What’s your major?
This is perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions in college life, and now there is a new response — Multimedia Design.
The new major was approved by the University June 16.
“Last year the department of art received funding from the state to implement both a major and minor in digital media,” Director of the Multimedia Design Program Craig Hickman said.
“It was recognized that we were the most appropriate department to do this because of our decades of experience with technology and media.”
The new five-year bachelor of fine arts degree is expected to attract a number of new students.
“We expect to be carrying about 100 people the first year,” said Zara Burkhart, an administrative assistant for multimedia.
Some 10 to 15 new classes have also been added for the program.
Media Tools, one of the major’s core classes, is already full for fall term with 120 students registered, showing that the classes are already attracting interest.
“Skills in Pagemaker, Photoshop and so on are crucial to work in journalism these days,” said Gordon Kelley, who is registered for the class. “There’s a lot I don’t know.”
Kelley hopes to go into magazine journalism within the next two years, and is convinced of the importance of such computer skills.
“I think that basic common-program skills are essential to a career in journalism,” he said. “I don’t know squat about Quark, and little about Pagemaker besides scanning.”
There are three core courses to the major: Multimedia Tools I, Multimedia Tools II and Multimedia Survey, which are open to all University students.
“They are nice introductory classes to the major,” Burkhart said.
The program also hopes to soon get a minor in Multimedia Design approved as well.
“We are shooting to have the minor approved in one year,” Hickman said. “It should benefit many UO students who would like some experience in digital media and design to complement to their work in their major.”
Multimedia Design will prepare students for jobs as print designers, art directors, art professors, 2-D and 3-D animators, web designers, multimedia designers, and managers.
The program is said to be multi-tasked, or not focusing on one small niche. Students will be introduced to the design process and principles, the sensibility of visual language and the art of problem solving in multimedia communication.
“We believe everyone can benefit from a working knowledge of multimedia design,” Hickman said.
How does this new program compare to similar graphic design programs offered at other Oregon universities?
“Lane is really vocational and technical, while our program offers a liberal arts degree, plus a whole years’ worth of work, where you end up with a final show and a final project, ” Burkhart said.
Oregon State University also has a graphic design program which “is traditionally based on typography and layout while our program is more 3-D and animation based,” Burkhart said.
Students wishing to enter the program winter term must apply by Oct. 13.
For more information about the Multimedia Design major, check out their home page at http://mmd.uoregon.edu/.