Electronic Media, Arts, and Communication

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The B.S. in EMAC (Electronic Media, Arts, and Communication) is a unique interdisciplinary curriculum that includes courses in communication as well as in digital art and animation, video, electronic music, and graphic design, supported by Rensselaer’s strong technological infrastructure. The program encourages EMAC students to be creative problem solvers, critical thinkers, team leaders, and entrepreneurs who will use technology in innovative ways in industry, art, and education, giving them a flexible advantage in today’s challenging economy. The EMAC curriculum offers concentrations in Multisensory Data Design, Digital Storytelling (Animation, Video, Game Design), Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Marketing Communication and Design, and Sound Design and Popular Culture. Students may enhance their education by adding a minor, dual major, study abroad, internship, or even a co-terminal graduate program. 

Concentrations

Multisensory Data Design

Large, complex data sets require new forms of data representation. In this concentration, students use visuals, sound, interaction, and large-scale, immersive environments to explore innovative concepts in multisensory design for data analysis, communication and art practice. The concentration provides research opportunities to create intuitive tools that leverage our innate abilities to understand data using different sensory modalities.

Digital Storytelling

Students learn to use narrative theory, computer graphics, animation, and video technology to develop innovative concepts in storytelling for education, community building, interactive art, entertainment, and business.

Graphic Design

This interdisciplinary concentration integrates design theory and practice into a program that prepares students for professional practice and graduate study in creative problem solving for print, electronic media, and interactive multimedia design.

Interaction Design

This concentration integrates the study and practice of multimedia production and human-computer interaction (HCI). Students focus on interaction and web design, information architecture, and usability theory and testing.

Marketing Communication and Design

This concentration merges the study of communication media with traditional print and electronic design, enabling students to understand communication and media theory and its impact on marketing communication and design. Completion of this concentration will enable students to define and establish marketing objectives, design marketing campaigns using a variety of media (including 2D print, graphics, and interactive media), and assess the effectiveness of these marketing campaigns.

Sound Design and Popular Culture

This concentration combines music theory and creative composition, computer music, sound theory and technology, music history, and studies in popular culture.

Outcomes of the Undergraduate Curriculum

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to demonstrate:

• creative and critical thinking abilities with expertise in advanced electronic multimedia.
• an ability to use multimedia to communicate and create in commercial, academic, and/or artistic spheres.
• knowledge of the theoretical frameworks and professional skills for creating and shaping the impact of technology on today’s society.
• creative and critical thinking abilities with expertise in communication (oral, written, etc.).

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