Visual Arts Department Revamps Degrees

Lyndon State's Visual Arts department is putting LSC on the map.

"The Visual Arts department is in the process of transitioning from having graphic design and new media majors being separate, to being one major," said Nicholas Montgomery, a senior graphic design and new media major. "As far as we know right now, we're going to be the only college in the country doing this. None of the really big art schools are even doing this, so this is really progressive."

Philip Parisi, Department Chair for the Visual Arts, confirmed the belief that Lyndon is the only college with this type of program, but added they are looking at schools across the country to be sure.

"I'm believing that we're the only one, but I don't know that for a fact," said Parisi. "There's been a lot of talk of how they teach these two very specific disciplines as one, and I think we've nailed it."

The process to combine the majors began in 2010 and the changing industry was a driving force behind the new programs.

"We've been seeing a lot of very contemporary, entry level job descriptions and what we realized, two years ago, is that the students, if they're in New Media, really need to be in Graphic Design as well, and vice versa," said Parisi.

The department is adding two new programs. The combination of graphic design and new media will become a bachelor of fine arts (BFA) in design. A bachelor of fine arts includes a heavier concentration in art history. The department has also added a visual communications major. Both are set to be offered in the upcoming fall 2012 semester.

"We have some freshmen that would be able to make a very easy transition to either one of these degrees and it wouldn't affect anything. Juniors and seniors, we're probably going to tell them not to make any changes," said Parisi.

The consolidation of the two majors will also result in the consolidation of certain classes, which will affect upperclassmen trying to fulfill the requirements of older course catalogs. Parisi said that upperclassmen should not have a problem getting the classes they need.

Charles Lockwood, a senior digital media, graphic design print and illustration major, commented on the steps the LSC Visual Arts department is taking; saying that the new program was a wise decision.

"It's an exciting idea really. Ground-breaking you could say," said Lockwood. "Champlain College, in Burlington, is going in the completely opposite direction and it shows in the student work that they have to show for it. It's going to cause more issues down the road."

A sophomore portfolio class called, "Design Review" will also be added, in conjunction with the new major.

"The portfolio review used to be mid-way through your career. You submit a portfolio of your work and it goes in front of your professors and peers. They judge it and see if you're on the right track to be where you need to be," said Lockwood. "Now in the new major, they're making that a class to help build and put your work together."

Lockwood said that the industry has a strong focus on web design; therefore a strong portfolio and experience with web and print design is necessary.

"You don't want to go out there with a crappy portfolio or nothing to show for the four years that you have put in, and then not find a job," said Lockwood. "I think this is the best idea. What you really need is to be able to do both web design work and print work. That's what everybody expects at this point."

The members of the New Media Studio class have contributed to the new program by creating brochures and other promotional material to not only promote the department and its new programs, but also to help clear up any confusion students may have when registering for classes.

"In the new media studio class, that we have this semester, we're not just doing a brochure for the program, we're actually, as a class, redesigning … all the advertising and marketing material for that," said Lockwood.

A cinema production minor has also been added to the department, with a possible bachelor's degree coming in the future. The department has also added an associate's in art and visual communications.