Explore the boundless potential of digital and electronic media to generate new modes of expression that transcend conventional norms. Our curriculum empowers students to master off-the-shelf software while also integrating novel techniques revealed through studio experimentation, delivering innovation equally prescient in the fine art or commercial sector.
The MFA in Interactive Arts cultivates the exploration of the critical issues of our growing digital cultures — through participation in physical installations, interactive objects, machine learning / AI, augmented and virtual reality simulations and networked-based applications. Self-discovery, societal transformation, and critical reflection are recurrent themes in the MFA studios.
The MFA Interactive Arts degree is a two-year, 60-credit program for prospective students, with a creative arts/design background. While this degree focuses on artistry with cutting-edge technology, varying levels of incoming technical knowledge is accommodated.
The Department of Digital Arts prepares and develops innovative artists through rigorous immersion in a diverse culture of excellence. Students pursue self-directed, multidisciplinary projects in state of the art facilities guided by a faculty of accomplished working artists in New York City. Our concentrations emphasize experimentation, refinement and professionalism.
What We Offer
Studies feature a thesis process, working closely with a committee and mentor, supplemented by one-on-one visits with national and international guest artists. Studio practices find numerous opportunities for collaboration and exhibiting artwork (on campus, throughout New York, and internationally) throughout their studies, and in culmination through a graduate exhibition in a New York City professional gallery space.
Physical Computing
This course provides the foundation for using electronics and micro-controllers as engines for interactive art. It covers the basic theory of electronics and introduces the Arduino hardware platform and programming language through robotics and physical computing applications. It prepares students to research and adopt emerging technologies as a means for artistic expression.
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Interactive Media
This course introduces students to the principles of computer-based interactivity. Students combine two-dimensional imaging and graphics authoring as well as audio and visual technology for achieving interactivity from multiple source media. Interface design and scripting tools are covered.
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Interactive Installations
In this studio course students explore the field of interactive installation art, producing and installing works for exhibition and critique in the DDA Gallery. The focus is on expanding students’ digital toolsets to manifest themselves in the physical space of a professional gallery. Additionally, students present and lead discussions on research related to their creative agenda, and learn effective practices for creating documentation of installed work.
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Subverting Digital Media
Students learn to explore their creative and potentially non-conformist ideas within the context of digital media practices. Students engage in a self-directed practical as well as theoretical inquiry into digital media.
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The Experience
The Interactive Arts MFA journey is grounded in the pursuit of mastering digital technologies, cultivating personal growth, and driving societal impact through fine art. A range of skills-focused courses interrogate the latest software, hardware, and other emerging technological systems, exploring their innovative applications in digital and physical environments. Through seminars, workshops, and a visiting artist series, students gain a comprehensive framework for sharing, debating, and evaluating the historical and contemporary advancements within the field.
New York City serves as the ideal catalyst for this experience. Through in-class and extracurricular excursions, students tap into our unique position at the vanguard of contemporary art practice.
Student Work
Take a look at examples of work by recent Digital Arts students, and imagine what you might be able to do!
Digital Arts Facilities
Students in the Interactive Arts MFA have excellent studios with access to several digital computing facilities that are outfitted with state of the art Apple and Windows computer stations. These computers are loaded with top of the line software including Maya, Houdini, TouchDesigner, MaxMSP, Nuke, ToonBoom, Adobe Suite, ProTools, and much more.
MFA students have access to shared Digital Arts facilities that include a green screen room, audio editing suite, a variety of 3D printers, laser cutter, ink-jet printers and a world-class surround-sound VR production/presentation suite. Further access to Pratt Institute facilities is also possible, including fine art workshops and a large photogrammetry volume.
Internships
The Department of Digital Arts and Animation offers an internship program tailored to digital artists. Throughout the academic year, students partake in internship opportunities at a variety of studios and companies in the metropolitan New York area, gaining skills and experience in areas covering animation, visual effects, motion graphics, game design, interaction design, fine arts, and publishing. The internship program places students on their career paths, providing experiences that aid in determining their educational and professional goals. Internships may be taken for college credit by both undergraduate and graduate students. While the Department has our own Internship Coordinator, students may also want to visit Pratt’s extensive network and dedicated staff that supports and facilitates Internships and Industry Connections.
