Digital Arts and Design, BS
Program Quick Facts
Credits
120
Start Terms
Fall
|Spring
Available
On Campus
Tuition
$8,956.50
estimated cost per semester
The Bachelor of Science in Digital Arts and Design at Dakota State University prepares students to build careers at the intersection of creativity and technology. This program blends artistic expression with technical skill, giving you the tools to create engaging digital content across media platforms.
Students develop expertise in areas such as animation, sound design, graphic arts, and multimedia production while gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard tools. Whether your interests lie in entertainment, marketing, or interactive design, this program provides the foundation to bring your ideas to life.
Curriculum and experience highlights
2D Visual Development Art - Ashlyn Johnson
2D Animation - Pete Welborn
Sound Design – Abbie Pillen
3D Modeling and Texturing - Maddie Gaikowski
2D Visual Development Art - Avery Grover
Game - Caleb Ortman
3D Modeling and Texturing - Lily Epp
3D Modeling and Texturing - Noah Paxton
2D Animation - Cienna Raap
3D Modeling and Texturing - Lauryn Strand
2D Animation - Mathew Rusche
3D Animation - Beau Headrick
Game Model- Irvan Damiba
2D Visual Development Art - Trissa Morseman
2D Animation - Avery Grover
3D Modeling and Texturing - Noah Paxton
Experience beyond the classroom
All students in the Digital Arts and Design program complete an internship, gaining real-world experience that bridges classroom learning and professional practice. Outside of class, students stay engaged through hands-on opportunities like DSU Live events, recording sessions, and collaborative campus projects, as well as involvement in art, animation, photography, and film clubs. Production animation students may also see their work gain broader recognition, with projects selected for festivals like the Portland Film Festival and Lift-off Global Network.
Learn by creating
Coursework in the Digital Arts and Design program emphasizes applied learning through projects that reflect real-world creative environments, allowing students to build a professional portfolio as they develop their skills. Across specializations, students explore both the technical and artistic sides of their craft—whether creating immersive audio that enhances storytelling in film, gaming, and multimedia, or producing short films, character animations, and collaborative projects using professional tools. Through this process, students grow as creative problem-solvers, gaining confidence in their ability to bring ideas to life.
Choose your specialization
The sound design specialization is ideal for students who want to explore how audio shapes media and enhances storytelling. This path provides a strong foundation in recording, editing, and producing sound using modern tools and technologies. Students gain experience creating audio for a range of applications, including music, film, and interactive media, while also developing collaboration and problem-solving skills. Through hands-on learning and real-world opportunities, graduates are prepared for careers in studios, live events, and the evolving digital media landscape.
Students interested in visual communication can pursue the computer graphics specialization, where design principles and digital technology come together to create impactful visual content. Through the study of typography, color theory, composition, and digital tools, students learn to design effective graphics for a variety of media. With hands-on projects, portfolio development, and a focus on creativity, problem-solving, and visual storytelling, this path prepares graduates for careers in graphic design, marketing, web design, and multimedia production.
The production animation specialization focuses on the art and process of creating motion for film, gaming, and digital media. Students explore the full animation pipeline, from concept development and storyboarding to modeling, rigging, and final production. Working with both 2D and 3D techniques, you’ll gain experience using professional tools to create characters, environments, and visual effects. By graduation, you’ll have a refined portfolio that demonstrates your ability to bring ideas to life and contribute to collaborative multimedia projects.
"I definitely wouldn't have achieved any of my work without DSU's technology. They have been so incredibly helpful with the tools, resources, and equipment–like the drawing tablets that they provide."
- 2025 graduate, Beau Headrick’s 2D animation “DAYTRIP” was selected for several film festivals, one of them international.
Notable courses
This course introduces students to the Digital Arts and Design program and the creative industries it supports. Students explore foundational concepts, current trends in digital media, and the collaborative nature of creative work while learning how to navigate program resources and build strategies for academic and professional success.
This course introduces the fundamental principles of animation, focusing on movement, timing, and visual storytelling. Students develop an understanding of how to create believable motion through hands-on projects and analysis, building a strong foundation in animation techniques.
This course provides a foundation in audio recording and digital editing techniques. Students learn how professional audio systems function, including microphones, mixing workflows, and digital audio workstations, while gaining hands-on experience creating and manipulating sound.
This course explores the design process and principles of visual communication using digital tools. Students develop skills in digital illustration, layout, and image manipulation while working with typography, color, and composition to create effective visual designs.
This course focuses on the principles of visual storytelling across digital media. Students learn how to plan and communicate ideas through storyboards, developing skills in sequencing, composition, and narrative structure for animation, film, and interactive projects.
Why choose DSU?
Animation experts in the classroom and on screen
The professors in the digital arts and design program are accomplished professionals who bring real-world experience and strong portfolios into the classroom. Their industry expertise ensures a high-quality, career-focused education while helping you build valuable connections. Faculty are actively engaged in the field. Associate Professor Daniel Welynn’s animated short "Karuk Fire Race" has been featured at multiple film festivals, including The World’s Independent Film Festival in San Francisco. Assistant Professor of Practice Konrad Lightner has contributed to major Disney productions such as "Encanto," "Frozen," and "Zootopia."
Creativity meets technology
Students in the digital arts and design program have access to modern facilities that support professional-level work in audio production, animation, and digital design. These spaces are designed to mirror industry environments, giving students hands-on experience with the tools and technologies they will use in their careers. Emphasizing a technology-driven approach to creativity, the program helps students master professional workflows while developing their own unique creative voice.
Faculty
Launch your creative career
Graduates of the digital arts and design program are prepared to enter a wide range of creative and technology-driven industries, where demand for digital content continues to grow. By the time you graduate, you will have built a strong portfolio, gained hands-on experience, and developed both the technical expertise and creative problem-solving skills employers are looking for. With a focus on applied learning, industry relevance, and mentorship from experienced faculty, the program equips you to confidently transition from the classroom into a professional creative career.
