Frequently Asked Questions about New Media 


Interdisciplinary Digital Studio
The Pennsylvania State University
210 Patterson Building
University Park, PA 16802
814.865.0444


What is New Media?
What is the difference between the New Media program and iDS programs?
I am still confused...what is the difference between the digital media degrees: B. Des, BFA, BA?
I am very interested in 3D animation and gaming...is this the right program?


What is New Media?

New Media at Penn State focuses study on the creation, authoring, exhibiting, and critique of interactive multimedia artworks. Courses in this area enable students to explore and experiment with the intergration of emerging technologies within current studio practice.

What is the difference between the New Media and iDS Programs?

Differences between New Media and iDS: Whereas both New Media and iDS are comprehensive digital art and design programs, the former leans more toward digital design study whereas the latter leans more toward digital fine arts study. While neither offers the “specialized training” of a technical school, there are opportunities for students to focus their interests in a particular digital medium once they have acquired the broader base of knowledge and experience that our program offers. We believe that a program like ours enables students to develop that broad base in digital art and design, which will prepare them for the creative and intellectual challenges in the digital marketplace after graduation.

Please check our website http://www.sova.psu.edu for information about New Media, New Media and all of SoVA programs and admissions portfolio process.

I am still confused...what is the difference between the digital media degrees: B. Des, BFA, BA?


ARTBA-New Media is a general degree with emphasis in the New Media area of concentration in Visual Arts. The B.A. degree provides a comprehensive liberal education coupled with professional resident instruction. Depending on each student's objectives and course choices, this degree provides preparation for a professional career, a foundation for graduate studies, or liberal arts education in digital art/design.
ARTBFA-New Media (entrance review required) is a specialized degree in the New Media area of concentration in Visual Arts. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree requires thorough preparation and is intended to develop a level of competence that will enable persons who wish to pursue professional careers in digital art/design to prepare themselves for specialized graduate studies, specialized professional training, and/or immediate participation in creative digital art/design fields.
B DES-iDS (entrance review required) is a specialized degree in digital design in Visual Arts. Bachelor of Design degree requires thorough preparation and is intended to develop a level of competence that will enable persons who wish to pursue professional careers in digital design to prepare themselves for specialized graduate studies, specialized professional training, and/or immediate participation in creative digital design fields.

I am very interested in 3D animation and gaming...is this the right program?

Yes. 3D animation and gaming are possible areas of specialization in the New Media as well as the iDS Programs.

This New Media Program is part of the Penn State School of Visual Arts
a division of the College of Arts and Architecture
at The Pennsylvania State University

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