Art + Design

The Art + Design major at Salem State University offers a surprisingly affordable education in one of most creative cities in Massachusetts. Salem has a world class art museum, lots of creative opportunities, beautiful public murals and many successful design agencies.

Our courses give you an in-depth experience in visual arts and design with an emphasis on studio production and portfolio development. Develop your creativity through discovery while building your observational and critical skills.  While you are here you will expand your ability to use verbal, written and visual language effectively. You will engage in interesting creative challenges with both intuition and logic. Most importantly, you’ll get creative right away!

Learn about real students who studied art + design at Salem State

Jessi Hardesty

Jessi Hardesty '11

Art + Design, Printmaking

"My memories of Salem State are overwhelmingly positive. What really stands out most to me, though, are the late nights spent in the studio. Having 24-hour access to the printmaking studio, and being encouraged to spend my free time in said studio – that really shaped my work ethic and empowered me to prioritize making art."

Read her story.

Degree Programs

Undergraduate Degrees

  • Art

    BA
    Undergraduate

    The art + design major is a liberal arts curriculum structured to give the student an in-depth experience in the visual arts with an emphasis on studio production. It encourages students to develop creativity through discovery along with an ability to observe and analyze. Throughout their curriculum students: expand their ability to use verbal, written, and visual language effectively; to develop methodologies; to think logically and solve problems practically; to feel comfortable with new technologies and understand their impact on modern society. In addition, students learn to examine issues in an historical context and develop the ability to make ethical judgments.

     

    Apply now
    Program Requirements

Minors and Concentrations

  • Graphic Design

    Minor
    Undergraduate

    Both the graphic design and interactive multimedia minors enhance your current major by preparing you to integrate design thinking and visual problem solving. Practitioner faculty help you learn the essential design skills to give our career path an extra boost. You will learn in two state of the art Apple computer labs designed with collaboration in mind. Our computers are loaded with the most recent industry-standard software for design, imaging, illustration and motion graphic and coding.

    Program Requirements

  • 2-Dimensional Art

    Minor
    Undergraduate

    Our studio art minors offer you an outlet to explore your creative passions while also pursuing an alternative career path. In addition to exploring personal interests, you will learn how the studio arts act as a catalyst to changing hearts and minds by addressing contemporary global, national and regional issues.  

    Program Requirements

  • 3-Dimensional Art

    Minor
    Undergraduate

    Our studio art minors offer you an outlet to explore your creative passions while also pursuing an alternative career path. In addition to exploring personal interests, you will learn how the studio arts act as a catalyst to changing hearts and minds by addressing contemporary global, national and regional issues.

    Program Requirements

  • Interactive Multimedia

    Minor
    Undergraduate

    Both the graphic design and interactive multimedia minors enhance your current major by preparing you to integrate design thinking and visual problem solving. Practitioner faculty help you learn the essential design skills to give our career path an extra boost. You will learn in two state of the art Apple computer labs designed with collaboration in mind. Our computers are loaded with the most recent industry-standard software for design, imaging, illustration and motion graphic and coding.

    Program Requirements

  • Photography

    Minor
    Undergraduate

    Comprised of both darkroom and digital courses, the photography minor offers you contemporary skills to supplement your current career path. Topics covered in minor courses include studio lighting, alternative darkroom processes and advanced digital image manipulation. The photography minor is an exciting and creative addition to any major at Salem State University.

    Program Requirements

  • 3-D Studio

    Concentration
    Undergraduate

    The 3-D studio concentration provides an in depth experience in specific three-dimensional areas and prepares the student for graduate study. Courses include Ceramic Handbuilding; Glassblowing; Jewelry; Sculpture I; Sculpture II; Ceramics; Wheelthrowing; and Topics in Contemporary Art.

    Apply now
    Program Requirements

  • Art History

    Concentration
    Undergraduate

    The art history concentration provides an opportunity to acquire a broad background in Western and Non-Western art. It prepares the student for graduate study leading to MA and PhD degrees. Upon completion of graduate study, career opportunities in museum work, art restoration, teaching and research are available. 

    Apply now
    Program Requirements

  • Graphic Design

    Concentration
    Undergraduate

    The graphic design concentration prepares the student for a future in commercial art and advertising design, and is committed to the development of both creative thinking and technical proficiency in the field.  Facilities include design and production studios, two state of the art Macintosh computer labs with color printers, desktop scanners, and the latest design and illustration software.

    Apply now
    Program Requirements

  • Interactive Multimedia

    Concentration
    Undergraduate

    The interactive multimedia concentration prepares the art major for a career in interactive multimedia design and is committed to the development of both creative thinking and technical proficiency in the field. Courses in interactive multimedia include Introduction to Electronic Media; Typography; Electronic Illustration; Electronic Imaging; Web Design; Advanced Web Design; Video and Animation; and Multimedia Design. Facilities include design and production studios, two state of the art Macintosh computer labs with color printers, desktop scanners, and the latest design and multimedia software.

    Apply now
    Program Requirements

  • Photography

    Concentration
    Undergraduate

    The concentration in photography focuses on photographic techniques, darkroom skills, and sound design principles, thereby preparing students for a creative photographic career or a career in commercial photography. Courses in photography include Photography I; Photography II; Commercial Photography; Portrait Photography; Color Photography; Digital Studio Photography; Large Format Photography; and Advanced Commercial Photography. Facilities include a black and white dark room and professional studios for portrait, large format, digital, and commercial photography.

    Apply now
    Program Requirements

  • Painting

    Concentration
    Undergraduate

    The painting concentration provides an in depth experience in painting as a medium for creative expression. Upon graduation, the student may either establish a studio or continue to study at the graduate level. Courses in the concentration include Representational Painting; Watercolor Painting; Landscape Painting; Non Representational Painting; Mixed Media Painting, and Topics in Contemporary Art.

    Apply now
    Program Requirements

  • Printmaking

    Concentration
    Undergraduate

    The printmaking concentration provides an in depth experience in fine art printmaking. Upon graduation, the student may either establish a studio or continue to study at the graduate level. Courses in the concentration include Screenprinting; Intaglio; Lithography; Relief; Monoprinting; Advanced Printmaking; and Topics in Contemporary Art.

    Apply now
    Program Requirements
Title

What We Do in Art + Design

What We Do in Art + Design

An art + design student works at graphic design on a computer.

We provide the knowledge students need to be become agile practicing artists and designers in an economy that relies on visual creative thinkers to make sense of a complex and evolving world. The act of creating adds to the richness of material culture though the introduction of pleasurable, aesthetic and useful “things” that surround us every day.

Further, the practice of informed creation encourages a more mindful approach to problem solving generally. Art by it’s very nature is an interdisciplinary act of connecting disparate ideas and images with the end goal of creating something novel. Through the application of learned processes, principles and practices, art + design will help you makes sense of ideas in ways that make a profound impact on the world. 

Additional Information

Back to top