OVERVIEW
Digital Media
Digital Media is offered collaboratively by Computational Arts (School of Arts, Media, Performance, and Design) and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Lassonde School of Engineering), fusing arts and media with engineering. In the program students use code and programming as tools for creative expression in forms such as games, immersive and 3D environments, internet of things (IoT), interactive performance, and data visualization.
Work in digital media focuses on a broad range of current and emerging forms of digitally supported media, with applications that range from software development to video games and interactive media art. The name Digital Media reflects the breadth and the hybrid nature of the area of study, which applies the methods and theories of computer science and art to the design, implementation, evaluation and study of the multitude of forms found in contemporary digital media.
Digital Media responds to a well-established worldwide interest in the hybridization of art and science practices and methodologies. Students work within a shared environment that enables them to develop expertise across computational science and artistic practice, work in teams, and to develop interdisciplinarity. In Digital Media students integrate critical artistic discourse and scientific inquiry with broad application to the creative industries of tomorrow, including next-generation performance, screens, mixed reality, informatics, data visualization, games, mobile applications development, and new contemporary art forms.
In the program, students begin with an 18-month common core, and then branch into one of three streams according to their interests and goals. In upper-year courses, students work independently and collaborate on ambitious group projects, allowing them to advance their individual interests and gain valuable large-scale development skills. In addition to gaining in-depth knowledge with cutting edge technology, students graduate with the creative skills for the future of work, including computational thinking, sensemaking, resilience, teamwork, and human-machine collaboration.
HIGHLIGHTS
Top 6 reasons to apply
Ontario’s only degree program that integrates visual and performing arts, computer science and engineering.
Learn computational thinking, teamwork, resilience and skills for the future.
Explore creative expression through innovating technology.
Professional internship opportunities through Lassonde’s Co-op office.
Work in cutting edge research labs and state of the art classroom facilities.
Great career opportunities.
First 18 months
OVERVIEW
In the first 18 months of the program students in the Digital Media program complete a common core curriculum built from a mix of courses from Computational Arts and Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. Topics such as interactive art, programming, and critical studies provide students with the theoretical and practical background needed to succeed in the program, as well as in the future of the field.
Sample courses
Introduction to Interactive Digital Media I & II
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Fundamentals of Digital Media Studies
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Media Signal Processing
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Publishing in Digital Media
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Net-Centric Computing
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Programming for Digital Media
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Building Interactive Systems
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YOUR CHOICE OF THREE STREAMS
Year two to four
During their second year students choose between three streams according to their interests and goals.
OVERVIEW
Video Games are a defining cultural form of the 21st century. The Digital Media Games Arts stream has an expansive and forward looking perspective on game education through the exploration of a range of delivery platforms. In the Digital Media Game Arts streams students learn the skills of game development and design from concept to production. Students gain hands-on experience working with professional game engines, with the dissemination of work in various platforms and cultural contexts (mobile media, web-based, gallery, urban gaming, etc.), with an approach that incorporates interdisciplinary collaboration and new frontiers of gaming. In addition, the Digital Media Game Arts Stream examins new and cutting edge trends in video game development, such as in the areas of alt gaming, queer games, Not Games, and urban gaming where the potential and boundaries of games and game play are being challenged and tested.
Sample courses
Game Development I & II
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Game Mechanics
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Introduction to 3D Modelling
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Introduction to 3D Animation
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Game History, Genre, and New Directions
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Collaborative Project Development in Games
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OVERVIEW
The Digital Media Arts stream focuses on the creation of digital media performance and artistic expression through technology. With its blend of offerings in digital performance, physical computing and fabrication, and mixed reality, the program inhabits the spaces between the virtual and the physical, encouraging a seamless continuum between virtual reality and the world we inhabit. While placing more emphasis on offerings in AMPD, the stream in Digital Media Arts emphasizes the use of creative coding, computational and systems thinking as methods for creative expression. The Digital Media Arts stream has the most flexibility of the three streams. Students can pursue a range of interests from creative technology to art who are exploring the cutting edge of new media and new contemporary art forms.
Sample courses
Artificial Life, Generative Art and Creative Code
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Creative Data Visualization
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Electro-Acoustic Orchestra
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The Interactive Stage
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Physical Computing I-III
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Digital Fabrication
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OVERVIEW
Placing more emphasis on offerings in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, the Digital Media Development stream focuses on the design of core tools and technologies supporting digital media practices. This stream provides a specialized track into our most advanced options in Digital Media such as low-level game development, human-computer interaction, signal processing, virtual reality, machine learning, and simulation. Students in this stream are well situated to work in areas of low-level digital media and tool development that represent a high-demand sector in the creative industries. As with all of our streams, topics are taught in a manner that encourages resilience and adaptability in the ever-shifting landscape of new media technology, so that graduates are positioned to adopt new technologies and paradigms as they arise and keep on the cutting edge of the field for the unforeseeable future.
Sample courses
Advanced Topics in 3D Computer Graphics
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Human-Computer Interaction
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Mobile User Interfaces
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Digital Audio
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Introduction to Virtual Reality
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Simulation and Animation for Computer Games
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YEAR BY YEAR OVERVIEW
Learning Outcomes
APPLICATION PROCESS
How to apply
1Choose the program that combines your interests.
- Make note of the deadlines.
- Check to make sure your program is still accepting applications.
- Ensure you’ve met all admission requirements.
- Make sure you have all the required documents.
- Ready to apply? Move to Step 3.
Use this application if:
- You want to apply to degree studies for any session (Ontario high-school students should see their guidance office). Fee Information.
- You’re a mature or university/college applicant (if you’re applying to more than one university). Fee Information.
Apply Now
B. York University ApplicationUse this application if:
- You are a mature, international or university/college transfer applicant (if you’re only applying to York), OR
- You want to take courses as a Visiting Student, OR
- You want to apply to a certificate, OR
- You are currently taking a York pre-University/”Bridging” course or YUELI course
Fees: $130 payable by Visa, Visa Debit or MasterCard (non-refundable)
Apply Now
Admission to the Digital Media (BA Specialized Honours) program is based solely on academic performance. Applications to this program are accepted for Fall (September), Winter (January) and Summer (May) entry.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email containing your York reference ID. This email will be sent approximately 5-10 business days after you submit your application. Please complete step 4 once you have your York Reference ID.
- Make sure all your documents arrive before the deadline.
- If you haven’t already, book a tour.
- Check out our public events and performances* taking place throughout the season.
- Check your application status.
- Be prepared to apply for scholarships, awards & bursaries after you’ve been accepted.
- Take a look at info on Financial Aid.
*During the coronavirus pandemic public events on campus have been cancelled.
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