Program Overview
Add new shades of expertise to your palette by blending the traditional with the contemporary. As an Art and Design Media major, you will experience the best of both worlds, merging study in classic studio arts, such as painting, drawing, and ceramics, with training in modern-day digital media, such as animation and 3D printing. Engage your creative side while learning real-world skills that are applicable across fields and disciplines. Make your “mark” at UNE.

Why UNE for Art and Design Media
Whether your specialty is landscape painting or video production, we focus not just on the art itself but its impact on other disciplines, encouraging you to make connections between your personal experience and the arts, sciences, social sciences, and the environment.
- Intriguing internships
- Flexible curriculum allowing for double majors and minors
- Class sizes of 15 or smaller
- Emphasis on community engagement and local arts
- Access to medical and science faculty for study of scientific illustration
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration
Academics
Examples of Available Courses
There are many ways you can navigate the Art and Design Media major. The following are just some examples of the exciting courses that you can take:
- Drawing
- Ceramics
- Watercolor
- Landscape Painting
- Graphic Design
- Boat Building
- Scientific Illustration
- Digital Animation
- Photography
Curriculum
To learn more about the program visit the Academic Catalog.
Changes were made to this program in an addendum to the 2022/23 academic calendar. Please see the 2022–2023 Catalog Addendum (PDF) for the most recent information. As always, it is recommended that students seek the guidance of Academic Advisors for course and program planning. In this way, you will be able to access all the most up-to-date information available.
Discover UNE's Art Programs
Find Your Career
As an Art and Design Media major, you will master technical skills in centuries-old crafts as well as cutting-edge modern applications. In addition, you will develop a flair for self-expression, a talent for interpreting complex ideas, and dexterity in adopting different perspectives – skills that transcend job categories and will help distinguish you in a wide array of professions.
Our graduates have pursued many fascinating professions, including:
- Graphic Designer
- Digital Animator
- Photographer
- Arts Educator
- Web Designer
- Fine Artist
- Video Producer
- Illustrator
- Ceramicist
Career Advising
Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.
Tour the Creative and Fine Arts Facilities
Explore Art Studio Spaces With UNE Students Johnna and Will
Learn about the different studio spaces along with the ceramics, printmaking, and digital photography lab in the Creative and Fine Arts facility.
Take a Virtual Tour of the Creative and Fine Arts Building
Experiential Learning
Get out your smock because we don’t teach art and design from a textbook. Our classes emphasize hands-on, real-world learning that stirs your imagination, ignites your creativity, and prepares you for a successful professional career. At the easel, in the darkroom, by the potter’s wheel, or with your computer, get ready to create your future.
Internships
Internships provide valuable field experience, giving you an opportunity to explore career options and network with professionals. You may intern near campus during the academic year or in your hometown over the summer.
Our students have held internships in many exciting positions, such as:
- Graphic Designer
- Editorial Art Assistant
- Photography Aide
- Assistant Music Teacher
- Gallery Assistant
For more information email Donna Gaspar Jarvis in the Academic and Career Advising Center at dgaspar@une.edu.
Art Opportunities
Art Gallery
The Art Gallery on UNE's Portland Campus houses a permanent collection of paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculptures by nationally and internationally renowned artists. It mounts six exhibitions each year in a variety of media that ranges from contemporary fine art to photography, to international themes, to works by women and by Maine artists.
From June through October, the gallery presents an Annual Sculpture Garden around its exterior. On occasion, different exhibitions are arranged at other locations on our Portland and Biddeford campuses.
Events
The Office of Student Affairs collaborates with our Art programs to bring a variety of arts events to the Biddeford Campus, ranging from lunchtime concerts at the Alfond Cafe to poetry readings, to gallery exhibits at the Campus Center and Engine gallery in downtown Biddeford.
Portland Art Scene
Portland's art scene includes the Portland Museum of Art, SPACE Gallery, and numerous private and nonprofit art galleries.