Hello, I’m looking for schools like RIT that offers a degree based in computer science AND design. The New Media Interactive Development degree at RIT offers the perfect balance between technology, media, and design. I’m looking for schools that do the same.
I’m looking for schools with a multimedia computer science/programming focus. RITs program called “New Media Interactive Development” focuses on graphic design, photographic imaging, video, publishing, programming, and information technology to develop skills in interactive media and web technologies.
Are there other schools that offer similar programs geared to computer science and programming with a focus on various medium and technologies?
@Hiseson
I researched the schools below with my son who is interested in Graphic Design with an emphasis on technology. These schools may not have programs exactly like the one you mentioned at RIT but are similar in the sense that they place more emphasis on technology than art. You may always mix and match your own courses at these schools to replicate what RIT has.
Marist (Digital Media)
RPI (EMAC)
Philadelphia University (several programs in the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commmerce)
Of these, Philadelphia University was the least well known but impressed us. They have a terrific approach where students (even freshmen) with different majors work in teams to work on real world problems. I believe they call it Nexus Learning.
Lehigh may be another option but I though it was weaker than the others for design.
Below are two more schools we found out about but after my son had already sent out all his applications so we did not visit them.
Champlain College (Communication and Creative Media Majors) in VT
Becker College (School of Technology and Design) in MA
Also, you may want to look at Sarah Lawrence – https://www.sarahlawrence.edu/undergraduate/cross-disciplinary-paths/games-interactive-art-new-genres/
Hampshire – https://www.hampshire.edu/areas-of-study/digital-media
As Hampshire is part of the 5-college consortium you can take computer science courses at any of the 5 colleges. There’s a free bus system between campuses. The other schools are Smith, Mt. Holyoke, Amherst and UMass Amherst.
Also look into University of Utah which has been named tops in the country for some of its digital media programs – https://archive.unews.utah.edu/news_releases/u-grows-to-satisfy-growing-market-in-digital-media/
My son is interested in the same combination and we are visiting RIT in about two weeks. It does seem to have the best blend of the two fields.
At this point he is not sure if he wants to do industrial design or graphic design with comp sci. Our spring break tour leans more towards industrial (University of Oregon, University of Washington, RIT, Syracuse University). Purdue is on the list for a Good Friday visit.
He is enrolled at the DAAP summer camp University of Cincinnati for industrial design to find out more about this field. From there we will also visit Ohio State, Carnegie Mellon, UPitt (not for design but if he decides otherwise). Clemson and Boston University are two other considerations. As well as University of Minnesota (older brother attends and he could combine CS and Design at this school and University of Illinois - Champaign (but there CS department is really tough to get into).
I know Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech (I think) would have programs to combine the two as well.
We live in the midwest so my preference leans there.