Digital Media

The Convergence of Art & Computer Science

Digital technology is changing how we do everything. Think that you’re using an online shopping cart to buy your course textbooks, using an app on your phone to find out the weather, competing against your friends in an online immersive gaming environment or confirming your insurance benefits online. This is all digital media – computer-based, networked technologies that represent and imagine the world. It’s the new standard for literacy in the 21st century.

 In York’s four-year BA program, you’ll engage with contemporary digital culture from a dual arts and science perspective that encompasses technology, media art, culture and communications. This is a challenging and rewarding program that balances thinking and making, a place that will encourage you to express your unique ideas in professional ways.

Students applying to the Specialized Honours BA Program in Digital Media have the choice of being in either the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design or the Lassonde School of Engineering. While the required core courses for all Digital Media students are the same, students in the different Faculties may choose different elective courses in accordance with their interests.

 Practical application and support

To provide Digital Media students with hands-on, experiential education opportunities, we offer a Technology Internship Program whose defining feature is hands-on course work in arts studios or computing labs, with exhibitions to showcase students’ creative talents. Peer mentoring is also an integral part of the program. Learn more about SAMs and mentoring at Lassonde.

 What can you do with a Digital Media degree?

Digital workers can find jobs in consulting, academia, the arts, the media, marketing, communications and training. Careers in demand include digital videographer, animator, digital composer, web designer, graphic designer, video and interactive multimedia creator, media agency/advertiser, digital content manager, researcher, journalist, computer forensics technician, music promoter, film producer, archival strategist, museum asset curator, gallery owner and management consultant.

York will prepare you for careers – some of which might not yet exist – that embrace new technologies and skills.

 

Need a place to start? TalentEgg has an article entitled “5 Things Students and Grads Need to Know about Canada’s Digital Media Industry”, and Media Planet has written an informative piece about interactive digital media in Ontario.

York’s Career Centre provides information about careers with a Digital Media degree, including a list of industry-specific associations. You might also check out Media Careers in Canada for a list of possible career paths to give you an idea of the breadth of opportunity.