09 DIGITAL ARTS

00 INTRODUCTION

09 DIGITAL ARTS and DESIGN

The Digital Art and Design Department is excited to be included in the No 5 ATMO magazine, a publication showcasing outstanding student work.

DA&D strives to implement pedagogical methodologies, and infuse them with emerging technologies to form the future. Here, we enable creativity and discovery, and help students become visual artists and communication designers, storytellers, and entrepreneurs.

Through curricular innovation, the use of cutting-edge technologies and under the guidance of accomplished faculty, students explore new territories, rise above disciplinary boundaries and become the thinkers and makers of the next generations.

With programs in graphic design, digital arts, art and technology, and UX/UI, we prepare our students for a wide variety of careers, merging academia with the professional world, fostering imagination and curiosity and providing them with unprecedented opportunities to shape our world. All our programs offer capstone or Thesis courses which serve as syntheses of all skills and competencies students obtained during their studies. In the past pandemic year, we rose to the occasion and continued delivering solid education and experiences to our students in spite of the difficult logistical challenges and the emotionally charged environment. We worked hard to continue giving workshops, doing research and being involved with community outreach and engagement initiatives. Some of the highlights include: CITYarts 3D Design Contest, Virtual Summer Academy for Middle School students, Game Design workshops for Community College students in the tri-state area, International UX/UI Design Sprint workshop with École Intuit Lab in Mumbai, AR workshop at Workshop at French Institute Alliance Française, Workshops in AR and VR for the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum’s Girl’s Science & Engineering Day, and many others.

In the Fall of 2021, it was announced that DA&D would join the School of Architecture and Design and we embraced this prospect with enthusiasm and excitement. As we emerge from the difficult times that have restricted us over the past two years, we are moving ahead with optimism and looking forward to a cross-pollination of ideas, knowledge, and experiences between all departments.

Rozina Vavetsi Chair, Digital Art and Design Department - SoAD at NYIT

FACULTY

Rozina Vavetsi Patty Wongkpakdee Michael Hosenfeld Kevin Park Anila Jaho

DRAWING 2

This class is designed to build on the foundation provided by Drawing I. We will examine the technical means of representing three-dimensional subjects on a two-dimensional surface, focusing on proportion, anatomy and perspective. Studio time will be devoted to lectures, drawing from life and critiques of student work.

Kayla Anderson Professor Carrie Rubenstein Spring 2021

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

An introduction to the fundamentals of photography. Emphasis on procedures and aesthetic approaches to the medium.

This is a hands-on introduction to the fundamentals of digital photography. Students will learn basic photographic skills including camera operation, exposure, black and white and color digital processing, and digital output. Students will learn how to input photographic images via a digital camera into a computer. In-class demonstrations, exercises, discussions as well as outside of class assignments, allow students to become knowledgeable on how to digitally enhance, creatively manipulate and effectively communicate their ideas using photographic images and the computer. An introduction to the history of photography and photographic criticism will also be covered.

Mulosmanaj Gjuljana, Luna Nic Professor Jennifer Formica Fall 2020

EDITORIAL DESIGN

The course studies the principles and practicalities of Editorial Design in a wide spectrum of applications and themes. Students produce a series of design projects (from thumbnail to rough to smooth to refined designs) and develop publications that respect language, content, functional layout and navigation, as much as look and aesthetics.

Through case studies, hands-on exercises, weekly assignments and real world projects students develop effective communicative designs incorporating typography, image manipulation, sophisticated layout, and info-graphics into compelling and entertaining editorial solutions.

Valle Fernanda, Ashlynn Reynolds, Jessica Antoinetti Professor Asya Blue Spring 2021

ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY

Advanced Typography covers the powerful properties of type in the making of visual communication. Projects will integrate typographic knowledge with form, image, sequence and narrative. Typeface design is also explored and incorporated into the course projects. Other exercises include advanced type problems such as expressive typography in package design and type in motion.

Students will be equipped with aesthetic, conceptual and technical problem solving skills to design and think critically about typography. They will apply their obtained typographic knowledge to develop compelling projects, combining form, image, sequence and narrative at a professional level.

Valle Fernanda, Palacios Karina, Justin Santiago, Lilliana Allende Professor Aysa Blue Spring 2021

TYPOGRAPHY

A course in type awareness and design. To explore the history of typography, origins of the alphabet, type families, and designing with type. Learning skills will cover type preferences, type moods, working with display and text type, utilizing the appropriate software for various type design projects.

Students will learn about the history of letterform and typography, origins of the alphabet, main type families, proportions, structure, optical adjustments, anatomy and type design. Learning skills will cover type preferences, type moods, spacing & copy fitting methods. Students will be encouraged to deal with type design rather than mere typesetting. throughout the course. Aesthetic issues include concept and composition as well the development of a unique “signature” style.

