Why study digital arts at BGSU in Ohio?
- Outstanding faculty. BGSU digital arts faculty are accomplished artists and highly-skilled educators who care about the future of this field and are committed to providing students with quality instruction and mentorship.
- Growing demand. Opportunities in the digital arts are projected to increase in the coming years. This reflects rising demand for visual and interactive content across industries. Salaries are about 50% higher than the national average.
- State-of-the-art studios and equipment. At BGSU, you’ll have access to impressive library collections, studio spaces, galleries, software and more.
- The Wolfe Center for the Arts features three digital art studio classrooms with video editing workstations, high-dynamic range wide format printers, high-end A/V equipment for student checkout, 3D printers and high-resolution scanners.
- In the Fine Arts Center, there’s a Stop Motion Animation Studio, a Production Studio and an Integrated Fabrication Studio, as well as three galleries.
- The staffed Media Center allows students to check out professional AV/AR equipment and gear at no charge.
- Connect with other creators. Collaboration fuels creativity. Digital arts majors have many forums in which to connect with other artists, including student organizations, the BGSU Arts Village Learning Community and community art outreach programs.
- Travel the world. Earn college credit toward your BFA in digital arts while living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The BGSU study abroad program has two partner schools in Florence, Italy: the International Studies Institute and the Santa Reparata International School of Art. Grants and scholarships may be available through the RING Fund and the School of Art Experiential Learning Fund – particularly if you have limited prior travel experience.
- Medici Circle sponsorships. Transcend traditional classroom experiences with Medici Circle sponsorships. These cover costs for student field trips to art exhibitions in major cities, student travel for presentations, conferences and workshops, and acquisition of student work for the Fine Arts Center Galleries.
- Professional development. You’ll graduate with a strong portfolio – ready to step right into professional roles. Our ACM SIGGRAPH student chapter has been named one of the top 3 most active in the world.
BGSU is the largest state art school in Ohio.
Career - what can you do with a digital arts degree?
BGSU students have landed internships and jobs at places like:
- Microsoft Studios
- Walt Disney Animation Studios
- Blue Sky Studios (Ice Age and Robots)
- Dreamworks Animation (Shrek and Kung Fu Panda)
- Blizzard (World of Warcraft)
- Nike Global
- Bioware
- Riot Games
- Jam City
- Pinnacle Studios
- Max Gaming Studios
Creative industries are a driving force in today’s economy. Digital arts professionals are at the forefront of the revolution. Graduates of this digital arts bachelor’s degree pursue exciting and impactful careers in a wide range of industries, including entertainment, education, healthcare, marketing and beyond.
Some examples of digital art jobs:
- Designing educational apps that engage students
- Creating medical animations to help patients understand complex procedures
- Conceptualizing and creating memorable characters for animation, gaming or film
- Developing user-friendly interfaces for websites, apps and AR/VR experiences
- Crafting intricate digital sculptures for animation, gaming or product design
Digital artists are curious, imaginative and creative. Many are storytellers at heart with a knack for technology and an interest in experimenting with new tools. They thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy working with creative people to bring big ideas to life.
Career paths
- 2D or 3D animator
- Special effects artist
- Technical director
- Creative product designer
- Gameplay programmer
- Modeler
- Concept artist
- Digital illustrator
- Web design animator
- Motion graphics artist
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
BGSU digital arts degree options
The School of Art at BGSU offers several different tracks to study digital arts. We encourage prospective students to explore each before deciding which most closely aligns with their long-term goals.
Undergraduate programs
- BFA in digital art. This degree offers extensive in-depth study of digital arts, with a heavy emphasis on art and technical skills. This is typically for students committed to specialized roles in digital arts.
- Bachelor of Art (B.A.) in art with a specialization in digital arts. This is ideal for those looking for a broad liberal arts education with moderate depth of study in digital arts. Graduates are prepared for entry-level digital arts roles, but with the flexibility to leverage their skill sets in other disciplines such as computer science or communications.
- BFA in graphic design. This is the track for students primarily eyeing a graphic design job, such as web designer, UX designer, creative director or brand manager.
Graduate programs
- MFA in digital arts. Those with a related bachelor’s degree enroll in this two-year degree program that opens the door to leadership, research and teaching roles in computer animation, gaming, AI, physical computing, hybrid media and more.
- M.Des. in integrative design. Those looking to earn a digital arts degree online can choose this low-residency, online hybrid program (the only one of its kind in the country) for design professionals looking to broaden their professional skills and marketability.
BGSU also has the option of a minor in digital arts, which can enhance career opportunities in complementary fields such as graphic design, marketing, education or STEM professions.
BGSU is ranked among the top animation school programs in Ohio by Animation Career Review.
Curriculum
The digital arts BFA curriculum is designed to challenge, inspire and prepare you with all the knowledge, skills and connections you need to make your mark on the creative world.
Beyond simply mastering the use of industry-standard software, you are taught to think critically and innovate creatively – with courses in digital imaging, character design, visual storytelling, creative coding and 3D modeling. We explore the theoretical, aesthetic and cultural aspects of digital media while offering hands-on experience with advanced professional tools.
Students start with core art foundations (design, drawing and media) to build technical and creative skills. From there, they progress to specialized coursework in their chosen area of focus: animation, gaming and virtual environments, or interdisciplinary learning.
The senior capstone experience includes a senior studio course, a professional practices and presentation course and a senior thesis. Graduates will have a minimum of 122 credit hours, including 40 hours at the 3000/4000 level.
Students looking for personalized guidance in choosing courses and tailoring their academic experience may consult with the digital arts faculty.
Sample courses
- 3D Digital Animation
- 3D Modeling
- Advanced Digital Imaging Art Studio
- Animation Effects
The digital arts program is part of the School of Art in the BGSU College of Arts and Sciences.
Updated: 03/21/2025 12:09PM