Digital Arts
Welcome to the world of digital design where Digital Arts faculty will guide you through from the basics to polished, finished, industry-ready projects. Exploring the world of digital arts and the relationship with culture and music. Here we learn to capture, manipulate, and present imagery for use in real-world applications. Our goal is to help our students develop captivating and industry-ready projects to add to their portfolios.
Students will be focused on developing a variety of exciting assignments culminating in a semi-professional portfolio presentation featuring a wide range of captivating and industry-ready works.
Digital Arts focuses on sketching, color theory, typography, shapes, and imagery in relation to creating amazing graphics. While you will be studying historically relevant works, you will also focus on current trends in graphic design.
In the end, students will have extensive exposure to real-world experience with regard to design and digital design which will help guide them in their own creative endeavors.
Learning Objectives
Students will know and understand the 10 elements of composition. Students will know and understand typography and aesthetics. Students will know how to digitally store, organize, and showcase graphic designs in a multimedia package. Students will understand human anatomy in relation to character design. Students will begin to develop their portfolios.
Artistic Expectations
Students will use industry-standard design tools to create artwork addressing assignment topics and requirements.
Required Courses
Foundations to Digital Arts
- Digital Drawing I
- Photoshop I
- Advanced Photoshop Manipulation
- Animation Prinicple
Digital Arts II – A/B
- 3D Modeling I
- Adobe Illustrator I/II
- Animation I
- Graphic Design Lab I
- Adobe Premier I
- Digital Photography I
Digital Arts III – A/B
- 3D Modeling II
- Typography & Advanced Typography
- Digital Media I
- Graphic Design Lab II
- Lighting & Audio
- Type Image & Motion
Please view our Program of Studies here.
Audition/Portfolio Requirements
Please submit some of your favorite works of art that best represent you and will guide us on your growth in the arts.
This includes graphic design, animation, digital photography, video presentations, and more.
For your portfolio, you can submit a mix of videos, designs created on the computer or phone apps, photos, game designs, or even storyboards or write-ups of your vision for the media you want to make. We realize not everyone has the tools to make these things, so pick the mix of items from the list below that works best for you.
Portfolio options include any of the following. Aim for 5-10 examples from the following list below.
- Video or audio file (not music) that you worked on.
- Digital photography
- Stop motion animation
- A demonstration of a game on a laptop or mobile device.
- Character designs for a game or animated project
- Logos, package designs, or other branding elements
- Posters
- Graphic art pieces
- Hand-drawn designs you want to make digital, or written descriptions of ideas.
- Something that shows your passion!
The easiest option is to attach digital files to an email. Links to shared digital drives or other web-based compilations will also be accepted. If you encounter a technology barrier to submit, just email and we’ll work through it.
Opportunities/Events
Digital Arts Organization: Yearbook Club
- Headlined Streetwear Fashion Show in NYC during Fashion Week.
- Designed Award Winning Graphics for NASA and The International Space Station.
- Designed wardrobe for Nine Inch Nails during their “Pretty Hate Machine” Tour.
- Designed wardrobe for MTV New York
- Designed Merchandise for “The Clarks”
- Designed Products and Accessories for Harley-Davidson, Coca-Cola, MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, NCAA
Past Awards
Design excellence Award from NASA Hall of Engineers.
Digital Arts Instructors
Select a faculty member’s name to view their professional background and contact information.
Rob Schultz | rschultz@westinghousearts.org
Rob Schultz |rshultz@westinghousearts.org | 412-646-1718 Ext. 5221
Jon (Rob) Shultz’s design aesthetic revolves around a pinch of a retro flair mixed in with some art-deco and industrial influences. His work ranges from graphic design to product and mixed media design to painting and sculpture. Shultz has worked with major brands/clients including Harley-Davidson, Coca-Cola, Playboy, Littlearth, RUE 21, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Spencer Gifts, REI, Hobie, Eyetique, and MTV. Now an instructor at Westinghouse Arts Academy, Shultz has found a great home where he brings a cornucopia of experience and a lifetime of real-world success.
Alea Del Prete | adelprete@westinghousearts.org
Alea Del Prete | adelprete@westinghousearts.org | 412-646-1718 Ext. 5209