Lilliana Allende, Meghan Jansen Professor Asya Blue Fall 2020

ILLUSTRATION

Techniques pertinent to editorial design. Advanced illustration techniques using pencil, gouache, tempera, watercolor, and magic marker. Through lectures, assignments, and demonstrations, students will gain a stronger understanding of the field and practice of illustration. We will discuss different processes and uses for illustration, ranging from its analog history to modern digital options. Students will examine the work of professional illustrators from conceptual, aesthetic, and practical perspectives. Focal point, composition, and value will be emphasized for the purpose of visual communication. Students will hone their knowledge of observational and creative processes in order to develop a range of practical illustration-related skills that can be used for both personal work and a variety of professional assignments

Kelly Glielmi, Julian Carrozza Professor Ryan Seslow Spring 2021

INFORMATION DESIGN

Information Design is the visual representation of data, facts or knowledge to communicate information in clear, understandable and effortless ways to diverse users and contexts. In this class students become visual journalists and organize complex data in visually interesting designs using the appropriate visualization methods to maximize memorability. They gather and analyze data, deal with information flow, hierarchy and arrangement of visual elements to develop communicative compositions with great impact.

Shishi Gu, Fernanda Valle, Tessitor Cameron, Amelia Razakm, Stacie Kiriazis Patty Wongpakdee Fall 2020

PACKAGE DESIGN

A study in two and three-dimensional package design, creating innovative and functional packaging to promote the manufactured product. Learning skills will include designs for labels, various shaped containers, and point of purchase in store counter-top display.

Zhang Bolun, Stacie Kirazis, Valle Fernanda, Meghan Jansen, Ricardo Villaroel Professor Patty Wongpakdee Fall 2020

ADVERTISING DESIGN

Advertising Design will introduce students to principles of advertising. Emphasis will be given to advertising methodologies and techniques, definition of the target audience, marketing objectives and competition, copy-writing, effective communication and persuasion, principles of design and campaign development for a variety of media including posters, brochures, packaging, TV storyboards, and billboard advertising.

The course is an introduction to visual communication theory and methodology, principles of design and production processes, and provides important insights into how advertising is done and the critical questions that must be answered. It provides a focus on what principles and practices make advertising effective: symbols, visual perception, conceptualization and layout stages, design principles, typography, illustration and imaging, color, print production, AND computer graphics.

Students: Ricardo Villaroel, Afrika Conteh, JJA Professor Luba Lukova Fall 2020

INDEPENDENT STUDY

Independent Study is an advanced course for graduate students to carry out independent projects of their own design, with an emphasis on self-directed creative work. Students should be equipped with the appropriate knowledge of their specialization by the time they enter this course. Content for the project is selected by the student under guidance of the professor. This is a repeatable course.

Students work independently on a project that they design and manage themselves. Students learn time management and other real-world skills as they direct themselves during this semester-long project. The course assumes a knowledge of the software and art/design skills needed to complete the project. Group projects are an option.

Alex Wang, Yu zhou Hancock Professor Michael Hosenfeld Spring 2021

Melissa Montero Professor Michael Hosenfeld Fall 2020

SENIOR THESIS PRODUCTION II

A continuation of Thesis Production I ARTC-405. In this course, senior digital arts students complete their thesis project as it was proposed in their thesis proposal. The course consists of studio class time and critique.

Chang Wanzhou, Jialing Han Professor Michael Hosenfeld Spring 2021

ADVERTISING DESIGN

OMalley Liam, Fernanda Valle Professor Louie Aragon Fall 2020

COMPUTER GRAPHICS I

This introductory course in digital image-making surveys current digital tools and techniques used in the computer graphics field. Through assigned projects, students will develop an understanding of common computer-based graphics and design workflows. They will also learn skills to develop their ideas into a graphic format.

This course introduces students to basic concepts in 2D digital imaging and communication design. Students will explore creative possibilities using professional software (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign); hardware (a scanner, digital camera, tablet, and printer); and creative processes (drawing, painting, collage). In addition, students will be informed about fundamentals of digital art production through exposure to terminology, technical concepts, and contemporary and historical artworks.

Illan Cohen Vasquez, Aleksandr Treyger, Eden Beeks, Diaz Yenifer Professor Anila Jaho Fall 2020

TIME & MOTION

This course provides a framework for four-dimensional design through the study of time and motion. It provides a foundation to concepts leading to further study in time-based and emerging media and teaches fundamentals and principles related to interactivity of design and the element of time. Such 4D design principles as simultaneity and juxtaposition, duration, energy dynamics, causality, musicality, and much more will be introduced and applied in projects created in this course, which will also address aspects of non-linear storytelling, interactive story writing, and editing processes.

