Through hands-on courses and individualized instruction by professors working in the industry, the program prepares students to transfer to four-year universities or step off campus and directly into a creative career with the confidence to keep growing.
Learn more about the program and hear directly from faculty and students in Delta’s Art & Design spotlight video.
More than the basics
Students in the program explore a variety of artistic disciplines, and faculty say the goal extends far beyond learning a single style.
“I present students with basic principles, and I introduce processes that can help them find the solution to their questions,” Art Professor Andrew Rieder said. “Sometimes they find a different way of doing it or a variation of the same process that works better for them. I find that rewarding as a teacher, when a student can find their own path or their own voice within the structure that I have given them.”
That philosophy carries throughout the program, where instructors help students develop the foundations needed to adapt as the creative industry continues to evolve.
“We focus on the essentials of what you would need to know so you can build upon those,” said Program Coordinator Michael Glowacki. “What I teach in my classes, I'd like to think, is for students to be able to continue to teach themselves after the class ends.”
Faculty members also bring current industry standards and opportunities into the classroom, helping students connect their coursework to real-world projects and internships.
Growing your craft
For students, the program’s greatest strength is the opportunity to explore styles and mediums outside of their comfort zone while receiving specialized support from faculty.
“I thought I was only good at very specific styles,” student Marielle Bibiana Wilson said. “I found out that I was better at something I had never tried until college, so it really helped me.”
That willingness to experiment has also opened opportunities for students like Lindsay Welch, who discovered new interests while working with industry-standard software, ceramics and page design.
“Having those hands-on experiences in your classes and being able to transition from your college courses and classes to working...is vital,” Welch said. “Because without those, without that support, without that hands on experience in your classes and learning to do things by yourself, you won't be able to succeed in your career.”
Students in the program are encouraged to build portfolios and collaborate with peers to apply what they learn beyond the classroom. Preparing them for careers in graphic design, illustration, fine arts, animation and more.
“It really was a home away from home for me,” Wilson said. “I’ve made lifelong friends here.”
Learn more about the Art & Design program, and all Delta’s programs at delta.edu/programs.
By Mikaila Bluew, writer & editor