Learning Resources
We develop disciplinary fluency in our program of study and we celebrate the interdisciplinary nature of design critical to address the plurality and complexity of the environments in which we operate. Learning resources
Our Faculty
Pratt’s distinguished faculty of outstanding creative professionals and scholars share a common desire to develop each student’s potential and creativity to the fullest. Bringing different views, methods, and perspectives they provide a rigorous educational model in which students make and learn.
Digital Arts graduates become leading contributors to the arts with a commitment to the cultural enrichment of society. After graduation, Pratt Alumni can be found featured in important publications, exhibiting in galleries and new media institutions and working in major creative industries.
Our alumni are leaders at top institutions including Apple Computer, Phillips Electronics, IBM Watson Research Labs, and MoMA and go on to exhibit at SPRING/BREAK Art Show, Whitney Museum of American Art, SFMoMA, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and the New Museum.
Join us at Pratt. Learn more about admissions requirements, plan your visit, talk to a counselor, and start your application. Take the next step.
You’ll find yourself at home at Pratt. Learn more about our residence halls, student organizations, athletics, gallery exhibitions, events, the amazing City of New York and our Brooklyn neighborhood communities. Check us out.
FALL 2024 workshop is coming
For sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdIqv7TMOZCzs21MJgupbd5EvKwQMBfR62Iakovj-yjzgTB5g/viewform
Generative AI for modeling and 3D printing
Explore the future of 3D form-making with this 2-hour hands-on workshop.
We will explore various image-to-3D and text-to-3D techniques and harness the power of Generative AI to create 3D models and characters.
By the end of the workshop, you will have created a unique 3D model or miniature, ready for 3D printing.
*A basic working knowledge of Blender is required.
Workshop on November Monday 11th 2024
4:00-6:00 pm / 6:30-8.30 pm
Generative AI for Animation
A 2-hour workshop where we dive into the transformative world of generative AI for animation.
We will introduce you to a range of cutting-edge generative AI techniques and workflows.
With hands-on demonstrations, you’ll explore AI rendering techniques in Blender, discovering how AI can automate and enhance your animation processes.
We‘ll also delve into various image-to-animation workflows, showcasing innovative approaches to bringing static images to life.
*A working knowledge of Blender is required.
Workshop on November Monday 25th 2024
4:00-6:00 pm / 6:30-8.30 pm
Generative AI for Game Design
In this 2-hour workshop on Generative AI for Games you’ll explore how AI can transform game development, from asset creation to character design.
This hands-on session will introduce you to experimental tools and workflow, helping you integrate generative AI into your own projects.
*Basic knowledge of Blender is required.
Workshop on November Monday 18th 2024
4:00-6:00 pm/ 6:30-8.30 pm
A huge thank you to Bianca Bosker (@bbosker), bestselling author of Get the Picture, a must-read account about navigating the contemporary art world. Bianca visited Prof. Steven Pestana‘s ”Emerging Practices in Art, Technology, and Culture“ class to share her wide-ranging insights, offering invaluable advice on understanding art, its contexts, and the craft and nuances of writing about it.
Thanks to Suzanne Anker for welcoming Prof. Steven Pestana’s class ”Emerging Practices in Art, Technology and Culture“ to SVA‘s Bio Art Lab for an inspiring conversation about the exciting field of Bio Art!
STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF +ALUMNI OF DDA LET US BRAE ABOUT YOUR WORK!
EMAIL YOUR PROJECTS, AWARDS, AND COLLABORATIONS WITH A DESCRIPTION TO
ddasocialmedia@pratt.edu
TO BE DISPLAYED ON OUR
INSTAGRAM AND NEWSLETTER!
Today from Best of DDA we feature:
“Honey Tears” by Meah Nizan. Meah was awarded Best 3D BFA in Show.
Also featured is “Project Sisyphus” by Emma McJessy.
From Best of DDA: Today we feature two more films...
First we have a still from “Fight & Flight” by Michelle Yu
Featured second, “Memory Motel” by Vivian Vazquez
Today from the Best of DDA we feature:
“Wasm” by Loujain Alzahrani. Loujain was awarded Best MFA in Show.
“So Disgusting!” by Fran Moore. Fran received the award for Best MFA Story.
Here are some stills from best of DDA…
First we have “Último Día” by Sofia Arbaiza Martinez. Sofia is this year’s winner of Best 2D BFA in Show.
Also featured is a still from the 3D film “Wormhole”. Wormhole was created by Logan Shanahan. Logan received the award for Best 3D BFA Story.
Congratulations to the both of you.
