops knowledge and technical skills needed to teach all aspects of the P-12 Visual Arts curriculum. The requirements for NYS certification are very specific and will affect students’ selection of core curriculum and elective courses. Students in the Visual Arts Education program should meet with an advisor in the Fine Arts Department as well as their advisor in Teacher Education to plan their class schedules in order to meet degree requirements in the core curriculum, Fine Arts, and teacher education.