Justin Santiago Professor Anila Jaho Fall 2020

TIME & MOTION

Yi Chen Sun, Nic Luna, Trevor Rampersaud, Lilliana Allende, Ashlynn Reynolds, Chidera Semper-Henry, Patrick McCready Professor Anila Jaho Fall 2020

3D DESIGN COMPETITION

The Digital Art & Design department at New York Tech works to connect its students with local communities and real-world applications where art and design lives and breathes.

In the Spring of 2021, the department worked closely with the nonprofit CITYarts organization’s Cooking with Color initiative, aiming to mentor at-risk youth by involving them in hands-on cooking sessions and educating them on how to make healthy nutritional choices.

Rozina Vavetsi, M.Sc., Associate Professor and Chair of the department, served as liaison between CITYarts and New York Tech and led a team of faculty, staff and students to create innovative 3D printed designs of saltand-pepper containers to celebrate gastronomy and the organization’s empowering effort.

Anila Jaho, Visiting Professor, played a pivotal role in this initiative, mentoring a group of 3D Modeling and Animation students who participated enthusiastically in the competition and submitted exceptional designs.

The New York Tech students who were recognized for their award-winning designs:

First-place winner: Matthew Neville, mentored by Prof. Anila Jaho

Second-place winner: Olivia Flores-Nieves (B.F.A. ’21), mentored by Technical Support Specialist Brian Lau

Third-place winner: Yi Chen Sun, mentored by Prof. Anila Jaho

Second Award, Olivia Flores

Third Award, Yi Chen Sun

First Award, Matthew Neville

Contestant, Katrina Alvarez

Olivia Flores, Yi Chen Sun, Matthew Neville, Katrina Alvarez Professor Anila Jaho Fall 2020

ANIMATION & FILM FESTIVAL

The Animation and film festival has become a traditional yearly event that the Digital Arts Department, in cooperation with the Communication Arts Department, has organized since 2014. This event celebrates and encourages students’ best work and has served to promote our department. It has been a valuable tool for recruiting students and increasing our visibility. Further, it inspires our students and faculty to reach new heights every year.

Creating animations is a long process. Some of these works are done within a semester, and others have taken far longer. It has been amazing to see the wide array of styles and techniques that underlie the value we place on encouraging individualism and personal expression in art, in addition to learning the software.

Before the pandemic, the festival was organized every May at our Broadway location. During the pandemic, we managed to organize rather successful online festivals. In the past couple of years both premiered online, which online presentation has been established far better than in previous years. Below are two links to the festivals’ recordings.

https://www.nyit.edu/arts_and_sciences/animation_ film_festival

https://www.nyit.edu/arts_and_sciences/2020_animation_and_film_festival_awards

For the next year, we would like to continue to celebrate this event in person while including an online documentation, as we did in these past couple of years. This has been an important venue for marketing, recruiting students, and making our department visible.

Organizers of the event:

Anila Jaho for Animations from DAD Paul Demonte for Films from CA

Poster by Anila Jaho

Best New York Tech Animation: ‘Overgrown’ by Gabriel Intirieri

Best Animation Storytelling: ‘Flowers For The Rain’ by John Bekios

Best Animation Style: ‘Paraliezed’ by Adam Marano

Best Animation Style: ‘Rain’ by Qing Zhi Chen

Gabriel Intirieri, John Bekios, Adam Marano, Qing Zhi Chen Professor Anila Jaho Fall 2020

Best Animation Style, Shadows by Haley Akl

Main Art Work on the poster is by Qing Zhi Chen Poster by Anila Jaho

Best New York Tech Animation 2021, Croaking Criminals by Olivia Flores Nieves Also, participant of NYC ACM SIGGRAPH

Best Animation Storytelling 2021, Nostalgia by Isabella Butterfield & Falling by Wanzhou Chang

Haley Akl, Qing Zhi Chen, Olivia Flores Nieves, Wanzhou Chang Professor Anila Jaho Spring 2021

3D MODELING & ANIMATION

In this course, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of 3D modeling and animation using the industry standard 3D animation software. With hands-on exercises and demonstrations, students will learn introductory skills on modeling, texturing, animating, lighting, and rendering in three dimensions. There will be heavy emphasis on modeling. Critiques and discussions will enable students to identify positive and negative features of a variety of artworks including 3D animated works. Students will utilize these techniques together with original concepts and ideas to produce unique animations for their final projects. Upon completion of the course, students create animation projects from start to finish, using a single artist pipeline.

David Wheeler, Kelly Glielmi, Aliyah Pimento, Rita Akhmetzianova, Melissa Desiree Montero Fulcar, Aliah Khan, Christina Marie Gitter Professor Anila Jaho & Pete Karnik Fall 2020 & Spring 21