What is Arts & Imaging Studies?

People who work in the arts, imaging, and printing fields are responsible for designing, organizing, and producing print and web-based media for business, communication, publishing, packaging, manufacturing, entertainment, and advertising markets. This is a very large, exciting field that requires a variety of computer-based and traditional visual skills. The Arts & Imaging Studies Department provides opportunities for students to enter various careers ranging from creative to highly technical positions at various degree levels.

The Arts & Imaging Studies Department offers three kinds of programs:

• a seven-quarter associate degree program, preparing students to enter the job market directly after graduation
• a pre-baccalaureate program for students preparing for transfer into a bachelors degree program
• a support services program, providing individualized support for NTID students majoring in College of Imaging Arts and Sciences (CIAS) programs

Program Accreditation

The Arts & Imaging Studies program is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools or Art and Design (NASAD) <http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/>

Career-Focused Degree Options

The Arts & Imaging Studies program offers two associate degrees: the AOS (Associate in Occupational Studies). Both degrees are career-focused; they have the same technical course requirements and are designed to prepare students for direct employment following graduation. Many students in the AAS are accepted into related BFA/BS programs.

A&IS Entry Requirements

Successful completion of a sampling experience offered during the Summer Vestibule Program and also during the academic year. The sampling activities provide opportunities for students to learn about the arts and imaging field, identify career opportunities, and evaluate their interest and aptitude for a degree program.

A&IS Core Courses

The core courses are required for all students majoring in Arts & Imaging Studies AAS and AOS programs. Six of the core courses are scheduled during the first year and an additional four during the second year. The first-year core courses are also available for students from other programs who wish to “sample” the Arts & Imaging Studies program.

A&IS Concentrations

Four concentrations are available in the Arts & Imaging Studies curriculum:

• Graphic Artist
• Photo Imaging Specialist
• Print Publishing Specialist
• Web Design Developer

Each of the concentrations includes seven courses with a total of 21 credits. Concentration courses are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of the program. Each concentration is designed to lead to career opportunities which best fit the student’s interests and aptitudes.

A&IS Electives

The AAS/AOS curriculum includes 12 credits of technical electives and 3 credits of free electives. A set of strongly recommended technical elective courses have been identified for each program concentration. These electives are intended to enhance employability after graduation. Other technical elective courses are eccptable with department approvalFree electives can be selected from any program within RIT, depending on availability and prerequisites.

Pre-Baccalaureate Options

Entering students who are close to but not fully ready for a baccalaureate degree program may qualify for a “Pre-Bacc” sequence of courses, designed as a bridge to a CIAS program. These courses are planned on an individual basis, working with an academic advisor for the specific baccalaureate program desired.

College of Imaging Arts and Sciences Support

Support services play an important role in the success of NTID students who are majoring in CIAS bachelors or masters degree programs. These services include: academic advising, tutoring, and other mainstream classroom strategies, and assisting students in preparing to enter a CIAS program. The NTID Access Services department provides requested interpreting, C-print, and notetaking services.

A&IS Faculty and Staff

The Arts & Imaging Studies faculty and staff are truly student-oriented and work closely with career counselors and employment advisors to better enable students to reach their highest potential.

Work Experience

All Arts & Imaging Studies AAS/AOS students gain real work experience through a required, one-quarter cooperative education experience (co-op). Upon satisfactory completion of the co-op, students complete

a required Practicum/Portfolio Development course,

in which they work as part of a team to complete real work assignments for various clients from the RIT campus and the Rochester community.

Places of Employment

Graduates usually find employment in a variety of commercial, corporate, government, and educational settings. Examples include computer graphics firms, advertising agencies, art studios, printing plants, prepress, and color trade shop companies; in-house printing departments; book and magazine publishing houses; newspaper facilities; government agencies; custom or commercial photographic labs; in-house industrial photographic labs; industrial training or media departments; imaging production houses; educational media centers; newspapers; manufacturing, printing, and publishing firms; educational institutions; and government agencies.

Positions for Which Graduates Qualify

Graduates will qualify for positions such as computer graphics artist, graphic designer, desktop publishing artist, layout artist, digital photo artist, digital image capture technician, image preparation technician, digital prepress technician, web site designer, web site technician, and digital printing systems operator.